Tag: homelesness

We are The Champions

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on June 17, 2015. Posted in HOMELESSNESS. 8 Comments

When I began talking about a Door of Hope writing group book, people told me the book had to include my voice. Feature my voice, even. This was not what I wanted. Specifically, I didn’t want to be the well-off white woman who began working with those who had no shelter and immediately had the bright idea to write a book about her experience....

That’s the Way Rumors Get Started

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on November 19, 2014. Posted in HOMELESSNESS, Writing. 12 Comments

This morning at the church service attended mainly by those living on the streets, one of the guys told me about two recent incidents when he’d been told he was an inspiration. He began the story by saying, “I’m not telling you this to to be bragging.” I’ve known him for about a year and a half. He wasn’t telling...

Our Failure to Address Violence Against the Homeless

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 19, 2014. Posted in General. 5 Comments

I knew him as a willing orator. At any given Memphis School for Servant Leadership gathering, he might rise and recite one of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches. “Recite” is too tame a word. He would perform the speeches. From memory, without notes, with passion. I knew him as a part of the life of the school. I was quite taken...

Old Stories Found

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on September 3, 2014. Posted in General. 5 Comments

After a long hiatus, I submitted a couple of short stories to literary magazines today. I’ve been working on the new website, mulling over what stories I wanted to include. The website will have a “Photo Bio” featuring a sentence about my life that reflects a dominant themes in my work and a representative photo. Click on the...

It’s Here—The Cover Art!

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on July 29, 2014. Posted in General. 7 Comments

WRITING OUR WAY HOME: A GROUP JOURNEY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS (THE BOOK)

Our Very Own Banner

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on July 23, 2014. Posted in General. 2 Comments

I cannot be at the Wednesday morning church service this week where “art” is defined as crosses made from chip bags thrown into the streets of the neighborhood, but I’m there nonetheless. I stab my thumb with my needle, and I’m remembering the suggestions for images to include on our new banner: an eagle, World Love,...

How Have Your Dreams Changed?

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on June 25, 2014. Posted in General. 4 Comments

(Written today at Door of Hope Writing Group) When I was in junior high, I wanted to be a Viking. A Viking wife, actually, who stood on the deserted beach and threw logs on a blazing bonfire as I gazed out to sea, awaiting the return of the long-unseen ship. In high school, I dreamed of moving to Maine and living on the pounding coastline where...

Don’t Re-Read Your Journal if You Can’t Take It

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on May 20, 2014. Posted in General. 4 Comments

The entries are from 2008. I had been involved with writing group for a year. Each week, after we met, I came home and wrote into the journal every significant thing I could remember having happened. The journal helped me process the chaotic hour that was a weekly writing group of men and women who had experienced homelessness. I am reviewing...

The Morning of Hearts and Crosses

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on February 19, 2014. Posted in General. 6 Comments

I groan and complain because it’s early in the morning and as my husband says, “You’ve never been a morning person.” I’ve decided, in fact, this is not my ministry. Opportunities to give back abound; it’s my choice how to respond. I’ll go one more time and then I’ll ease out. Let someone more suited...