By Kate Smith

The Robert Lewis House is one of the local women’s shelters that receive Cheerful Givers birthday bags for the children that stay there. This month, however, we are shifting the focus from birthdays to Thanksgiving and learning a little bit about how the Robert Lewis House residents celebrate during this special holiday.

The activities that take place on Thanksgiving all depend on how many people are at the shelter that day, according to Support Worker, Sexual Assault Advocate and Safe at Home Application Assistant, Kelli.  

“A lot of times the women go to their families’ houses,” she explained. “But the staff will try to make some type of dinner or help residents cook dinner if anyone is there.”

Kelli recalled a memorable experience cooking a Thanksgiving dinner together with one resident who did not have anyone to visit on Thanksgiving, as her abuser had isolated her from her family. “She was so thankful to have someone help her even though I didn’t know how to cook! She was laughing and teaching me what to do. It was great having that one-on-one interaction and knowing we were making her holiday a little better.”

In addition to the staff helping to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for residents, Kelli stated that sometimes various volunteer groups come in to cook a meal for the residents as well. If you are interested in volunteering this Thanksgiving at the Robert Lewis House in Eagan, visit their website at www.communityactioncouncil.org.

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