Just Like Me and You

Children in grades 3rd – 5th at Chalmers Elementary School, located across the street from CCIL, focused their service learning project on homelessness this spring. Upon visiting CCIL, the students learned first-hand about the issue. Compelled and motivated by their CCIL experience, the students thought about various ways they could help. In partnership with America SCORES Chicago, the girls’ team presented the poem below.

Just Like Me and You
America SCORES Chicago
Chalmers 3rd - 5th Grade Girls Team

Help the homeless,
Yeah, that’s what we said.
You can’t treat them like garbage
just because they don’t have a roof over their head.

CCIL (repeat x4)

Homelessness can happen to anyone,
it could happen to you.
We’re the Chalmers Cavaliers
here to tell you what you can do.

Donate money.
Volunteer your time.
Read books to kids.
Write a poem.
Draw pictures for the families.
Cook a meal.
Shake their hand.
Smile and laugh.

Don’t be afraid to reach out your hand.
We need to understand
the lesson that we planned.

CCIL (repeat x4)

They might need a friend.
The CCIL knows what to do.
Think about how we can help.
Homeless people have talents too.

At first we felt sad
because we didn’t know what to do.
Now we understand that they are families,
just like me and you.

Happiness comes from who we are
not from what we have.
So do something to make a difference,
and you will feel glad.

About America SCORES…
America SCORES Chicago strives to empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression, and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifiying value, America SCORES Chicago inspires youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities.