Seven Cresskill high schoolers and members of B.A.G – Amber Dangelico, Jihwan Choi, Eryn Hong, Esther Lee, Ashley Jung, Mark Achkar, and Thomas Bleckman – visited the homeless on the streets of NYC. B.A.G is a student-run non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money to create hygiene kits to donate to the homeless. These hygiene kits include shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, granola bars, two t-shirts, a water bottle, and masks.
The stories below dive deep into the conversations the group had that day with Brian, Rodrick, and Hector.
Brian, a charismatic and vibrant soul, was the first person to receive a hygiene backpack.
Off the bat, the group shared laughs with Brian as he cracked jokes about his age; he made everyone take turns guessing how old he was, and no one imagined he was a day over forty. Surprisingly, Brian was 66 years old, and hopefully, the hygiene and nutrition kits will maintain his youthful appearance. Brian shared that, unfortunately, “things just didn’t work out for me. I’m just lost in this city. My wife and kids left, and I just went downhill from there. But I’m going back up now. I have a social worker who’s helping me out. I got a meeting with her tomorrow.”
The optimism and determination that Brian projected was so inspirational. Given the dire circumstances in which he lives, he is still able to make others laugh, keep a smile on his face, and focus on bettering his future. Brian received two bags, one for his friend as well, and the team wished him success in his endeavors. The team is so proud of Brian and grateful for his overwhelming appreciation and friendliness.
Rodrick taught the team that a ‘home’ doesn’t necessarily classify as a residential building with walls and a roof. His story stems from the failure of his business due to the hardships of COVID-19. Rodrick did not care for materialistic items, as he shared that he has access to an apartment with a double bed, a bathroom, and a 48-inch flat-screen TV, but he prefers to sleep outside. He usually just uses the bathroom to freshen up, and sleeps there once a week to get a good night’s rest. It was surprising to hear that Rodrick chooses to spend his time outside – but why?
Through his heartfelt words, Rodrick expressed his admiration for the Big Apple: the world around him with no physical walls is his home. Even when it’s below zero degrees in the dead of the winter, Rodrick gathers layers of wool blankets and doesn’t even shiver. As a 68-year-old man, Rodrick keeps his “juices flowing” by roaming around the endless streets of the city, soaking up the ebullient energy that bounces off the people around him.
So really, Rodrick isn’t homeless. He settled himself into an environment that he’s happy to be in – isn’t that what a home is all about?
As the team approached Hector in his wheelchair, he was blanketed in white drawing paper and colored pencils focused on his newest work of art. The minute he received a bag, he caressed it in his arms as he laid his head on it, repeatedly expressing his gratitude. He began to guide us through the meanings of each drawing: one was The Wild West, portraying cowboys racing on their horses while two sheriffs on rooftops were preparing to fight, and someone was jumping from a building that they had just set on fire. Creative, right? Hector’s talent shined through his other drawings of Greek Gods, John Lennon of the Beatles, a lion, and a beautiful heart with a rose inside.
Hector revealed that he doesn’t put a price on his paintings because he doesn’t want to force people to pay any amount that they are uncomfortable with. He says, “I just let them give whatever they feel is right.”
Taken away by Hector’s generosity, talent, and endearing soul, the team purchased three of Hector’s paintings. His face gleamed with excitement, and his vulnerability and wholesome words touched the team’s hearts as they walked away with tears in their eyes.
The glistening in Hector’s own eyes from his tears was an immediate sign of the sincerity behind his words. From the depths of his heart, Hector told the team, “Today, I prayed to God. I prayed to God, and I asked him to send me an angel. Not only did I get one angel, I got two, four, six, and seven angels, as he counted each of us that came from Cresskill. God has answered my prayers. You kids are the change this world needs. It is so easy to do bad and so difficult to do good. There are so many bad people out there, and I want you to know that I appreciate all of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Many stigmas are associated with the homeless, and prior to today, these Cresskill students could have never imagined the optimism, tenderness, and inspiration that the homeless bestowed upon them. They eagerly await their next trip to give out more bags filled with hygienic and nutritional items in exchange for the positive outlook and kindness that people like Brian, Rodrick, and Hector have to offer. While being safe, these servant leaders encourage society to ask someone in need how they can be helped; it doesn’t necessarily have to be donating spare coins into a paper cup. There is nothing more valuable and rewarding than realizing the positive impact, big or small, that someone is able to make by showing compassion and openness to a stranger in need.
