Dignity Bred by Caring People

Editor,

Driving home tonight after working with Faye Chapman on a photography project I saw an uplifting scene.

I mention Faye because in the three years I’ve known her I have been moved by her and tireless efforts as well as others in the community to help those in need, especially the homeless. They lovingly work to make the world a better place. They care and it makes our corner of the world so much more beautiful.

I came upon a group of people heading to the new shelter for our previously homeless neighbors. Maybe I projected how I would be feeling in their shoes but I felt they were walking with a sense of dignity and dare I say serenity. There was something different in their eyes and their step. They had a place to sleep and that perhaps they had a chance and perhaps, since obviously some people cared, there was hope. These are hard times for many and the statistics are staggering how many people are one check or illness or natural disaster away from being homeless themselves.

But there is truly hope and there are many people everywhere working to make this world a better place and tonight I felt that and it made me extremely happy and grateful that I know so many good, kind, and compassionate people.

Richard Lehrer

Aliso Viejo