We’re continually inspired at DESK by the generosity and compassion of our youngest supporters.

Yesterday, Isaac (five-years old) and his mom, Diane Kenaston, stopped by our newly-renovated Drop-in & Resource Center, along with Pastor Jamie Michaels from First & Summerfield United Methodist Church.  DESK and First & Summerfield recently launched a new partnership, in which DESK serves dinner outside their building at the corner of Elm and College, just off the New Haven Green.  So when Diane told Pastor Jamie about Isaac’s great idea to help people who were asking for help on the streets, she knew just the organization that could benefit.

Isaac and his mom spend a lot of time in Downtown New Haven, and so they see a lot of people asking for help — but they don’t always have money, or food, or warm clothes to give them right then and there.  As Diane told us, “We decided to count each time someone asked for help.  Isaac counted 513 people and kept track on a white board in our kitchen. Today, our family is giving a donation in that amount.”

Over the course of 2024, Isaac was diligent about counting and recording.  And so, as the coldest and darkest day of the year approaches, Diane reached out to Pastor Jamie, and they arranged to come by our Drop-in & Resource Center so that Isaac could see the very people he and his family are supporting.  Our Executive Director showed them around the recently re-opened building.  (Isaac seemed most impressed by the size of the kitchen equipment!)  The photo here was taken in the third-floor medical clinic, which will soon serve as the headquarters of Cornell Scott Hill Health Center’s Homeless Healthcare Department.

Many people find it hard to know exactly how to respond when folks on the street ask for help.  As Diane put it, “We’re conditioned as adults to ignore and walk right past.”  Sometimes it takes the fresh eyes of our kids to remind us of the compassion and warmth we have to share, especially in the coldest and darkest days of the year.