Street Walk

Hey everybody!

Last night our group went on what the CSM leaders called a "Street Walk". We were divived into 5 groups and were led around various parts of Toronto with only a Toonie ($2). Why just a Toonie? Well, we were taking on the role of somebody other than ourselves. The CSM director, Holly, told us a story of a young teen, who we were later to role-play as. Long story short, we had to imagine ourselves as being a teen who was given the choices "keep your mouth shut" or "get out" by their mother after rumors(which were actually true) of sexual abuse from his/her step-father were getting around the neighborhood. Our character is also a 14 year-old...too young to legally be given assistance on the streets. After failing one to many classes, pushing one too many friends away, and the abuse continuing, this teen was pushed to the edge. It was time to leave. And that was where we each picked up the rest of the story. During the walk, we had to try to answer 5 essential questions to ourselves.

1. Where am I going to sleep?
2. How am I going to make any money?
3. What am I going to eat?
4. What will I do for entertainment?
5. What will I do for hygiene or going to the bathroom?

After our walk of many miles (some in the pouring rain) we all came to realize how difficult the homeless truly have it. Their life is no walk in the park. Sometimes people look at them and think they have it easy because they don't have any work to do or bills to pay. Really though, it takes skill and discipline to even survive. We have all come to have a greater appreciation for our great families and homes through this experience.

Chao,
Katelyn Darling (and Rachel's inspriational piano playing)