Busboys & Poets at 14th and V Streets (photo: Reed)
I decided to go over and grab dinner at Busboys and Poets and see if I could talk with someone about holding my year-end celebration there. They gave me the name of a person to talk to and I followed up later via email. Coincidentally today someone called me back from their organization. They were not interested in hosting the event unless I was going to pay a five-figure amount which is simply not possible and completely outside of the spirit of the Year of Giving. So, if you know of a good venue in Washington, DC that can hold 200+ people and would like a ton of in-kind national and local media, let me know.
Chavon paid her $10 forward. (photo: Reed)
While I was eating I met the person sitting to my right: Chavon. A foster care case worker by day, she was enjoying a respite with friends after a long stressful week. She works with a total of seven kids right now; two of which are siblings. She tells me about each one of them; their ages: 5, 6, 7, 13, 17, 18 and 19. “It’s hard work,” she says exhaling. “But you have to also let people go through their own journey.”
Busboys & Poets gets its name from American poet Langston Hughes. (photo: Reed)
She says she has always been a person naturally oriented to help others. “It’s a passion,” she says with a smile. “You know, every time someone gives you something – even a dollar – it means something.
She says that she has given each one of her kids a notebook that they are to write down things that she tasks them with. “I have to stay on top of them,” she tells me with a slightly more disciplinarian demeanor. “I think that I will see how each one does on their assignments for next week and I’m going to give the $10 to the one who makes the most progress.”
Her two friends that were with her, Carla and Marques, spoke very highly of their friend. “She is a good listener and she’s very honest, brutally honest,” Carla says. Her friend Marques called her “hilarious” and said that she was also very sensitive.
As I left Chavon put a smile on my face when she said, “Reed, this has made my day!”
"Every time somebody gives you something - even a dollar - it means something." - Chavon (photo: Reed)
On Wednesday I got a note from Chavon saying that she had given the $10 to a new client of hers: a 13-year-old girl. “She was very respectful and compliant with the things I tasked her with,” she wrote in her email. “She was able to purchase her own breakfast without having to depend on anyone else.” Getting her email made my day. Thanks Chavon!
The smile! Wow! Chavon can you please be my new best friend? You are truly special.
Reed everytime I read one of these I think “This is my favorite” then I read the next one and say “No, THIS is my favorite”
Then I read Chavon’s and know THIS is my FAVORITE.
Skippymom,
Thank you! Wow…to actually see my words written for others to view brought tears to my eyes. I love what I do. Thank you for reading and your feedback. My heart is smiling. God bless you!
This was a very thoughtful way for Chavon to use the $10. You will find the right place through the right people for your year end event-Could this be outside? Can in be during the day? Near the tent city? I have never seen this tent city, but for some reason it came to mind.
Hi Pat, thanks for the kind words. It’s not something that can probably done outdoors, it will be December here in DC and I imagine it will be quite cold. My plan is to hold it in the evening, I think that allows the most amount of people to attend.
Great Story! It is always wonderful to hear a story of a person who put their all into the world’s most valuable assets, “children.”
Reed, first I would like to thank you for giving away $10 to folks to see what they would do with it. It’s nice when they do pass if forward. Regardless of how they use it, it’s so very kind of you. I read your story and it’s an awesome one. God Bless You.
Chavon, I’m so very proud of you. I don’t have to say very much regarding your heart. It’s always been in the right place.
I love you much! Mom
One of the nicest stories I’ve read in a long time. During these times of inflation and sky rocketing joblessness, it is good to see that somebody still has a giving heart. God bless you Chavon and I’m sure He’s gonna bless you real good. Keep on doing what you’re doing!
Reed,
Another great story! I have enjoyed reading these little snipets of joy and compassion all year long. I was wondering if you were able to contact Chavon at all, and could maybe pass on my info to her. I am very interested in the field she works in, but am just not sure how to go about starting in it and thought maybe she could offer some help/advice Keep up the great work.
Thank you.
Melissa