Why I continue to help after entering the store by mistake

2024年5月20日 22:00

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”Ibasho no Iba sho” is run by several volunteers led by Polaris, a general incorporated association.
Today I will write about the background and events to let you know how I started working with Polaris!

An encounters guided by Google Map

It was probably the most surprising introduction than anyone else.

It was one afternoon in October. Due to a sudden change in plans, I was strolling around Morishita Station... It was around 1:30pm, and some nice looking restaurants were just finishing their lunch hours. I found a cute shop on Google Maps.

“Are you alone?”
“Please come!”

I entered the store as I was kind of sucked in by the dazzling smile and warm invitation.

Although I was thinking to have some coffee, the moment I sat down, a delicious looking bowl of ramen and hijiki rice were served to me with a perfect and extravagant smile.

Really? Isn't it a cafe?

Yes, it was Polaris Morishita's first children's cafeteria day.

Was it a coincidence or necessity? Helping with the next event was decided through verbal agreement.

A very unexpected event.

But with the warm, delicious food and kind smiles, I started to enjoy myself.

Actually, for about two and a half years, I had worked with another organization to support the children living in foster care facilities.
I was originally interested in the activities of children's cafeterias.
I also work in the mental health field. I felt the need for a third place and was in the process of exploring what I could do.

Things overlapped, the conversation progressed, and we started working on it from the next month! I have decided to help .

I wasn't really expecting her to contact me, so I was really surprised.

My feelings through my activities

The children's cafeteria has been running for months.

We are truly grateful that the number of repeat customers has been increasing. The customers are all warm-hearted and laugh at the staff's chaotic activities.

"It was delicious!" They say showing their shiny plates.
Every month, I get cheered up by the many cute angels who show me their shiny plates.

We look forward to watching children's growth every month.

I think children's cafeterias are recognized as something that was born out of "measures for poor families." Of course that is true, but I wish that the importance of another aspect of children's cafeterias, "as places for community interaction", would be recognized more.
Polaris activities are divided into weekly contents.

The first Saturday is Chiku Chiku Handicraft Club (held on alternate months), the second Saturday is a girl's relaxing cafe, the third Saturday is a singing cafe for people over 65 years old, and the fourth Saturday is a children's cafeteria.

Although they are divided by generation, they all consistently provide "Ibasho", "A place where one belongs".

As we work together, I really feel that Ms. Miyagawa has a warm heart for everyone, and she warmly welcomes everyone.

In the past, I have had close encounters with people who have broken down due to loneliness and isolation. No matter how strong you are, there is a limit to how much you can handle on your own, and I think it's inevitable that there will come a time when you can't do the things you used to be able to do or can't work hard due to your biorhythm.

You can't tell anyone close to you, or you don't want to say it.
Or you have become tired with the hassles of human relationships.

At times like that, if Polaris exists as a third place,I sometimes think that I might be able to support someone.

Everyone has various circumstances that cannot be understood from the outside. There are probably things about one's past that they don't want to talk about easily, or realities that they don't want to face.

I hope that Polaris will be a place where people can forget about the bad things while they are here, or look forward to going to Polaris on the weekend, so they try their best.

They can relax while they are at Polaris. It would be great if there are more places like that for everyone in the area, and I hope I could contribute to creating a place like that.