Faces of the Poor
By Olubukola “Bukie” Adekoje

Serving in America’s third poorest city takes bravery. Our program director, Amy, and our support staff, Marva and Jen, have assisted us in this path to reach those who are under-served.

Through retreats we have been rejuvenated and strengthened to continue this work. Nine months have passed since we started this year of service; it has been insightful and full.

As a legal assistant and outreach worker at Neighborhood Legal Services, I see the faces of those whom we call “poor” everyday. They are not just poor people, they are people. The work I do, the work all the volunteers do, is more enriching when we enter into the stories of the people we encounter. Whether as customers, clients, co-workers, or students, we are learning to understand them by listening to their story, sharing their burdens and easing it when we can. This is what we are called to do as a community: to love our neighbor as ourselves.

What a challenge!

In my commitment to social justice, I have discovered the importance of simply being present until the people we serve have faces. It is easy to get caught up in the emergency, in the need presented and soon envision a sea of faces without distinction. I am enervated when I think of the masses that are in need of help. So, I chose one face, one person I have helped or someone I can advocate for. With that face comes the ebullience that leads me to move quickly to do research, return a call, or go out to meet a client. A new face encourages me to move beyond yesterday’s sorrow/story. One person might need shelter for the night, while another might want food; the things I, and I’m sure others take for granted. Day in and day out, people return with a multitude of travails a privileged person such as I can only imagine. The reality is stark and crude. Yet there is room for beauty because justice is possible. One face at a time, we volunteers strive to invite that beauty to shine.