Two classes from the Department of Urban Studies and Planning – Life Course Scholars on aging and Urban Challenges on homelessness – put together 500 sweet Valentine’s Day gift bags and cards for the homeless clients of Jewish Family Service's Safe Parking Program and the seniors at Potiker Family Center, Talmadge Gateway and North Park Seniors. Photos by Griffen Dempsey.
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The gift bags included chocolates, hand sanitizer, friendship bracelets, fruit and a sweet letter from the students.
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They called their project "Love in the Time of COVID."
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The letter from the classes to the recipients read, in part: "Our wishes for you are that… You remain safe, healthy, and happy; that the coming months treat you well and that you are able to move beyond the challenges you’ve endured in recent times; that you find joy and light..."
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One of the two masterminds of the project: Urban Studies and Planning faculty member Mirle Rabinowitz-Bussell.
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Ribbon at the ready.
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Friendship bracelets.
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Candy galore.
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Fruit! With the other mastermind of the "Love in the Time of COVID" project, USP faculty member and Anthropology doctoral alumna Leslie R. Lewis.
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Toothbrushes were part of the care-package mix, too.
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All set to go. A recipient later wrote back to say, "Your 'small' gift was huge. Being older and alone is hard... When I received your kind gift I cried. Thank you."
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