Peter & Paul educate community with a play
By Kenya Vaughn
For the St. Louis American
“I can’t believe how close I am to being homeless,” one viewer commented to Keith Deisner, development director of Peter & Paul Community Services, Inc., an ecumenical human service agency that provides transitional housing and supportive services to the homeless.
“If I think about it too much, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
After the recent production of “Whispers from the streets,” one would have to be emotionally lobotomized to leave St. Peter and Paul Church and not be overwhelmed by the feeling of “There but for the grace of God go I.”
Peter & Paul, along with Full Circle Theatre Company, presented the production, a dramatized compilation of more than 100 interviews of homeless people and journal reflections of clients served by Peter & Paul as part of National Homelessness Awareness Month. The play presented real-life stories of struggles with homelessness and poverty.
The vignettes showed the people behind the struggle – as human beings who at one time had jobs, family and lives outside of their present situation. The actors were effective in presenting the notion that not only could this be me … but this is me.
The impact of the production on its audience was evident at the reception immediately following the performance. People were conversing, shaking hands and even hugging individuals who would normally trigger them to instinctively clutch their purse or lock their car doors.
“I used to ignore them,” said an onlooker by the name of Ms. Gorsky. “Now I not only want to give them all of my change, but I want to talk to them and hear their story.”
At least for a few minutes, it didn’t matter that some of audience in the church called the venue their home. And the clients of Peter & Paul were eager to share their stories and offer feedback about the production.
“I could relate to everything they talked about, because I lived it,” said Cedric Jeffries, an alumnus of Peter & Paul who began working with them in 2001. “That play was the truth.”
Just speaking to him, it would be hard to fathom that Jeffries spent 11 years in and out of mental institutions and living on the streets.
“I’ve come a long way,” said Jeffries, “from eating out of the garbage and hearing voices that told me that I didn’t deserve to live.” He now has his own home and has been living independently since 2003.
Jeffries is the first to admit his transformation was by no means an easy one. He cites stereotypes and misconceptions as a constant barrier to his recovery. “People believe that you are stupid, unmotivated, lazy, looking for a handout, dirty and crazy,” said Jeffries. “Especially when you’re black. People look at you like you are the worst thing on earth.”
Determined to turn his life around, Jeffries would often search for work while living on the streets, but was unsuccessful.
“When I would go to fill out applications, because of my appearance they would just look at me,” said Jeffries.
In addition to the services of Peter & Paul, Jeffries credited medication and prayer as his “strongholds.” “If I could talk to homeless people as a whole,” said Jeffries, “I would tell them not to give up the fight, press on and to believe in God and themselves.”
“All we wanted to do with this piece was to raise awareness,” Deisner said of the play.
“The more sensitive and aware a person is, the more likely they are to help. And the more our agency and others like us can tear down stereotypes, the more we can be a part of the solution.”
For more information about Peter & Paul Community Services, call (314) 588-71111 or visit www.ppcsinc.org.
