To commemorate Homeless Awareness week, Kennesaw CARE services invited the Love Beyond Walls organization to showcase their dignity museum to Kennesaw State students and faculty. The museum will be present on campus for students to view from Nov. 7-11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week take place every year a week before Thanksgiving day. This time of the year compels many to give and be thankful for all their triumphs, downfalls, and loved ones. Our neighbors who lack a home or care do not have the means or resources to properly celebrate this time to take care of themselves and family.
The Dignity Museum is a traveling museum comprised of interactive technology, research, storytelling, exhibits and thought-provoking questions that cause viewers to confront their notions of homelessness and what it takes to escape it. The museum shares the stories of many who are ignored or forgotten while simultaneously conveying the causes of unequal resource allocation.
The museum’s proprietor, Love Beyond Walls is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless people acquire food and clothes while spreading awareness to end the epidemic of homelessness— beginning their efforts in Atlanta. Their organization was formed in 2013 through a captivating story between the founder, Terance Lester, and his wife, Cecilia Lester.
In 2004, the Lesters walked through the downtown Atlanta with two bags of clothes and shoes, asking around for anyone in need of the items. They met a woman who immediately expressed she needed them. As she browsed through the bags, she paused— and caught sight of two black shoes. She said, “I just prayed for a pair of shoes last night, and God answered.”
After their encounter with the woman, the couple began to think about an organization to help other individuals like the woman in need of items such as shoes. In 2013, their dreams turned into a reality, and they commenced Love Beyond Walls.
In 2013, Lester conversed with the family about his idea to put himself in the shoes of the homeless and took to the streets in Atlanta to immerse himself in their life. Shelters, eateries, places to sleep and so forth turned him away for a month. In order to completely serve the homeless community, he felt it was his duty to walk in their shoes and see their day-to-day lives.
“While some criticized my decision, I felt it was critical to walk in the shoes and share the perspective of the people Love Beyond Walls would serve,” Lester said on their “About Us” page.
Their advocation efforts drive them to amplify the stories and realities of those in need through their museum and other endeavors to create solutions surrounding homelessness.