Reshaped
Sean shivered as another gust of wind blew through the night. He pulled his sweater tighter and blew warm air onto his hands to keep writing. Finally, around 10:00, he packed up and hurried inside.
Inside, it was dark as always. He turned his flashlight on the mattress where his siblings slept to find a spot. Within seconds, exhaustion overtook him.
In the morning, he and his siblings ate yogurt on the same mattresses they’d slept on. His mother noticed his tired eyes. He almost said, “Yeah, I didn’t sleep because it was so cold,” but that would only make her feel worse.
That afternoon, Sean saw adults in blue vests examining the houses. Fear gripped him. Were they here to evict them? He crouched behind a bush, listening.
One man spoke. “We’re from Rotary. We want to help the kids here by providing electricity and plumbing for all of you.”
Sean saw a real smile cross his mother’s face—a rare sight.
On Saturday, the Rotarians and construction crews returned. Sean and the neighborhood kids watched as they worked, eager to help. Over time, they formed friendships with the volunteers, learning valuable skills.
By summer, the work was nearly complete. The children no longer had to study under streetlights or wake shivering in the night. Their world had changed.
Resources
Habitat for Humanity
habitat.org
“Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.”
Aeon
aeon.org
“We create and sustain quality affordable homes that strengthen lives and communities.”
Coalition for the Homeless
coalitionforthehomeless.org
“The Coalition for the Homeless is the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct service organization, helping homeless individuals and families. We believe that affordable housing, sufficient food, and the chance to work for a living wage are fundamental rights in a civilized society.”
Rebuilding Together
rebuildingtogether.org
“Our work goes beyond each home. Local affiliates work closely with community residents and leaders to revitalize communities. We commit to our neighbors in need and help them rebuild in the months and years following a disaster.”
The roads were cold, as the storm raged on. With no one to care, the dog wandered from city to city, hiding in the alleys and eating scraps of thrown-away food. No one seemed to notice the little furball in the big cities, where everyone was in a rush. With the harsh mixture of rain, snow, and sleet, there were barely any humans around. It bolted to the next alleyway, hoping to find a large trash can filled with scraps to keep it warm.
But just as it reached the other side, a woman walked out of the building, stopped by a nun. “Sister Francis, I’ve never worked on a program like this before. Who would want dogs trained in a prison?” Marie questioned.
Sister Francis smiled, “Marie, I’ve known you for a long time. You’ve always had the determination to make a difference. Maybe this program is your next step.”
Marie paused. The golden retriever, Berry, caught her attention, and in that moment, everything clicked.
Guide Dogs for the Blind
URL: https://www.guidedogs.com
“Guide Dogs for the Blind is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired. We provide highly trained guide dogs at no charge to individuals, giving them the freedom to lead independent lives. Our dogs are expertly matched with their handlers, and our services also include training for both the dogs and their human partners.”
Paws With A Cause
URL: https://www.pawswithacause.org
“Paws With A Cause trains assistance dogs to enhance the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities. We provide dogs that are trained to perform specific tasks that make life easier, from helping with mobility to providing comfort for emotional support. Our mission is to create a community of individuals empowered by the capabilities of service dogs and to continually advocate for those with disabilities.”
Canine Companions for Independence
URL: https://www.cci.org
“Canine Companions for Independence provides service dogs to individuals with disabilities, empowering them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Our highly trained dogs assist with tasks such as opening doors, retrieving dropped items, and providing stability. We are committed to providing lifelong support to our clients and their dogs, and we do so free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers.”
America’s VetDogs
URL: https://www.vetdogs.org
“America’s VetDogs provides service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities. Our mission is to assist these heroes in achieving greater independence, mobility, and emotional support. Our service dogs help in a variety of ways, from guiding individuals with visual impairments to providing companionship for those with PTSD. We strive to honor those who served by improving their lives with the assistance of a service dog.”
The Dog Alliance
URL: https://www.thedogalliance.org
“The Dog Alliance is committed to training and providing service dogs to individuals with disabilities, including children with autism and veterans with PTSD. Through customized training programs, we focus on creating strong, lifelong partnerships between the dogs and their handlers. Our mission is to empower individuals to live fuller lives through the companionship and assistance of our trained service dogs.”
Medical Mutts
URL: https://www.medicalmutts.org
“Medical Mutts provides highly trained service dogs to individuals with medical conditions, such as diabetes, seizures, and mobility impairments. We specialize in training dogs to alert their handlers to medical events and perform daily tasks that assist in everyday life. We believe that service dogs can enhance the independence and well-being of individuals with medical conditions, and we are dedicated to ensuring the best match between dogs and their human partners.”
K9s For Warriors
URL: https://www.k9sforwarriors.org
“K9s For Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. Our mission is to help warriors regain their independence and quality of life by providing them with trained service dogs. We offer a comprehensive program that includes training for both the veteran and the dog, ensuring a strong bond that will support the veteran’s mental and emotional health.”
Puppies Behind Bars
URL: https://www.puppiesbehindbars.com
“Puppies Behind Bars trains service dogs for veterans and first responders with disabilities, as well as dogs for children with autism. Our program pairs incarcerated individuals with puppies, giving them the responsibility of raising and training the dogs. In the process, they develop valuable skills while making a life-changing impact on others. Our mission is to provide a win-win opportunity for both the dogs and the individuals they assist.”
4 Paws for Ability
URL: https://www.4pawsforability.org
“4 Paws for Ability provides service dogs to children and veterans with disabilities, including those with autism, mobility impairments, and medical conditions. Our dogs are trained to help with specific needs, ranging from providing physical assistance to offering emotional support. We strive to enrich the lives of our clients by fostering independence and enhancing well-being through the companionship of highly trained service dogs.”
The Service Dog Project
URL: https://www.servicedogproject.org
“The Service Dog Project’s mission is to provide trained Great Danes to people with mobility impairments. These dogs assist individuals by performing tasks that enhance mobility, such as pulling wheelchairs, opening doors, and providing balance. We work closely with each client to ensure the best possible match between dog and handler, empowering them to live more independently and comfortably with the support of a trained service dog.”