“I was a single mom who was unemployed, and needed this space to get my daughter clothed for school. I felt so much shame about not being able to take care of her. It made me feel like I was missing something, and it got to the point where I knew I needed help. I’m just very thankful that there was a place like this that I could turn to.  

Later, when I started working, I decided to volunteer here because I really wanted to give back. Then a position opened up as a coordinator part-time. My daughter is 16 now, and I still think about the help I received. I come to work every day excited about helping people, and I think that’s why I’ve been here as long as I have, because I know what it’s like to be on the other side.

I think that people are quick to judge just by an outward appearance or just because you don’t speak the same language. But these are wonderful, talented people. If you sit down and have conversations in this community, you’ll not only learn about them, but you’ll learn more about yourself. Most of us are one not-so-great decision away from being exactly where these people are. So we don’t judge. We want people to be treated like they’re human around here. 

I started collecting giraffes about three years ago. I fell in love with them because of their uniqueness. They move differently. They eat differently. They roam around in their environments differently. They’re just who they are, and they see what’s going on. 

I started collecting them and then it became an obsession. Now people find out I like giraffes and they bring me one they found. We have a partnership with six orphanages and organizations in Africa, so they bring them back to me from there, too. 

I like to go in here and just relax. The last time I counted I had 71 giraffes, and I’m shooting for 100. They’re all at work, because at work I can look and see things from a different perspective, just like the giraffes. They help me be a better director because if I take myself out of the situation and look at it differently, I usually get a better outcome.”

Dessaree Barrows is the Free Store Director for Community Development for All People, an organization dedicated to creating an equitable community. Programs include daily Fresh Markets with free produce for income-eligible individuals, nutrition education, free health and wellness classes, community events, after-school programming, and more.