After the intake and COVID test we walk them to the other side of the warehouse. On the way we pass through the Comidor where we eat at 8am, 12, and 6pm. We pass the Cuarto de Salidas (Leaving Room) where we meet before the shuttles arrive to take guests to the airport or bus stations in order to give them a little more information, tickets if we've printed them out, coats if they are headed north, and a travel bag with food for the journey. Then past the office-the brains, where we take ticket information and decide which shuttle people will leave on, give out OTC meds, answer questions and try not to drop any of the many balls. Then we lead into the phone call area.
There are three tables at the front and we try to have three volunteers to help make the phone calls. While the wall they look at while waiting is not too bright with color...the three other walls have bright murals.
During phone calls we call sponsors-family or friends-who are waiting for our guests. We explain where we are and where to buy tickets from. We let them know when we have free shuttles and when they would need to get a taxi, depending on the timing of the travel. I would explain to the guest first and then call the sponsor. I would offer for them to talk to the sponsor to explain (as they can speak better than I can) but usually they want me to speak first. Sometimes the sponsor speaks English, and other times I use the script in front of me. And it works.
Sometimes our guests have already contacted their people from their own phones. Some of them are going to get picked up the same day by friends or friends of friends in town. We get to walk them to the door and witness a reunion. Hugs and tears and it is one of the most beautiful parts of what we get to do.
