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Words of insight

With a notebook (and gifts of food), students learn about homelessness.

By NICK JOHNSON
Published April 8, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Anne Weller, a teacher in the gifted program at Perkins Elementary, usually begins class by putting chairs in a big circle to have a discussion. The kids are allowed to talk about whatever comes to mind. That routine changed after Jan. 19, when city police slashed tents in the first "tent city." Students had questions about homeless people and the events surrounding them - questions Mrs. Weller couldn't answer. "The kids were saying they had questions, and I said if you have questions maybe we should just ask the people," Mrs. Weller said. So that's what they did.

Anne Weller started a project that would allow her students to learn what it's like to be homeless.

"The purpose was to give the kids more empathy, but also the big picture," Weller said.

She started by taking bagged lunches that the class made to the "tent city" on Central Avenue at 18th Street.

The students brought bread, chips and cookies, and made the lunches during class. They attached little notes to the bags.

Later, Weller would deliver the lunches to tent city. She took along a composition book that the kids had scribbled questions in. She left it with the "mayor" of the tent city, Kathy Hines.

It seemed like an easy trade, the lunches for honest answers about what it's like to be homeless.

"I thought the notebook would be a good way because then you're not in their face," Weller said. "They're answering the questions, but they're not answering to me; they're answering to a piece of paper."

According to all parties, the lunches, notes and questions were well received.

"We enjoy writing back and forth with them because they're really interested in us as human beings," Hines said.

Since the project started, the composition book has traveled between the tent cities and the fourth- and fifth-graders every week.

Since the homeless camp on Central was disbanded and split into two new sites, the notebook followed Hines to Lakewood United Church of Christ, where she now resides with about 15 other homeless people. The lunches keep coming and the dialogue is still open.

Hines said the questions vary from serious - "If you could go back in time, what would you change?" - to practical, with questions about what homeless life is like. Whatever the question is, she and the other residents answer as honestly as possible, she said.

"One of the questions one time was would I like to run for the mayor of St. Pete?... and I said 'No way!' " Hines said.

The exchange has been kept as simple as possible, with anonymous questions. In addition, Hines doesn't force her brethren to respond; it's done voluntarily.

When the book returns to class, the kids form a circle and discuss the responses. They also talk about what they've learned and what they think about homeless people.

They're learning that people are homeless because they had bad luck, made bad choices, or suffered from mental illness or depression. They've learned that some people want help, and some choose to be homeless.

They sit quietly while other students share their opinions and reactions. Most are generally understanding of the predicaments homeless people face and how they came to be homeless.

Levi Kidder, 9, a fourth-grader, has learned that there is more to homeless people than their appearance.

"They're misunderstood. Everyone thinks if you're homeless you're a bad person and you've never done anything good for anyone," Levi said. "That's not true."

The stereotypes have dissolved, and the class has become more concerned about their homeless correspondents.

Levi said about one pen pal, "when we found out they got an apartment, everybody started clapping because we were happy for them."

In one of the class projects, a row of paper houses sits along a counter with the names and descriptions of homeless people, including causes and effects of each situation.

On a wall above the display are large sheets of lined paper with answers to questions about what they have learned from the project so far.

On a recent Thursday, students decorated lunch bags with bright colors in the shape of bunnies for Easter. Each included a hand-written message. One said: "Happy Easter from all of us caring kids."

"I think what they like more than the sandwiches are the notes," Weller said.

Hines agreed.

"The notes on the lunches, that's the best part," Hines said. "It's just a pick-me-up that kids would not just help make sandwiches, but also send a note and make you feel like you're a human being."

Last week Hines responded to about 14 notes, complete with compliments on her good work, smiley-face drawings and more questions. All were answered by Hines and sent back to the classroom for another discussion.

Many of the homeless people who participated at the start of the project have since moved on to apartments, or in some cases back onto the streets.

The project will continue through the school year. Hines hopes she can keep in touch even after she is back on her feet.

"Its lasted a lot longer than I thought," she said. "These kids are really interested in us."

Weller said she is hopeful that what her students are doing will make a difference.

"I really do believe that we don't know what these notes mean," Weller said. "We have no idea if one little act of kindness we do for somebody is going to be the act that changes their life."

Nick Johnson can be reached at nickjohnson@sptimes.com or 893- 8215.

Q: Is it hard to be homeless?

A: Yes it is very hard to be homeless because a lot of people look down on you and think you are not a very good person. We are all very good people who had jobs and houses, and just hit some bad luck and became homeless.

Kathy Hines

Q: What do you think would help end homelessness?

A: This is a very good question. I don't know if we will ever be at a place in the future where there are no homeless people. The way the jobs are and companies going broke and leaving workers unemployed. We do need more low income housing to help the workers in Florida. Rent is just TOO high for most people to afford and that's why there is homeless people. I hope this will change soon.

Kathy Hines

Q: How did you come to being homeless?

A: My roommate took all of the rent money to buy drugs.

Kathy Hines

A: Came back from Bagdad, combat injury left me unable to work. Money ran out, unexpected situation. My son and daughter support me. All dark clouds have silver linings.

Master Gunnery Sgt. S. Keith Gunter-Butler

A: I became homeless back in 2005 when I lost my job and house. Have no family or anything to fall on. Then eventually lost my house, and been homeless since then.

Danielle Somers

Q: What would or could you do to change your life in any way?

A: I am in the process of getting a place. I know it will be alright with me. I have inner strength and Jesus helps me.

Debra Wallace

A: I'm working on that one! I've been rich twice. I was never happy until I had no material belongings. Life, not things, make happiness. (How you live and love one another.)

Anonymous

A: Right now I am working with the residents of Tent City and helping them get on their feet and get a place to live. I will find a job and a place later, when the rest are on their feet again.

Kathy Hines

Real people, candid talk

[Last modified April 7, 2007, 22:02:26]