Our House e-newsletter April 2012 | Page 20

Georgia Mjartan In my past two articles of this series celebrating Our House’s 25-year history, I have highlighted the essential role that volunteers, partner organizations, and donors have played over the years making an impact on the lives of the working homeless families and individuals whom we serve. This month, I have been particularly touched by the people who have come through Our House’s program successfully—the graduates, the alumni, the former residents. I have been reminded that the real legacy of Our House is played out in the lives of the children and adults whose stories took a turn for the better when they walked through the gates of our campus. I am grateful for the chance to see these people today and for their courage to come back to Our House— to revisit a difficult time in their lives—to say thank you, to give back, and to inspire others through their testimony. “ ” It was a Wednesday and my agenda was full. I had back-to-back meetings, but on my way out the door, I got a message that a former resident was coming to see me and would be at my office in 15 minutes. I didn’t have time. I called, apologetic, and explained my situation. She sounded disappointed. “Well, can you meet me?” She explained that she was at the Travel Center downtown, having taken the bus to Little Rock