Santa Claus came early to Valley Place. Little boys and girls shyly whispered their wishes in his ear. Then, with shouts of excitement, they unwrapped the new dolls and toy trucks he pulled from his big red bag.
On the evening of Dec. 17, the small community room at the 18-unit transitional housing program in Anacostia had been transformed with garlands and colorful lights by volunteers from Homeless Children’s Playtime Project.
When the children were not talking with Santa they were listening to stories and playing pin-the-red nose on Rudolph with Stephanie Marrone, Tania Murray and the other volunteers. Or they were busy making gifts for their parents: picture framed with popsicle sticks and ornaments crafted with pom-poms, glitter and glue.
“I will cherish this,’’ Aisia Bing said as her four year old son Darryl presented her with a carefully decorated paper plate.
The young woman said she and her son have been at Valley Place for two years. They came to the transitional program from a shelter. The place has helped Bing in immense ways, she says.
“I felt lost when I got here. They made me feel comfortable and loved. “But she said she hopes that by the time next Christmas rolls around, she will have a job and she and her son will have a home of their own.
“God willing,” she said.
Yet amid the hard work of moving toward independence, this holiday season will be one to treasure for the families of Valley Place, said Selam Kidane, site manager at the housing program, run by the nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless.
“I think it will be a wonderful time,” she said.
