Generic Ministries

Generic Ministries visited Eliot School today. Generic Ministries is an organization that provides clothing, food and other necessities to people who are poor or homeless in Boston. In fact, Eliot third graders have supported Generic Ministries once each month by donating socks that are distributed by the organization. Other grades in our school make sandwiches, decorate lunch bags, donate chapstick and toothpaste.

The gentlemen from Generic Ministries shared some of their experiences delivering to the homeless community. They ended their visit by showing us the van they drive into Boston. The van is filled with clothing, blankets and toiletries to be shared with those in need.

To help third graders understand why we support Generic Ministries, we talked about homelessness today. Third graders learned:

*People who are homeless typically don't have enough money to pay for housing.

*People who are homeless typically don't have enough money to pay for food, clothing and other      essentials.

*People who are homeless are not bad. (I explained to the children that most people are good. Just like most people who have a place to live are good. But, as children, we don't talk to strangers - homeless or otherwise.)


As a follow up to our conversation, we read "Fly Away Home" by Eve Bunting, a story of a little boy and his dad who are homeless and live in an airport.

Children may have some questions or concerns based on their experience today. Please let me know if I can assist in any way.