GAIL WHITE Center helps homeless people help themselves

Peggy Gray was at a turning point.
Sitting at the bus station in Youngstown, she stared with dread at the ticket in her hand.
A few months earlier, she had fled New Jersey to escape an abusive relationship. Her godmother in Youngstown urged her to come live with her. But, a short time after Peggy arrived in Youngstown, her godmother was needed back in New Jersey for a family matter.
Homeless, broke and afraid, Peggy resigned to returning to New Jersey. Sitting in that bus station, she tried not to think of the repercussions she would face upon her return.
"I didn't have any choice," Peggy remembers thinking. "I had nowhere to go. I didn't have any money."
Another woman happened to be sitting at the bus station that day. As she watched, she could tell Peggy was hurting.
The woman began talking with Peggy, learning the details of what had brought her to this devastating place in her life. Instead of letting Peggy get on a bus back to hell, this good Samaritan led Peggy to her turning point.
She took her to The Point.
A safe haven
The Greater Youngstown Point serves homeless people with daytime shelter and support services.
Located on Market Street, The Point is a safe haven for those with no home and no place to go during the day.
"The concept of a drop-in center is not to impose services," says Michael James, director of The Point. "Some people choose to stay on the streets."
The hope of the center is that, as homeless people come for daytime shelter, they will seek assistance to improve their life long-term.
"A person drops in and sees others moving along and improving," says Corrine Shannon, account coordinator at The Point. "Once they start to move in a positive direction, then that motivates them to do something else."
The strategy
There is a strategy behind their motivational methods.
"Show them that you genuinely care about them," Corrine says.
It was that "caring" strategy that had an impact on Peggy.
"They made me feel great," Peggy says. "Like they genuinely cared about me and cared what happened to me."
Peggy recalls that first day at The Point. "I had dark circles under my eyes. I was at my wits' end. I was tired, so very tired. I didn't care whether I woke up the next day."
Peggy recalls needing identification. "I had left all my important papers in New Jersey. They made all the necessary calls for me. They must have known I couldn't have done it myself." Then she adds, "I could today."
The Point provided Peggy with food and clothing.
"One of the ladies there went through her own closet and brought me clothes," Peggy says, adding that she has trouble finding clothes that fit properly. "They are really nice clothes. I call them church clothes."
As Peggy progressed through the paperwork and services at The Point, she remembers one of the workers telling her, "Don't worry. You're going to be just fine."
"I think I'd been needing to hear that for a long time," Peggy says softly. "They made me feel like I am worth something."
Doing much better
Peggy's turning point was nearly one year ago. Today, she has her own apartment and is starting a computer class at The Point.
"I feel like I can do anything," she says, beaming. "I know there's no guarantee for tomorrow, but I believe there are plans ahead for me."
Less than a year ago, Peggy didn't care whether she lived or died. Now, she sees each day as a new opportunity.
"They deserve some kind of award," she says, referring to The Point.
"I know I will never get rich doing this," James says. But thinking of Peggy and all the others who have turned to The Point at their turning point, he adds, "But I am richly rewarded."
gwhite@vindy.com