For nearly a decade, Elaine Gibson has donated her time, energy and hard-earned money to lift up women in the Bronx experiencing homelessness. She first felt a calling to lend a hand 12 years ago when she met a young woman who was homeless at the Montefiore Moses coffee shop in Williamsbridge where Gibson worked.
Gibson asked the young woman where she would go for that Thanksgiving, and when the young woman said she would be eating at McDonalds, Gibson decided that she would do what she could to help the woman change her circumstances.
What started as a personal connection between two women, bloomed into years of supporting homeless women in the Bronx.
“ If I could change that one life, I could start doing something more,” Gibson said.
Gibson lived on Sedgwick Avenue, down the street from a women’s shelter in the Bronx for 20 years. Now, even after moving to Yonkers, she brings home-cooked food, coats, socks and clothing to the residents at The Stadium Women’s Shelter, near her old home, every month.
Last week, she got help from Montefiore Moses hospital. Montefiore anesthesiologist Dr. Vilma Joseph and two medical students helped Gibson pack up period products as part of the Feminine Hygiene Initiative to donate to the women Gibson serves in the shelter.
Gibson said it’s not uncommon to receive donations at just the right time.
“Women ask me for these things and then all of a sudden donations just come,” Gibson said. “It’s like speaking out in the universe, and it just appears.”
But it’s not just clothes and toiletries that Gibson uses to lift spirits. Gibson has organized parties where volunteers spend time catering to the women, giving them makeovers or doing a photoshoot. Gibson described one event that had a beach theme, where she brought beach towels, bags and beach balls so that the next time the women took a trip to the beach, they would have things to bring with them.
“I want them to feel like they’re somewhere special, and they are special,” Gibson said.
Over the years, some of the women she’s helped have left the shelter system and have gone on to help other New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. One woman, who moved out of the shelter seven months ago, still keeps in touch with Gibson, spending time with her and her family, and returning to the shelter to help other women.
“ Now she’s working,” Gibson said. “She has two jobs, but she’s always willing to give back.”
Gibson said that helping others gave her a break from the challenges in her own life.
“Whatever you’re dealing with, it’s okay,” Gibson said. “Because you’re helping others, and you won’t be focusing on it so much.”
That’s been especially true since Gibson’s son Miles Gibson was murdered when he was 22-years old nearly three years ago inside a Manhattan night club. Gibson said that her family, including her late son’s three children, is still waiting for the case against the New Jersey man arrested for the fatal stabbing to go to trial.
She said that working with women in the shelter has allowed her to find gratitude for the 22 years she had with her son and softened her heart toward the man charged with his murder.
“ I’ve still found myself forgiving that person,” Gibson said. “I’m going to say that when I go to court.”
“I know I really truly mean that because it heals you when you forgive,” she said.
Gibson said she tries to share the gift of gratitude with the women she serves.
“So, in the midst of adversities, I look at the blessing in it,” Gibson said. “And I tell them that all the time at the shelter, and with whoever comes in my path. That’s what I say: there’s things that happen, and if you focus on the blessing, you won’t focus on the storm that happened.”
