During my sophomore year, I experienced significant pain, frequent headaches, and overall stress primarily due to my academic challenges. The only place where I found solace and peace was the local Barnes & Noble in Concord Square, where I would study or complete assignments. It was there that I met John, a kind and intelligent individual who enjoyed conversing with other cafe patrons. He always had a wealth of wisdom to share, and through him, I connected with other like-minded individuals who became part of our fellowship. The Bookstore/Cafe became a second home to me, alongside our beloved school (Sallies), and John was like a beacon or lighthouse in this home, bringing together a diverse group of beautiful and unique individuals. He is a graduate of St. Marks and previously owned a fashion company, but was lost due to underfunding. Unfortunately, John is currently homeless, and hasn’t really opened up much about his situation up until now. He does not have a home and sleeps in his car, spending most of his time at the cafe. John was previously a tenant at Ingleside Homes where I volunteered as part of my service project. The reason he left was because the living conditions there were not suitable. Prior to that he had been living with his mother who passed away quite some time ago. John has no family left, leaving the holidays to be rough for him each year. Yet,  despite his crippling loneliness he still manages to put on a smile and take pleasure in simply sitting down and enjoying a nice conversation. It’s as though these discussions, these simple pleasurable things are what hold him together and really, what holds all of us together. Nobody wants to be forgotten, this was what really resonated to me when I was at Ingleside. Many folks like John are forgotten, left within the margins to either rot in a nursing home or go hungry in their car, only to be caressed by the cold brisk air, waiting for the next check to come in to make ends meet. But despite all that, something so much as a simple  conversation be it the weather or yapping on about the recent stock market crash, ANYTHING would make their day. For many of us its our parents or grandparents. We often take them for granted when really all it takes is just a simple phone call. Since then, I’ve forwarded him towards the St. Patrick’s Center: A non-profit  Serving people in Wilmington’s East Side neighborhood since 1971. St. Patrick's Center is a compassionate organization dedicated to serving the community. Every month, they provide essential support by feeding 3,500 people and offering 200 services through their dedicated social workers. Additionally, their Senior Center offers a warm and inclusive community to an average of 16 seniors daily, while their paratransit buses provide over 1,000 free trips for seniors each month. In 2022 alone, St. Patrick's Center served around 30,000 individuals, demonstrating their commitment to making a positive impact. Furthermore, they deliver approximately 400 Meals-on-Wheels meals each month, ensuring that those in need have access to nutritious food. With your help thousands like John can find hope in the darkness, a testament to the world that the light of Christ still shines! As John was a beacon for me, I invite you to return that light for those like him. Let us uncover it from the bushel baskets and proclaim the gospel, not just by words but by embodying it in our daily lives: right now, this instant, in the present, In this fleet-footed moment!