La Posada has helped thousands of individuals over the past 30 years. On most days, you see firsthand, men, women, children and families, who have sought refuge from their previous harsh living conditions and credible threats to their lives in their native lands. Not one day is the same at La Posada; no one guest is the same and no one guest has the same needs.
At La Posada, we are keenly aware of the variety of needs our guests have. We prepare for these needs by exploring resources in the community and available funding opportunities. Many of our guests arrive traumatized after experiencing sexual and physical abuse and threats to their life. These circumstances alone can be overwhelming. Then consider that they have fled from the only place they have ever known, leaving behind their belongings and their loved ones. Their circumstances resulted from unimaginable choices they had to make.
Some days when we have a low client count, we catch our breath, but that does not last very long. On the “slow” days, the Sisters, staff and volunteers meet to discuss catching up and ways to improve services to guests. Some staff organize the storage room; labeling, separating donations by size, and gender of the clothing, ensuring it is appropriate for the season. Other staff make client intake packets and others search for additional community resources that are available in the event there is a future need.
The past week we started with a low guest count – a good example of how quickly things change soon followed. In the very early hours of one morning, we welcomed two single mothers; one with two children and the other with three. Once again, we hear children running, children laughing and children being children. The mothers sat vigilantly watching their children at play. One mother watched with tears in her eyes smiling from ear to ear. When asked how she felt now at La Posada, she tearfully responded, “My children are safe, look at them play, my babies are going to be okay for now. I slept well last night knowing my children were in a warm bed sleeping peacefully.”
God has provided La Posada with many blessings over these past 30 years, allowing us to help the most vulnerable in our world and in our community. We have given a hand up to the needy, while also giving them hope for a better future. We pray and work so that we can continue to follow the Gospel mandate to welcome the stranger for as long as the need exists.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
If you shop Amazon.com this holiday season, Instead of using amazon.com, go to smile.amazon.com and enter La Posada Providencia as your charity of choice.
Thank you!