I think the Freedom House is a wonderful place that does something that Brown County really has a need for. Homelessness is something that I knew was in the area but something easily forgotten because of how invisible it is here. What they’re providing for families is a chance to start fresh and take stress off the process of rebuilding. I think it’s especially important for the kids though since they’re just along for the ride and have every right to a normal upbringing. Something I didn’t know was that Freedom House put so much effort to normalize the experience for their younger residents. I think it’s so important for babies, kids, and teens to be able to grow up in an environment where they’re doing the same things their peers are doing and aren’t left out. Nothing really made me feel that uncomfortable during the visit, just the thought of the struggle that these residents have to go through before arriving there is sad to think about. The shelter does a great job of being a warm place that provides a ton of useful tools and resources, but I’m sure nobody was planning to end up in that situation until it was one of their only options left. I don’t have any solid ideas yet, but I could imagine my role involving designing anything they would need for events and such. I’m willing to help out anywhere I’m needed. Creating some decorations for kids would be really fun to do too. I think it’s even more important to help give them a positive atmosphere than their guardians. More posters on the wall of a cartoon or a movie could go a long way for them. I was thinking of even something interactive but I’m not sure what that would be yet.
