Stewpot,
Dallas
Stewpot is a program at Presbyterian church in Dallas. Last year about ten members attended Stewpot. Attendees experienced firsthand the affects of poverty as they did service work the entire week while living at the church.
This program combined several aspects of poor people's lives:
- The actual Stewpot, where Youth Group members served food to about 500 people a day. The Stewpot is a Day Shelter for the homeless. This facility, which is under the umbrella of First Presbyterian Church, offers lunch daily to Dallas' area homeless. In addition, The Stewpot offers many essential services, such as dental and medical care, casework, mail services and more.
- Grace Presbyterian Village, a residential living community and nursing home for the aging. Care ranges from independent living, mild to severe nursing care and Alzheimer's care. Here the youth helped by talking to residents that did not receive regular visitors.
- Vogel Alcove, a day care center for area homeless children from 6 months old to 5 years old. This facility provides free day care, food, and clothing for the children. Here the youth played with the children. Several of the youth noticed the difference between these children and children that they knew. It is sad to see how homelessness affects even the very young children.
- The Summer Day Camp, where members helped take care of area homeless children entering grades 1st through 6th. These children come from the slums of Dallas to the church, where they are given structure and comfort. The camp met daily, including six classes: Art, Small Games, Reading and Computer, Gym, Dance and Drama. Before and after classes, the camp would have group time where they displayed their skits of the day, sang songs, and discussed topics. The youth were junior counselors, acting as mentors and friends to the children at the Day Camp.
Sarah, a Youth Group member, coloring as a role model for the younger
children in the arts and crafts area.
The Youth Group members demonstrating "treating everyone nicely" through
a well-acted skit for the daycare members.
- The Youth also held a Bible Study at the Stewpot. About 10 Stewpot clients attended. Some homeless came just to drink coffee, but others were very adamant about their faith and a pleasure to talk to.
The Youth Group at their complementary pool party at the end of the
week.
- On Saturday, before heading back to Ardmore, the group also went to Six Flags theme park.
There were many more facilities the Youth members had the privilege of seeing, and all of them taught the members something new about how people in difficult or unpleasant situations can get help. Every day the youth said morning prayers and eventide. They slept in two rooms on mattresses, but no springs. They were also were given materials to help them better sympathize with those they came into contact with, and were also given materials to help them better understand how to not become one of the peoples in these troubling situations.
Vanessa had this to say about the experience: "It was a real life-changing experience. It changed my perspective of the poor. I no longer see the poor just as people dressed in rags: I see Jesus in their eyes. I am definitely going again."
Maria had this to say about the experience: "Thanks to Stewpot, I met my best friends in Christ. And also, the week helped the whole youth group grow together."
Stewpot costs about $150 per person, which includes the program, housing, breakfast, and lunch.
For more information, click on this link: http://www.presbyterians.org/stewpot/