While many of our community members were emotionally attached to the oversized 70s styled couches, it was time for an upgrade. Our Service Hub has a dual purpose. Part of the time, we use it to host our various service partners like St. Luke’s Parish Nurses, chair yoga, hair cuts, AA/NA groups and Lehigh Valley Health Partners Street Medicine team. The rest of the time, our community members use it as a quiet room to get rest. Many of them do not always get the best sleep, so having a safe, warm place to sleep is a great gift. Our community members say thank you to Lehigh Valley Health Network for contributing new couches to the Service Hub! They look great.
Mr. Charles' Story- Ripple has been a blessing
Ripple has been there for me ever since they opened at this location 5 years ago. Every time I was in the hospital someone from Ripple came to visit me multiple times. Not only did they help me every step of the way to getting our apartment, but they are also still helping me after the fact. Ripple stepped in and handled a situation for me that was causing me a lot of stress. That’s how Ripple has impacted my life. They also give me a space to blow off steam by joking around with people and making them laugh.
When I was homeless, they would welcome us to the church with breakfast and have a talk. Back then, I avoided talking to people and had a bad attitude, so they mostly spoke with my girlfriend Lisa.Even when I showed no interest in speaking with people, Pastor Ben always checked in on me and asked how I was doing, they’ve always been there for me. They always give that kind heart. It’s the kindness that they give to the people here.
When Lisa and I were still outside, we were waiting on an apartment inspector for over a month. In the meantime, there was an availability at Ripple Community, and they asked us if we wanted to move in. Right away I told them “But we don’t have the deposit and all of first month’s rent” and they told us not to worry and gave us a key. I am very humble, even if I have my grumpy old ways, they have made me very grateful and blessed. Lisa and I were just talking about that recently, that we are so lucky and blessed for Ripple’s help in all of this. It just so happens that the day we moved into our apartment, was the day Lisa’s granddaughter was born. That’s why I call her Princess, she’s my lucky piece. I tell her that because of her, we have a place for her to come visit.
Emily's RCI Story
Graduating college during the pandemic was definitely a challenge I had to overcome. I experienced a lack of human connection and didn’t know how others were navigating these difficult times. When the world started to feel a little safer, I decided to get involved in Allentown’s community. I knew the pandemic caused a lack of services and resources around the world, but I had no idea where to begin to make an impact.
At the time, a friend of mine from high school was running the Art Therapy program here at Ripple Community Inc (RCI). She would post updates about what members were working on and I wanted to learn more right away. Going to school for art while experiencing the last year of chaos that we all collectively went through (and still are) I wanted to get involved with anything that centered around art and helping others. We set up a time for me to take a tour of Community Building Center and I started regularly volunteering from then on.
This past year has been spent getting to know our community members and all the resources Allentown does have to offer. Before actively getting involved in Allentown’s Community I was oblivious to what resources were out there and the severity of people who needed access to those resources. I have learned so much in my small amount of time here and most of what I learned is through spending time with our members and understanding that everyone just wants to feel seen and safe. That’s exactly the purpose of RCI in my eyes. Yes, we provide health services and other necessities of survival, but creating a safe space for people to be seen and heard is what allows people to truly thrive and not just survive.
I’m so grateful to have found my place here at Ripple Community Inc, and I never thought volunteering a few times a month would influence not only a career change, but my perspective as well. I am now doing an AmeriCorps service year here at the Community Building Center and this community will always be the stepping stone in my journey.
Hugged by a back pack
Thanks to Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer for the book bags! The book bags included hygiene items, winter items, snacks, and more. Our community members were in need of new back packs and they greatly appreciated them
