Life at Ground Level by Janet L Black Bruce A Rasmussen

Author:Janet L Black, Bruce A Rasmussen [Janet L Black, Bruce A Rasmussen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion, Christian Living, Spiritual Growth, Social Science, Poverty & Homelessness
ISBN: 9781640859098
Google: u8tyyQEACAAJ
Publisher: Author Academy Elite
Published: 2019-10-15T03:17:17+00:00

26

Over the next days, Stephen returned to the old apartment building often. He learned that the group that lived in the ancient dwelling were mostly young, the oldest being in their late twenties, and some as young as twelve. The five floors were each represented by a single resident, each of them chosen by popular vote. Even the youngest had a say as to who spoke for them. Each of these representatives formed the Committee, who made decisions and rules for the protection and provision of the residents. It was a good system. But it had its flaws.

The distribution of food had to be carefully monitored. The younger people would often have their food stolen by the older ones, so there was special supervision by the floor leaders during meal times. Violence would often break out, especially among the teenage residents, and a strict no-weapons policy was rigorously enforced. Drugs and alcohol were forbidden. Strangers were looked upon with suspicion, as Stephen had learned, and had to be vetted by the Committee before learning of the building’s location. Any transgression of the rules could be cause for eviction, and the terror of that prospect kept most of the young people in line.

The reasons for these young members of the population to live so outside of mainstream society were as varied as the individuals themselves. Stephen learned in his first few days that children could be here when they had run away from physical or sexual abuse from foster parents or even their own parents. Some had been kicked out of families that had grown too large. One young man confessed to Stephen one day that he had been asked to leave the family home because he snored too loudly. Others were the victims of “tough love” when they couldn’t kick a drug or alcohol problem. The only thing they had in common was the need for shelter and food, as well as the compassion and love of a family. The group provided that.

One day, on a rare occasion when Stephen was there during the day, Pete approached him as he was boarding up a recently broken window on the top floor. The residents of the room, a teenage brother and sister, had gotten into an argument and an empty soup can had been thrown through the window.

“Can I talk to you a minute?” Pete asked as he stood in the frame where the entrance door used to be. He motioned for Stephen to join him in the hall.

“Just finishing up here. Be out there in a sec.” He pounded two more nails through the piece of plywood and into the window frame. “That should do it.” He turned and followed Pete out into the hall.

“Yeah? Something you need help with?” Stephen asked when they faced each other. He had learned in his time here that Pete was the representative of the fifth floor.

“Well, I was wondering if you had any experience with building or repairing furniture. It seems that we are about to get some old stuff donated through Papa, and some of it is going to need some work.

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