The Stewpot, an organization affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary next month by highlighting its ongoing commitment to serving those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Dallas.
As part of the celebration, the Writers’ Workshop, a key program of The Stewpot, has compiled the work of its attendees and artists from The Stewpot Art Program into a new book titled Thy Neighbor: Stories of Struggle, Strength, and Shared Humanity.
This compilation is available to supporters of The Stewpot through a donation of $30 or more.
The book is brought to life by three dedicated editors, one of whom is Oak Cliff’s William ‘Bill’ McKenzie, alongside North Dallas’s Poppy Sundeen.
Both editors have significantly contributed to the workshop in various capacities over the years.
McKenzie, a contributing columnist for The Dallas Morning News and senior editorial advisor for the George Bush Institute, first engaged with The Stewpot in 1993 as a volunteer serving meals.
His journey into writing and editing for The Stewpot began around 2019 or 2020 when he sought deeper involvement in the organization and established a weekly writing workshop.
Interestingly, around the same time he initiated his volunteer work, McKenzie learned of the passing of the previous editor of The STREETZine, a street paper published by The Stewpot since 2003.
This loss catalyzed his idea to establish a writing workshop that would not only fill the void left by the previous editor but also provide an avenue for those experiencing homelessness to share their stories.
Initially, The STREETZine and the Writers’ Workshop operated separately, but they have since merged efforts to enhance community engagement and expression, as McKenzie notes.
The belief in the power of storytelling to provide a voice and foster catharsis is echoed by Sundeen, who became involved after purchasing a copy of The STREETZine and subsequently volunteering six years ago.
With a career spanning over 45 years in advertising and marketing, Sundeen utilized her writing expertise to produce articles for The STREETZine.
Reflecting on their inspirations, McKenzie and Sundeen recalled reading a book about the experiences of homeless individuals in Canada, which sparked the idea to create a similar volume focused on the voices within their own community.
After brainstorming and pitching the idea to The Stewpot leadership, the project progressed from concept to reality, leading to the creation of Thy Neighbor.
The book consists of essays created during the Writers’ Workshops and features the contributions of nine talented writers alongside artwork from Stewpot artists.
The content is divided into three chapters that explore the multifaceted experiences of individuals facing homelessness while also addressing the notion of loving one’s neighbor, reflecting on a philosophy central to their mission.
The title, Thy Neighbor, was inspired by Sundeen’s personal connections with an unhoused neighbor who expressed gratitude for the church’s adherence to the biblical directive of loving one’s neighbor.
Throughout the year-long process of creating the book, McKenzie was moved by the honesty and willingness of the writers to share their personal stories, noting that participation was entirely voluntary.
Sundeen shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the community’s bond formed through the shared act of writing about both personal challenges and triumphs during their weekly sessions.
These gatherings, held every Friday morning, not only allow participants to present their written works but also to share their life experiences, fostering a supportive environment.
McKenzie hopes the book will enlighten readers about the individuality of people who are unhoused, as he aims to dispel stereotypes surrounding homelessness.
Sundeen also expressed a desire for readers to recognize that every person facing homelessness has a distinct story, emphasizing the inherent humanity and value of those they refer to as their neighbors at The Stewpot.
As The Stewpot prepares for its milestone anniversary, the release of Thy Neighbor stands as a testament to the organization’s enduring mission and the power of storytelling as a means of connection and understanding within the community.
image source from：oakcliff
