Every human being has an equal, inherent worth and right to dignity. –Mission Statement for Freeport Trailer
CoLoKi Compassion, Love and Kindness at the Freeport trailer.
I sat down with my friend Liz O’Shaughnessy, who is the executive director of the Freeport trailer. The trailer is a safe heaven for day laborers that provides a hot meal, resources, esl classes as well as compassion and empathy for the men, women, and entire families that live in the area and utilize the trailer.
The trailer is the only municipally sanctioned facility on Long Island. Liz got involved over 10 years ago when she stopped by to make a clothing donation and asked Father Tom, who was running things at the time for Catholic Charities, a simple question, how can I help? What can I do? His answer was, treat these people with dignity.
Liz did that and a whole lot more. A labor of love and compassion she has worked for over 10 years to provide this resource for the nameless, faceless day workers that most people drive past without a thought.
These men are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families just like everyone else.
As Liz says, not everyone is an angel, of course. Issues arise when you have a community of mostly uneducated people who live and grow up in poverty with a language barrier who have to work twice as hard to just make ends meet. They never turn anyone away but if a problem arises, as Liz says, I’m not always nice. But just like any good parent we can’t always be Mrs. nice guy.
On the whole this has been a gift in her life that she is able to profoundly help people every day. What an inspiration and example for everyone. If we all could be a little kinder, a little more compassionate. Look people in the eye, say good morning, hello, thank you. As the mission statement says, Every human being has an equal, inherent worth and right to dignity.
If you want to help keep the trailer going or come and visit the trailer please contact:
Freeporttrailer.com or colokiinc.com
Email; coloki@gmail.com
516-442-0955
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