“When Momma Ain’t Happy . . .”

Years ago the essayist, Ambrose Bierce, wrote, “sweater, n.  Garment worn by a child when its mother is chilly.”  I remember laughing when I read it because it is so true.  Children are always affected by the feelings of the mother.  We see this evidenced again and again by those who come to Shepherd’s Gate.

When a mother comes to us with a child, the staff has many things to consider.  The fact that anyone is coming to a homeless shelter tells us that she is in a crisis situation, and we know that a crisis can cause fear, uncertainty, anger, hurt–and a myriad of other emotions.  On many occasions a woman is crying as she walks through our doors dragging a child behind her.  After seating them, the staff members will then look at the child.  Often we see a magnified version of the emotions plaguing mom.  Often, we are then the ones who cry.  So—-how do we help?

Each woman who comes to our shelter is assigned a case worker to help her.  They will discuss her issues and  then work together to find solutions  to the problems that brought her through our doors. As she finds work, saves money, gets her name on housing lists, she begins to see a light at the end of her tunnel. She begins to feel hopeful. In the hopefulness, she begins to find a sense of happiness!  And we all know that when momma’s happy—everybody’s happy!!!