Last week, Lynette Daniels, Program Director for Samaritan Inns’ Intensive Recovery Program, visited Rivendell School in Arlington, Virginia, to speak to the children there about homelessness. Kindergarteners and middle schoolers alike listened as Lynette shared her experiences as a staff member at Samaritan Inns and the importance of working toward making our community better.

“How many of you had the opportunity to eat breakfast this morning?” Lynette asked the children, whose little hands immediately shot up in the air.

“I know of quite a few children and adults who didn’t have that opportunity this morning. And those kids are in school today just like you, with empty tummies, and the only food they’ll be getting is what is provided for them at school.”

Lynette explained the reality of homelessness and poverty in our region in a way that the children could grasp. She went on to emphasize the importance of knowing that homelessness doesn’t happen to “bad” people, that it can happen to anybody, and that the people we see on the streets or waiting outside of shelters usually have jobs and families that care about them, too.

After the assembly, the kids scrambled outside with their handmade posterboards, buddied up, and began walking up and down Lee Highway to show their support for the homeless men and women in our region. On their signs were written “We care about the homeless!” and “Walk for the Homeless!”

Lynette had this to say about the assembly: “I was amazed that they gave me their undivided attention. They realized that just because you’re homeless doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or that God doesn’t love you. They left excited, realizing that because they were walking for the homeless, somebody they didn’t even know might get a pair of gloves or a warm hat this winter. They walked because they wanted to make a difference in somebody else’s life!”

Rivendell’s walk is one of hundreds of mini-walks taking place across the region as part of Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Walkathon. The main walk is on the National Mall on November 21st, 2009, but schools and churches across the region are encouraged to host mini-walks to maximize child involvement, education, and impact.

Samaritan Inns’ staff is always so blessed and thrilled when we can reach out to youth to share the hope in our work, the value of our clients, and emphasize the impact that children can make.