Last November or December – when I was about knee-deep in my year of illness, hospitalizations, procedures, and surgeries – I had occasion to meet Lisa Mentesana, the Title X Homeless/Social Support Liaison for the Beaverton School District (BSD).
If you attend Cedar Mill Bible Church you may remember the presentation that was done at that time – shortly before Christmas. It was either shortly before we wrapped up our YarnFest knitting focus for Hearthstone in Beaverton, or shortly after. (Sorry – being sick for so long has really done a number on my memory!)
It was explained to us at that time that there were nearly 900 homeless students – ages 5 to 18 – in the Beaverton School District. We learned that a homeless student:
“…includes any child or youth living in shared housing with friends or families due to economic hardship, temporary foster care, motels or hotels, campgrounds, inadequate trailer homes, substandard housing, cars, abandoned buildings, parks, streets, public spaces, shelters (including shelters for emergencies, domestic violence, youth and transitional housing), and unaccompanied youth without parents or guardians.”
Whatever the timing, I just remember the light bulb going on and having my “ah ha” moment – KNOWING – that crafting for the homeless students of Beaverton School District was exactly what I was called to do. I knew I – well, we – needed to craft one item for each of those homeless students.
In the last several months as I’ve been s-l-o-w-l-y healing up and moving on with life, this project has been BIG on my heart. God is not letting me ignore this. HE is nudging me in a big way to get this going and to do it well.
In June the official tally for homeless students in the Beaverton School District was 1,617.
That’s a lot of kids.
That’s a big project.
Gotta do it.
Can’t do it alone.
Will you join me?
If so – here’s The Plan.
If you want to join in – will you email me, or leave a comment here, or call me – my phone number is in the church directory. Okay? Okay!
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More information:
Beaverton has third highest count of homeless youth in Oregon
I’m not in Beaverton, I’m in SE PDX, but I can totally help. I’m a crocheter and I love doing hats and scarves. I have a stash but will also work with donated yarn if need be.
Oh my gosh, Michelle! I don’t know how I missed your comment earlier! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. And yes – we’d love your help! I’ll send you an email right away!
I’m not local — I live in NYC, actually — but an on-line friend of mine linked to your sight and I’d love to help. Is there somewhere I could mail finished products to? I have a lot of time on my hands right now, so I figure I can at least manage to crochet some scarves, maybe even a small blanket or two…
Abigail – you’re a doll! And not the only New Yorker to ask to help out! What a blessing! And so sorry for the delayed response. I don’t know how I didn’t get notification of your comment earlier! I’m sending you a quick email right now!
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Hi Dina,
I’d love to knit for the kids! I have yarn leftover from projects that I can knit some hats or scarves. I’ll try to plan on meeting at the Cedar Mill church on Nov. 12th to bring what I make for the little ones.
What a wonderful idea!
Debbie Madland
Debbie,
Fabulous! We’d love your help! Thank you so much for partnering with us! It would be wonderful to have you join us on the 12th of November! I’ll send you an email in a moment.
Blessings!
I just hear a rumor about hats for the homeless a week ago right before going on a road trip. I was able to crochet 5 from leftover yarn while riding in the car. I’d like to make more. What is the deadline or is it too late to drop off for this year’s project?
Joy! Great to have you on board! I’ll send you an email right away. But, to answer your question – NO! It’s not too late!
Thanks so much for partnering with us!
Blessings!
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