People are Living in Motels

People are living in motels.

Did you know that?

Thanks to Mary Rose Mission, I’ve been able to help deliver groceries to individuals and families living in pay-by-the-week motels in Northern Kentucky.

The experience is both humbling and horrifying. I had no idea this was happening. Well, no–that’s not true. I think I knew it was happening but assumed it was probably illegal immigrants who didn’t have paperwork to buy or lease a place to live.

In addition to learning what a disgusting person I am, I’ve learned that among the “residents” of these worn-down, vermin-infested buildings are little children and their mother; a woman who has just had surgery and is trying to heal an open wound in her stomach; and plenty of perfectly “normal-looking” people.

These are our neighbors. These are our brothers and sisters. These are the Body of Christ.

The conditions are deplorable. A quick glance inside one of the rooms assured me I’d rather just live in my car. That said, I have a car. Many of these people do not.

(And there we volunteers go, off to help the needy, our nice little caravan of Volkswagens and Lexus SUVs rolling up Dixie Highway.)

People are living in motels.

They deserve better, and we have to do better in service to them.

Everyone’s busy worrying about scandalous sisters, not-really-mandatory birth control and the slippery slope of religious liberty.

But this is a question of basic human dignity. Addressing it is not optional.

How will each of us help make this right?

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Photo: freedigitalphotos.net/Felixco, Inc.

About the Author

Jennifer Scroggins

Jennifer Scroggins joined Franciscan Media in July 2010 as division director of content creation and services. A northern Kentucky native, Jennifer is passionate about travel, sports, cooking, fitness, music and the Catholic faith. She is a member of St. Paul parish in Florence, Ky.