A Circle of Hope

Crystal Parsons can be seen dishing out hot food for hungry families three days a week. She can be seen stuffing boxes full of non-perishable items meant to feed a family of four for a month. She can be seen counseling abused women and offering them an alternative to the constant violence in their lives. She can also be seen crying, alone in her office, at the end of most days.

“You learn to shut your office door, have a good cry, and move on to the next task,”says Parsons. Parsons, 29, is the Seasonal Programs Coordinator at Welland’s Hope Centre.

The Hope Centre is a non-profit organziation that helps families and individuals suffering in poverty. The Hope Centre provides hot meals and clothing to people in need. It also runs programs that help people upgrade their employability skills, or even learn to read. And there is, of course, a food bank, with shelves that require constant restocking of non-perishable items.

“The community doesn’t realize how much of a need for donations there truly is. Especially during the summer months. In the middle of July it is fairly likely we are empty.Eveything is in demand; there is never anything that we dont need .. peanut butter, cereal and Kraft dinner are the hardest items to keep on the shelf.”
Parsons says at Christmas and during the winter months donations are typically generous, but this year donations have been “lower than usual”. Among the usual donations of pasta and canned goods, Parsons says personal hygeine items are always in demand.

“Think about how many basic items you use in a day,” Parsons says. “Having a hot shower and cleaning yourself is a daily ritual most people take for granted, but soaps and shampoos cost money. If someone can’t afford to buy groceries, then they also can’t afford to buy deodernts, diapers or even toothpaste.”

The Hope Centre usually has between “15 to 35 people using the food bank per day,” she says. “It depends on what day or time of the month it is.”

Anyone is welcome to use the resources at the Hope Centre, and Parsons says they have never had to turn a needy person away, however there “have been months where there is no food on the shelves and the most we can offer them is a jar of pickles. That happens and it is a summer reality. Poverty never sleeps. It happens 365 days a year. We always give what we have, but sometimes it is not sufficient to what people need.”
And it is not just single, out-of-work adults coming into the shelter, says Parsons. There are people with disablitiies and addictions; people with jobs that can’t make ends meet; and even entire families.

“It shocks me how many children go without in our society, and there has to be a way to change this. I want them to have a roof over their head; warm pajamas at night, and food in their tummies. I don’t want them to have to line up just to get a warm meal. But it’s better for them to be lining up at our centre than starving and freezing on the streets.”

Parsons began volunteering for a variety of non-profit organizations about four years ago, after she received help from a women’s shelter herself.

“ I was on my own with two little kids. I had just left a very abusive relationship. I began volunteering to give back to the community, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Parsons say “ there are not enough hours in the day” for the Hope Centre to help everyone and she admits that it does become “emotionally draining” at times, especially when children are involved.

“If I could change one thing about the world it would be that no child ever feels pain. That no child ever goes without necessities. Every single person has basic needs. It’s unfortuante because not everyone can attain these needs without assistance.”

And assisting those in need is what Parsons does best. She says she is driven by the need to make a difference in the lives of others less fortuante than herself.

“I’ve been there. I’ve experienced it. I was able to start over, and now I can help others change their lives. It’s what drives me to get through the day. I’m doing what I love.”

Parsons disagrees when she hears people refer to places like the Hope Centre as a “band-aid solutions.” She says that helping people get on their feets and regaining confidence is the first step towards eventual independence.

“You have to take away the stresses of everyday life if you want a broken person to succeed and repair themselves. How can people change their lives if they are constantly having to choose between paying their hydro bill or buying groceries? How can they become self-confident if they can’t even afford to buy shampoo to wash their hair? We do what we can to help lift the burden of stresses they feel, and guide them in the right direction.”

Parsons says when she sees someone come in and leave with a smile and some dignity, it makes her job worth the hours and stress.

“Just seeing the kids happy makes it worth it. When they leave with a new toy or warm clothes, they are leaving with hope.”

And Parsons is probably the only person who can honestly say she would be happy if she lost her job tomorrow.

“I would jump for joy if my services were never needed again! Oh, my gosh, that would be the perfect day,” she laughs. Unfortunately this perfect day will never exist.

“It will not happen in our lifetime. There are far too many changes that need to be made in our system, and not enough force to make those changes right now. So until that happens, I go home to my husband, cry on his shoulder, and have a good sleep. Then I am ready to do it all over again the next day.”