All of us have seen the signs of homelessness throughout our local communities, both literally and figuratively. We’ve encountered people standing in the rain and snow at the end of highway exit ramps. We’ve walked past people crouched in doorways as we head to the theater or a restaurant. We’ve listened to the plaintive sounds of a worn saxophone played by a man at the street intersection. The scenes are simultaneously commonplace, vivid, poignant, and, perhaps, troubling. What thoughts cross your minds when you encounter these members of our communities? Who are these people? How did they get to this place in life? How do you respond? Do you respond? Today we hear from two social workers—Sara Melucci and Megan Smith—who spend their days – and nights – connecting in deep and meaningful ways with people who struggle with homelessness.
Sara Melucci is an outreach worker for, and the manager of the House of Hope outreach programs. Megan Smith is an outreach worker with the House of Hope and a doctoral student in social work at Boston University. The House of Hope can be reached at thehouseofhopecdc.org and 401-463-3324
