September Newsletter

The Question

By Ellen Weir - Team 1

In one of the more "dangerous" parts of town, I saw once again the woman who is noticeably mentally ill and drug-consumed. She speaks nearly incoherently, and always looks angry. Yet each time she reaches out for her sandwich bag, water, and care bag, then silently walks away. I sense she knows us by now, and we feel somehow, in her darkness and confusion, we are building a relationship. This time she came up to a group of men we were speaking with. She looked particularly angry, glaring at me, stabbing her finger into the air at me. She went to sit down under a tree. I said, "Ma'am, are you angry with me? Did I do something to upset you?"

Keep Reading...

The Latest Wheels News

N.O.W is Official!

Wheels of Blessings' N.O.W. (Nurturing on Wheels) program began with our first aid/caseworker/referral person, Jake Kauer. Jake went out with Team 1 on September 9 and immediately jumped into action.

An experienced EMT in Charlotte, Jake also particularly worked with its unhoused population, so interacting with Gastonia's homeless flowed naturally for him. He is gentle, respectful, and very kind, in addition to having the skills to assess medical issues. See above: Jake, in dark shirt with sunglasses, with the first persons to start the day.

Field Reports

Team 2 found more camps that both teams had not seen before. Also, Team 2 was relieved to find two people we had not seen since the winter, and happy to know they were OK. We found "John with the suitcase," and a man they also had not seen for months.

"We are so happy to see them again and they with us. We are relieved, knowing they are OK". Mary Kane

Keep Reading...