Embedded Files
Student Interns: Mirelle Rojano and Valerie Gomez
Paths By: Valerie Gomez
We all have paths we can take in life
Some paths are chosen by us
Some paths are chosen for us
Paths not chosen for us by our loved ones for our own good
But Paths chosen by the society that we live in
Paths molded by a broken past and system that keep us from going a different direction
Paths constantly paved by misconceptions of who we are
Paths filled with barriers out of our control
Paths filled with loss
Paths filled with instability
Paths filled with winding twists and turns that end in the loss of a house
But not the loss of a home
These paths can lead to a shelter
A place to avoid the cold
A place to avoid the heat
A place to rest
A place with support
A place with understanding
A place to find the strength to create a new path
A place for people trying to get back on their feet
You may have a house
You may have the everyday essentials
You may have financial stability
But
You may have struggles
You may face challenges
You may face loss
You may face instability
You may have to deal with circumstances out of your control
But
Why,
does having a house make your struggles understandable
and mine the consequences of my own actions?
Why,
are you seen as going through a rough patch
and I seen as a bad member of society?
We all have paths we can take in life
Some paths are chosen by us
Some paths are chosen for us
We interviewed the assistant director of Red Shield’s family shelter, Katie Barnhart. One of the main topics of discussion that stood out to me, and highlighted important aspects of my internship experiences was the misconception of people that live in shelters. People can be in shelters for various reasons and face countless barriers that lead them to a shelter. However, they often have a job and they do not lack the willpower and desire to lead a better life. Oftentimes, people in the general public believe that people in shelters did something bad in their life and aren’t to be trusted or they are seen as less. We need to raise awareness of how important safe shelters are for families and that residents at shelters are just like anyone else. Just like anyone else, they need support and need to be encouraged and understood. Anyone can go through a difficult time, but just because someone ends up in a shelter does not make their problems any different than someone else’s.
Visual representation of the poem Paths By: Mirelle Rojano
The contrasting cool tones and warm tones are meant to signify the different backgrounds and paths of life individuals go through. The pyramid symbolizes life, obstacles, and/or challenges than an individual faces. The two people on either side of the pyramid represent the different paths individuals take to reach a common goal: the top of the pyramid. The person at the top of the pyramid represents how no matter what different path is taken or what different circumstance someone has, it is possible for a person to succeed in life and/or achieve their goal.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse