 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 |
|
 |
|
In helping the homeless, teens learn a life lesson
Sun-Sentinel February 20, 2007 By: Jerry Berrios Local teens from several Broward boys and girls clubs served breakfast to 275 people in a Lauderhill soup kitchen Monday, and learned about homelessness up close. Instead of hanging out at the mall, going to the movies. Or instant messaging their friends on Monday, about 60 young people spent Presidents day helping those in need. The students-ages 12-18- spent the holiday sweeping and moping floors, spreading mulch, sorting items, and serving breakfast to homeless people at the cooperative feeding program in Lauderhill. They also got to see homelessness up close, and learn some important life lessons. One soup kitchen visitor, who would only give his last name- Richardson- stood in the food line 5 minutes, searching for those round sausage patties he hankered. Richardson, who wore a ski cap and a black coat patched together with duct tape, said he hasn't seen anyone in his immediate family in 24 years. He also had a message for the young people that served him. "They have to be careful about the decisions they make" he said. "Or they could end up in the same chairs we are sitting in today." Outside the dinning room, Alfred Brown, who occasionally eats at the soup kitchen, said he wanted to make sure the kids- who came from six boys and girls clubs around Broward- had directions. "What do you want to do in life?" Brown asked a group pf students standing around a box filed with mulch and rake. They answer; a doctor, lawyer, NFL player, and police officer. "If you set your mind to it, pursuit it," said Brown who considers himself a mentor. "I'm giving them my life experience. I'm being real." Monday event was part of a larger boys and girls club initiative called healing the community. The idea for the initiative came from Jerry Gordon, 17, a senior at Stranahan high school in Ft. Lauderdale who is a club member. Jerry wrote a proposal that brought a $5,000 grant and a Miami Dolphins Jr. community quarterback award. With the grant, they boys and girls club purchased the food for Monday's breakfast, including grits, orange juice, cereal, sausage, and coffee. Donated items- socks, shampoo, tooth brushes and tooth paste- filled with hygiene bags which Jerry and others handed out to the 275 people who ate breakfast. Jerry said his goals are to improve the community, get kids off the street, and restore trust between teens and the homeless. That trust has been compromised by recent incidents in which teens attacked homeless men. In the most infamous attack, 3 teens have been charge in a January 2006 killing of a Ft. Lauderdale homeless man and the beating of two others. Billy Ammons, 19, Thomas Daughtery, 18, and Brian Hooks, 19, are charged with first degree murder in the death of Norris Gaynor, 49. They also face attempted murder charges in assault on two other men who lived on the street of Broward. Jerry said he wanted to send a message to other young people that such behavior is wrong. "Maybe they will listen to someone their age," he said. Jillian Corbin, deputy director of the cooperative feeding program, gave the kids some parting words. "You have certainly giving me a lot of inspiration," Corbin said. "Thanks for making a difference." 
|
 |