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| KRISTEN MULLEN / THE SUNDAY VOICE Tonya Russell stayed at Ruth’s Place, a women’s homeless shelter at First Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre, for 16 days in January. She said she had dealt with countless trials while she was homeless, but she never doubted that she was wanted. |
BY TONYA RUSSELL
SPECIAL TO THE SUNDAY VOICE
Published: Sunday, February 22, 2009 4:07 AM EST
I never would have imagined myself homeless. How could I, considering that my whole life I never wanted for anything? I have been blessed these almost 21 years of my existence. It seemed as though, with a simple blink of an eye, everything had drastically changed for me.
I was living with my 39-year-old sister and her husband in Wilkes-Barre so that I could attend classes at Luzerne County Community College until I went back home to South Jersey, where I grew up. There were obvious personality and age differences in the house. My brother-in-law and I were not quite seeing eye-to-eye. The constant unnecessary tumult led me to explore a new living situation, one unlike anything I had ever known.
I was in a difficult situation. Yes, I had other family; but no, they were not in this area, not even in the state. What was I supposed to do? I had a job that I loved at the Gap, and was taking classes and finishing up an amazing internship. I had an obligation to the Wilkes-Barre area, but friends proved to be just as unreliable as family. I had to put my pride aside and find a shelter until I could get on my feet.
I called VISION, which is a local men’s shelter. Through there, I was connected with Ruth’s Place, a women’s shelter at First Baptist Church on South River Street in Wilkes-Barre. I had no knowledge of homeless shelters, except some preconceived notions I saw in the movies, such as homeless people are on drugs or are prostitutes, crazy, unkempt and disgusting and are to blame for their current state. During my stay at Ruth’s Place, I learned the truth about living in emergency housing and it dispelled some of those media images.
A variety of women were staying at Ruth’s Place, many of them breaking the mold just like me. The age range was 18 to 65. Many of these women were able to spit upon those stereotypes, but others fulfilled the prophecy. There were women who were affected by the current economic crisis, losing their jobs and having to downsize. There were battered women who sought refuge until they were stable enough to live without their lovers...
I truly learned what it meant to be a nomad. Shelters shut down at 7 or 8 a.m., and they did not reopen until around 6:30 p.m. That means everyone had to find somewhere to go for at least 10 hours. Where could you go, especially since the temperatures nowadays dip as low as the single digits? I went into work a few hours early and hung out on campus to kill time, and I completed four library books in the first six days. I only hope that the other women were able to find safe, warm places.
Just after two weeks at Ruth’s Place, my family and I were able to find some common ground, and I was invited to go back to my sister’s home. We all came to some agreements that would provide us with stability and comfort.
I dealt with countless trials while I was homeless, but I never doubted that I was wanted. The other women were quick to teach me my daily chores. I made connections that I never imagined. I had intense conversations with a woman who had a doctorate in math. I discussed religion and criticized society with a tarot-card-toting woman with a degree in philosophy from UC Berkley. I even had a few fans who were constantly rooting for me when I talked of my future in journalism.
Do I plan on keeping in contact with these individuals now that I have left Ruth’s Place? There is a saying, “People come in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.” Well, for unfortunate reasons I formed probably only seasonal bonds, but the knowledge and memories I gained will be with me for a lifetime.
WBRE Public Service Announcement for Ruth's Place Walk-a-Thon--10/27/08
"Women's Homeless Shelter Offered Market Street Square Spot" Times Leader--09/17/08 (link here)
"Embracing a New Home for Homeless Shelter," Times Leader--09/09/08