PLEASE MEET SABINA:
We all feel it. Change has already come to our lives because of Covid-19. The ripples are extending relentlessly. One after another we hear of a new struggle, surprised by it at first and then realizing sadly, duh, of course that would happen, how could it not have.
This morning I felt it again when visiting Real Change Vendor Sabina Lopez, who hasn't sold a paper in weeks. She said, "You can't sell papers to people who aren't there."
My heart dropped. Another moment of realizing, "Duh, of course". I had not even thought about all those beautiful vendors and the horrible impact this was going to bring.
Yesterday Real Change suspended printing the paper. They've gone to on-line publication only, until further notice. They are focused on how to best give support to those in the community.
For those of us that can continue with some income, the worries are about health and happiness. For those that were already on the poverty line, or below it, their worries include food, shelter, survival.
You can help support Real Change Vendors right now by donating to their "Real Change Vendor Relief Fund."
https://51573.thankyou4caring.org/venmo-your-vendor-?fbclid=IwAR0jecrz6yve33rK4BzKMQBPay8ybpbxvdI3scmCbFsysPt-j8jNboAYPFU
This is Sabina. She's been a RC Vendor for about 7 years. When we first met she was living outside, struggling deeply, being ruled by her drinking. Today she lives in Chief Seattle Club's Eagle Village, has been sober for about 2 years, and is engaged to Ray, wowWOW!!
If you want to help Sabina, and I so hopeHOPE you do, please go to: Venmo, then Real Change, then Sabina Lopez, and then enter her badge #11690 and donate.
ALSO, in the link above you can find your favorite RC Vendor and provide support for them through this very difficult time. Even a little matters a great deal. A heartfelt THANK YOU!
Tim Harris, who is the Real Change Founding Director, and a personal heroANDmentor of mine, shared: "It's hard. Vendors really miss both the income and the community. Our priority is to keep everyone safe and supported while we publish the paper each week at realchangenews.org. We're very inspired by the amazing community support we've seen the past few weeks, and will be back on the street as soon as possible."
Seattle Neighborhoods | Rex
A QUIET THOUGHT - If you're moved by the goodness of this community, please visit http://www.facinghomelessness.org/ and click on the 'donate' button and consider a "monthly recurring" donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#Kindness #JustSayHello #FacingHomelessness RealChange VendorProgram Crosscut KING 5 Chief Seattle Club Colleen Echohawk-Hayashi