WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET:
UPDATES:
For groups interested in scheduling a hosted visit to the Fresco, please contact April at April@HaywoodStreet.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
COMPANION CORNER:
For more information about any of the following, please contact Hannah, Haywood St. Companion Coordinator, at hannah@haywoodstreet.org or 828.575.2477 [ext. 106]
A HAYWOOD STREET REFLECTION BY: CAPPY
Being a companion at Haywood Street conjures up many feelings and emotions on any given day. I’m always filled with gratitude whenever I’m there, or just thinking about the wonderful gifts I receive in connecting with so many wonderful and giving individuals.
It’s such a comfort how the staff treats us with such respect and gratitude. There are dozens of ways they let us know we are appreciated, whether it’s thanking us for chopping onions in the kitchen, serving meals at the Welcome Table, or being in the moment with someone at the kitchen table at Respite. There are countless expressions of thanks, hearty hugs, and smiles that let us know we are part of the Haywood Street family.
One example of the staff’s appreciation is the companion dinner each quarter on a Monday evening. It’s a time to gather and enjoy a delicious meal with an uplifting program that helps us connect, relax and reflect.
Dave Holland always goes the extra mile in preparing an amazing meal, like the one we enjoyed this month—prime rib, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli with cheese sauce, garlic bread, a beautiful salad and lemon-blueberry Bundt cake. The vegetarian entrée was a platter of loaded sweet potatoes. This meal was fit for a king!
Mark and Hannah asked us to write two comments on a card about an experience or feeling about Haywood Street. We could have filled a library with our reflections, sharing our thoughts as we took turns at each table. It’s comforting to hear what others have to say about being here at Haywood Street.
Mark’s message was especially thought-provoking—about resilience in our lives and that of our friends at Haywood Street. It’s not always easy coping with difficulties, setbacks, barriers or limited resources that affect people living on the edge. Bouncing back isn’t always feasible; coping with stress and hardships can take a toll on someone, especially when living on the edge without a home or safety net.
He explained more about the Haywood Street Mercy Team—a small but mighty group of individuals specifically trained to be there to observe, listen, and help our friends when life seems overwhelming, causing anxiety, irritability and hostile behavior. It’s done with respect and sensitivity towards each individual, helping diffuse the situation calmly before words and actions escalate any further.
Mark also explained more about an intensive two-day training workshop that the staff at Haywood Street has taken—Resources for Resilience. The course teaches about trauma, the brain, and the human nervous system. It’s about coping skills; how to be more resilient—for ourselves and for interacting with those experiencing tumultuous times.
This sounds like something we companions need at Haywood Street. I spoke to Laura and Mark about the possibility of organizing a specific training session for companions at Haywood Street. If this is of interest, please let Laura know so she can create a list of prospective attendees.
Resilience:
Something we all need when navigating this road called life.
For more faces & stories from our Congregation, click here.
