The Labyrinth at CLRC

Let's just say that the past few days have been challenging. After the shopping center owner (Al) made his appearance on Saturday, his secretary was sure to show her heated face Monday morning, letting us know just how angry & concerned Al is...AKA the man with lots of power and money, specifically to close us down. After telling us to try harder since there are still guys up on the street, we then explained how the men up there say that only the police will move them, not us. She also said that maybe this isn't the best place for the center. There have been clear hints from both of them at the possibility that they may close us down in the future [near, far, sometime, never?].

The issues are very complex and today we held a long open discussion or asamblea with the guys who ARE at the center to discuss the current situation and to hopefully better understand some of the men up on the corners. (There was a huge group around today because it was pouring all morning = no jobs.) Looking around, I could see a lot of them are feeling this deeply because this has been a strong community for them that has helped them grow and succeed so much over the past few months. The issue of communicating with the men on the streets gets complicated quickly because of pretty clear barriers that exist between the two groups of men, those on the street and those in the center (separate groups exist even within those up there based on anything from religion to country of origin).

Something that I find really interesting is how often religion comes up when I talk with them. Some just mention it in passing such as going to church or mentioning Dios in a sentence. Others share more of their beliefs. I've been told by some who identify themselves as Evangelical Christians that they believe God'll provide - to them, that means if God wants me to have a job, I'll get one on the street today. They are blinded to the fact that the center IS indeed a blessing from God!

Let's take a step back because I can't be quick to judge and accuse them of being ignorant. In Guatemala (where many of them are from) any sort of collaboration was entirely dangerous. The majority of them did not have any access to useful resources or assistance they needed. Because of that, they now approach any sort of organized helping hand with fear and skepticism. Hence, some of them see the CLRC and us gringos on the streets as a menacing pack.

At this point, Alice believes that one of two things are going to happen:
1. The police will get more involved by taking pictures of specific men who are standing by signs that prohibit loitering (which are still yet to come). They would then threaten that if they come back and find the same man there identified in the picture, they will press charges AND arrest him. Not only would they face charges for a misdemeanor but the majority of them would have to face consequences of not having proper US citizen papers.
2. Al & his crew will simply decide to close the center.

How are we responding?
Well, we (Shani, Molly, Alice, Devin and me - though I'm still learning a LOT) are trying our very best to think outside the box to attract both contractors and workers who still engage in street-side negotiations. We probably cannot survive by being just a labor resource center anymore. We've come to the point where we believe we might as well take risks in what we are doing. What that looks like, we're not quite sure yet. Advocacy? Getting police involved? No easy answers after draining our brains for creative, novel, genius ideas.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 

-Romans 5:3-5