The Harry Tompson Center is committed to providing a calm and caring environment in which to serve the needs of the poor and homeless in the downtown New Orleans area. The Center is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all those who come to us in need, not merely by responding to physical needs, but also by attending to the whole person with respect and compassion, after the example of Jesus.

Dan the Man (Menace)?

(Written in October 2007) To our guests I am referred to as “Dan the Man” or better yet, “Dan the Shower Man” and “Dan the Laundry Man.”  That is because these are my primary duties here, and I do them par excellence thank you very much.  But to my co-workers, I can become Dan the Menace at the Harry Tompson Center.   I proved this my first day on the job.  My big task of the day was moving the giant fans from the church to the pantry of the Center.  I accomplished this fine but not without getting covered in tiger stripes by the thick coats of dust from the fan.  The sisters were very polite about what an utter mess I was, but I’m sure inside they wondered what in God’s name the cat dragged in from Michigan.  I think I lost or misplaced my keys twice before we opened, in which case I was gently reminded that one key basically opens up every door in the center and therefore probably should not get in the wrong hands (I now faithfully where a lanyard like a leash everywhere I go!)  We have begun to have many new amazing volunteers to help us in our work and at first I was a bit of a Tom Sawyer, getting others to do my work while I go socialize with our guests (network, really).  I may also have nodded off during one of our first official meetings, or maybe some of the other ones too a little (not for lack of interest though.  Laundry is tiring!)  But like the Menace, I think that our volunteers and co-workers find me deep down to be quite charming and lovable, if I do say so myself.

Writer’s Note (Written December 12, 2007): Add to this special list my message over the PA system the first day it was installed, which went something like this: “Could Sister Leah, or, wait…(mad laughing ensues).  I won’t live that one down for a while now.

Oh yes, and I’m running my first meeting tomorrow.  Wish me luck! 


Dan Thelen 2007-12-12

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