A message from FESCO's Executive Director, Nancy Schluntz
A series of recent chains of events has increased my awareness of how things come together and take on a life of their own, like ever-expanding ripples on a pond. It really started growing last spring when our Transitional Housing suddenly shifted from dream to real-time project. Maybe the magnitude of that project made it the equivalent of a Universal 2X4 to the side of the head. (Something drastic to get my attention.)
I’ve come to realize how often events link together to create a beneficial outcome. Most of our Shelter residents come to FESCO by referral -- from another agency, a church, word of mouth from other homeless or previously homeless families. One family that stands out in my mind came to us after one of their children went to Children’s Hospital for emergency treatment, and the nurse had heard about FESCO.
Recently we received a call from a local food distributor, wondering if we could use some frozen foods. Of course! But how did they find out about FESCO? The manager had asked if anyone knew of a local charity that could use the food. One of the warehouse workers did -- his mother had heard about us in church, and she told her son. He remembered, and told the manager. A volunteer with truck was dispatched, and then we learned how large this donation was! Cases for immediate use were dropped off at the Shelter, the recently emptied freezer at a church was filled up, and another volunteer located a friendly grocer who was willing to store the rest for awhile. After determining how much was really needed at the Shelter, we shared the rest with a food program -- and met a need of theirs!
In a not-very-different scenario, one funder asked if we also had applied to another funding source, since our program sounded like something that might be of interest to them. He even gave us the address and phone number.
Maybe it’s the time of year, when changing seasons (such as they are in the Bay Area) bring heightened sensitivity to passages and processes. Maybe it’s the awareness of how far The Family Shelter has come since the Coalition was conceived 10 years ago in a community meeting. Their concern for homeless families with children created the ripples that carry us forward today. Maybe it’s also honoring the dream and accomplishments of all the people who are the FESCO Family, yet pivoting to face forward.
Recurring demonstrations of connections that make us a living part of the community and human services network -- people talking to people about FESCO -- are also demonstrations of the ongoing and growing need for the programs we provide. There will be ripples to carry us forward so long as there are homeless families with children who need our services.
Nancy Schluntz