Name: Logan Chen
Social Justice Group: Refugees and Migrants in NYC (A)
Date of Fieldwork: January 18, 2025
Name of Organization and person (people) with whom you met and their title(s):Carl Garrison from Manhattan Church of Christ
What I did and what I learned about my topic, activism, social justice work or civil and human rights work from this fieldwork:
On Saturday, January 18th, my group mate, Oliver and I worked with Carl Garrison at Manhattan Church of Christ. Garrison works with unhoused people and migrants, and offers them food and clothes free of charge. We put together meals including hotdogs, chili, and cheesecake for dessert. I met families, and individuals all with many different lives. However, while they may be homeless, many of them are still joyful. We sang and danced around with them, and listened to their intriguing stories. For example, one man I met had been a preacher and in a choir ever since he was a teenager. He even gave a small performance. But not all stories are cheerful. I also met a father, trying to get enough food to support him and his family. He looked like he hadn’t eaten for days.
Just getting to be in the presence of dozens of people who don’t know where their next meal will come from has made me reflect on how I’ve never had this fear. This really widened my eyes to the experiences people are going through. Garrison is one of the many trying to help unhoused people, along with the over 50,000 migrants in shelters right now. Meeting fathers and children, who have traveled far for this meal has made me more aware that nutrition isn’t guaranteed, and sadly this affects families alike, including many migrant families. I learned that adults are trying to raise children on empty stomachs, or feel guilt that their kids are being sent to school hungry. This made me realize that many kids will not have the nutrition they need to focus in class. I have seen and learned a lot from this fieldwork. However, if you ask me what I take most from this experience, it is getting to be the one to provide a meal for those who really need it.
*Photo from Manhattan Church of Christ’s website.
