What would it take for you to feel like you were making a
fresh start? We start over so many times in a lifetime – when we begin living
independently as young adults; when we first share our hearts with someone; when
we start parenting, caring for aging parents; when we take a deep breath and
reinvent ourselves. Many of the people whose stories are on the Benevolent site
this week are making fresh starts, too, important ones. One that stands out for
me is Kena’s story.
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| “It's just me and God in this apartment.” - Kena |
Kena seems like someone we’d all like to know – now. Not so
long ago, Kena was living a life driven by her addiction. She tells us about
years of making bad choices. Now, however, Kena is in recovery, living
independently for the first time, and ready to build towards her future.
As many know, recovery from addiction is a very personal and
often spiritual process. In fact, Kena tells us “It's just me and God in this
apartment.” She’s sleeping on an air mattress in an unfurnished apartment and
working towards employment and stability. She has a part-time job and is
working hard to make ends meet.
This is Kena’s fresh start. She’s coming to
life in ways she hasn’t been able to in years, and I am touched that she shared
it with us and is trusting us to help.
The very first need we met on the Benevolent
site was for a woman named Anne who was also sleeping on an air mattress.
Laughingly she told us that every night she went to bed fearing that the bed
would pop and she’d wake up on the hard floor.
This
fresh start for Kena is about so much more than a bed. It’s about her determination,
optimism, hard work and belief in herself. What we can give her is way beyond
furniture. When you reach out and enter Kena’s circle, she’ll know that she’s
not walking this new path all on her own. Our recipients tell us all the time
that just knowing that there are people out there who believe in them makes a
world of difference. I’m glad we can be that world of difference for Kena this
spring.
I
can just picture it. When Kena gets her new furniture and bed, she’ll know that
in addition to her and God in her apartment, a little bit of each of us will be
there as well, reminding her that we believe in her and in her new start.
-
megan kashner
founder & ceo
benevolent
