Dinner at 8 at the Bus Station
Dear Leading Ladies,
We (Therese and Judy) went out to dinner last Wednesday night. Our fashionably late reservations were for 8 pm so we left the North Shore at 7, heading to the Merrimack Valley. As we pulled into our dinner venue, the last bus pulled out of the terminal on Common Street in Lawrence. Why is this relevant? Because our dinner destination was the Buckley Transportation Center where folding tables are set up family style every Wednesday in the bus parking spaces to provide a warm meal and more for the homeless population of Lawrence.
Like clockwork, at 8:01pm, vans started to drive in and unload pizzas and salads, pasta dishes and chicken parmesan, cookies and donuts, all donated for this weekly event organized by The Movement Family (TMF). The name may be familiar because two years ago, Tyler Garvey, then a senior at The Governor’s Academy, made a short film about The Movement Family and its young founder, Michael Gorman.
Left: Leading Ladies founders Judy Klein and Therese Melden with The Movement Family founder Michael Gorman, Right: The Movement Family dinner
It won the Leading Ladies’ Art as Activism film contest. Since then, Leading Ladies has donated books from our book swap and sale to The Movement Family. After this year’s book sale, Michael asked us to come to dinner. So here we were.
As soon as Michael arrived, he was swamped by homeless people, young and old, who wanted to say hello and exchange hugs. He is clearly a local hero. More than that, he is someone they trust. At his request, we had brought some soda and candy which we handed off to a volunteer. Michael quickly told us the young man had been sober for a year and was now part of the team that helped others. As we looked around, it was easy to spot the addicts. The twitching, the sallow skin, the skinny faces and bodies. When many filled their plates, they took only sweets and piled them high. But this was a no judgment place. No one suggested they might do better with a little protein. Michael was quick to tell us that for some it was a major accomplishment that they even got here. One young woman reminded us of Crazy Eyes from “Orange is the New Black.” A regular with seemingly no drug problems but some intellectual and psychological issues, she decided we were her grandmothers. We were willing to oblige.
Meeting people where they are is important, according to Michael, who founded TMF at age 18 in 2011, motivated by a friend’s struggles with addiction. TMF doesn’t push anybody to get off the streets or to stop taking drugs, but it does make services available in an atmosphere that attempts to provide a second family for people who feel isolated and alone. In addition to the food available on Wednesday nights, there is generally a table with information about a recovery program, a physician offering medical care, a barber giving haircuts, a manicurist, a methadone maintenance program, a truck full of free used clothing from Tiffany’s Closet, free books, board games to win gift certificates, and live music. Last Wednesday, there was also an art table, a table with feminine hygiene products and condoms (with volunteers from Austin Prep), representatives from a transition facility called Meghan’s House for young women in recovery, and a mail table where anyone could request a letter of encouragement and support to receive next week.
“He asked everyone to believe, to love each other, and to never give up hope.”
Michael explained that he likes to hold the dinners outdoors, even though it can get a bit chilly, because it removes another barrier for the people who attend. They don’t have to come inside, to leave what is currently most comfortable for them. The space in the terminal, where the buses are usually parked for loading and unloading, was almost lost to The Movement Family. Some opponents in City Hall threatened to end their tenure at the end of the current two-year agreement next year. Michael brought the issue to town hall last Tuesday night in front of the City Council. He planned to bring a large group of volunteers to show solidarity. Instead, not only did volunteers show up, but also restaurant owners who regularly donate food, and homeless people who attend the dinners, some testifying about how TMF helped them get into recovery programs or in other ways. More than 100 supporters showed up. The vote came back 8-1 in favor of extending the current agreement another two years until 2026!
Before the food was served, Michael gathered everyone – well over 100 people attend each week – into a circle. He made some announcements and then asked everyone to take a moment to think of those addicts who wouldn’t have a bed inside tonight, those who might not make it through the night, and those who were in dark places. He asked everyone to believe, to love each other, and to never give up hope.
In these difficult times, hope is sometimes in small supply. But as long as there are people like Michael Gorman, there is reason for hope. If you would like to volunteer for The Movement Family – to help serve, to play music, to donate food from your restaurant or bakery – write to Michael at themovementfamily11@gmail.com and mention Leading Ladies. Money is also helpful! The website is themovementfamily.org. If you’d like to view the short film about The Movement Family by Tyler Garvey, you can do so here.
With renewed hope,
Therese (she/her/hers)
Judy (she/her/hers)
Didi (she/her/hers)