June 2020 | A Letter from the Director
Hi Friends,
You will quickly notice that this month’s update has a very different feel than is typical for Fellowship Housing. But, then, it’s abundantly clear as we see what’s happening around our nation that it’s time for something different.
Fellowship Housing has not been an organization that overtly speaks out against injustice. We haven’t been the ones to organize or show up at a protest nor are we lobbying our representatives for change. We are an organization whose mission is to combat injustices by coming alongside and empowering those who need an advocate and a hand up. We are fighting injustices by our very existence and mission. But there comes a time when we can no longer stay silent.
I have always been more of a “let your actions speak louder than your words” type of person. Leading Fellowship Housing is one example of that in my life. But, with the help of trusted voices, I am beginning to see that sometimes not speaking out and expressly sharing your views leaves many to assume you’re okay with the way things are. I am not okay with the way things are. We at Fellowship Housing are not okay with the way things are. What happened to George Floyd was more than wrong. It was evil. It was symptomatic of deep seated hate and anger. It was murder--pure and simple. And, this is not an isolated incident.
What is happening in our world??
Why does my friend’s husband, a black man, fear going out for a walk in their new neighborhood because he doesn’t yet know his new neighbors. In other words, he doesn’t yet know how racist they are and if he will be safe. That thought never crosses the mind of my husband. Why does another friend fear for the day her little boy crosses that imaginary line and is seen as a threat and no longer seen as an “adorable little black boy.” What is going on?? How do we press reset and begin a new narrative? Yes, the violent protests and lootings are wrong as well. But, as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “A riot is the language of the unheard.” I want to be very careful not to judge the reaction while dismissing the actions that precede it.
Some of you may wonder why I bring up these events in our newsletter. Roughly two-thirds of the families served by Fellowship Housing are led by women of color. While all of the Fellowship Housing moms have experienced trauma and hardship, there are unique layers of challenge that our moms of color experience. They feel a different kind of worry when news headlines frequently share stories about men, women and children of color being abused or killed. Our hearts break when we think that our single moms who are already fighting so hard for their families have to be fearful when they or their children leave their homes. We are angry that they have to teach their sons and daughters how to respond when a police officer pulls them over, not because they want them to be respectful of the officer’s authority, but because they fear their child will be shot. I have never once worried that my son’s life would be a risk if he was pulled over for speeding. No mom should have to worry about the day her son crosses over that invisible “cute little boy” line and is perceived as a threat. No mom! Being a mom is hard enough. No mom should have to feel as if they are in a battle with a losing success rate to get their children to adulthood. These worries and so many other worries that come along with the color of your skin are too much. We want to help eliminate worries like these for Fellowship Housing moms.
As a white woman who leads this organization, I am committed to learning how we can be a part of the solution. I am committed to exploring new ways that we can close the equity gap for our moms of color and to challenging our white staff and board to continue learning, growing and being challenged to look at our privilege. I am committed to listening more closely to those who are further along on this journey. We may not always get it right, but we are committed to getting better.
We, at Fellowship Housing, remain committed to welcoming, honoring and elevating the stories of women of color, especially those who choose Fellowship Housing to be a part of their journey. We are committed to empowering each of our moms of color to build a better future for their children. We are committed to listening to and sharing their stories so that maybe one family at a time we can change the narrative. We see you. We love you! We are inspired and challenged by you. You are our sisters in Christ and made in the image of God.
In that spirit, June’s newsletter highlights some of the amazing families of color that have been a part of Fellowship Housing over the years. We have included links below to the videos shared in the newsletter and you can read Aubrey’s Story on our blog. I am honored to share them with you. They are beautiful, courageous, tenacious and inspiring! We dedicate this newsletter to them. Because when you start at a different baseline due to generational injustices, the celebration and cheering should be that much more.
I hope you grab a cup of coffee, find a comfortable spot and savor the stories. And, I hope you consider (if you haven’t already) what one or two things you can do to be a part of the solution. It will take all of us!
Pam Orr
Executive Director