makingHOMES

makingHOMES:

“We did it!” It’s easy to look around after completing a new BLOCK Home and take pride in our accomplishment, particularly now that BLOCK Homes are built entirely by community volunteers. Smiles are exchanged, tools are stowed away, and there is an awareness that, soon, one more person will no longer live unsheltered in Seattle. We feel JOY in having built this home with little more than the simple decision made by regular people to do so.

After construction, the next crucial step is required, and that step is taken collectively through the Facing Homelessness network of love. That’s where we invite you in.

Care is shown in the little things--hand towels, a natural soap, privacy curtains, a mug to drink something warm from. These details and provisions, and the care behind them, demonstrate our love for new friends moving into BLOCK Homes. Throughout the trials of COVID-19, and all that life has brought this last year, hosts are still saying “Yes, in my backyard.” We are on track to build at least five new homes in backyards across Seattle--from West Seattle, to Ballard, to Mount Baker. Within these five homes are countless connections, opportunities to care, to come closer, and to be part of the solution.

In order to prepare a BLOCK Home for a new resident, or possibly a mother and infant, we provide “Welcome Home Kits” upon move in. Guided by our resident’s needs, these kits include custom made curtains, sheets, towels, and privacy dividers. We make sure our residents have the pots, pans, and utensils they need to cook a hot meal, and the plates and bowls to eat it with. Through the provisions of Welcome Home Kits, new residents can focus on settling in, enjoying privacy, and continuing their work of healing from the traumas of homelessness.

Each full Welcome Home Kit costs $1,000. Due to the very specific sizing and needs of the BLOCK homes, we cannot accept in kind donations at this time, so please donate through the Paypal link, or send a check with “Welcome Home Kit” in the memo line, and we’ll take it from there. Every gift helps transform houses into HOMES. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for 5 BLOCK Homes. As always, together we are Facing Homelessness.

Welcome Home Kit: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=K928P352YVBF6

No funds will go to Facing Homelessness. Any funds in excess of $5,000 will remain in the Welcome Home Kit fund for future Welcome Home Kits.

Crown Hill Neighborhood | Phoebe, Barron, and Sue

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 gift that is meaningful to you--even a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#facinghomelessness #justsayhello #kindness #yesinmybackyard #theblockproject

windowFACES

PLEASE HEAR KARINA:

Karina answers the phone. “I’m obviously concerned,” she breathes into the phone. “This whole week we’ve heard that it’s supposed to snow. It has me worried.” Karina runs the Window of Kindness and sees firsthand how the needs among our unsheltered friends and neighbors become more acute as the temperatures drop. New faces, longer lines, and hectic service hours are all symptoms of the pandemic, and they are increasing. She knows our supplies are in demand and decreasing. At the window, life-saving supplies are given to neighbors living outside. People also come for conversation, a kind face, deep compassion, and someone who knows their name. Karina is all of these things, and she’s under pressure with winter’s harsh arrival.

“Somebody was recently hospitalized because of frostbite. Their toes were amputated.” There’s a pause again. “It’s going to happen even more in the weeks to come. It’s making me sad. We need more supplies. I feel helpless.” Now, it’s my turn to inhale.

“Seeing people freezing, barely able to move their hands, shivering out in the cold . . . it’s really impacting me. I see people suffering. It’s not that I hear people complaining. It’s just seeing it with my own eyes. No one has to say anything, I can tell from their faces.” Karina holds so many stories. “People are getting sick from the cold. Emotions have been intense this week. We lift spirits, but we haven’t had blankets. People are getting discouraged when we don’t have sleeping bags. It’s harder to say no and see their reactions.”

This, friends, is why we ask you to come closer. COVID limits proximity, but that hasn’t applied to the window, or to Karina. She’s been here, every week, throughout the entirety of the pandemic. Karina knows the look of suffering in someone's eyes when they smile, thank her, and turn to brave another cold night in frost-bitten Seattle. Now, we need you.

Our friends need sleeping bags, tents, tarps, blankets, and hand-warmers. Can you commit to sending something for next week? And maybe the week after? A steady stream of supplies will save lives. Drop off or mail to: 4001 9th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105. Thank you.

University District Neighborhood | Barron

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! #facinghomelessness #justsayhello #kindness #TheBLOCKProject #yesinmybackyard

findingHOME

PLEASE MEET JAMES:

Many of you who follow this page have known and walked with us alongside James over the past nine years. He is an important and beloved member of this community.

Many of you know James was homeless for over 40 years, that he lived in the Montlake neighborhood under the overpass and was a part of that neighborhood and community. Many of you met him during the years he flew a cardboard sign at the 520 off-ramp. There, he met people in their cars, and so many from this community connected with him through a simple smile and through other support.

Many of you have participated in sending James birthday cards over the years to remind him that no distance or separation will stand between our love for him, and his deep belonging to this community.

2020 was a hard year for so many of us. This has been especially true for James.

In February 2020, James was admitted to the hospital and at the time was still living outside. You may remember this post in which Rex acknowledged the grief and the praise surrounding James’ life living homeless in Seattle. https://www.facebook.com/HomelessInSeattle/posts/2992756594102897. At the time of the post, YOU raised emergency funds to help James when he exited the hospital so he could purchase essential items. THANK YOU! Through it all, James remains resilient, kind, and hopeful, modeling an unparalleled bravery in his character.

In May 2020, James received housing with support from a network of caring individuals, most importantly his friend and advocate Blair Jordan!
https://www.facebook.com/HomelessInSeattle/posts/3223229951055559.
You were there when we CELEBRATED with James and supported this major transition by sending him cards, items for his new home, and expressing your love for him (He never stops talking about the cards). Moving is a huge deal, even more so if you have been living outside in survival mode for 40 years. For everything YOU did to welcome James home, THANK YOU!

In December 2020, James was urgently admitted to the hospital again after suffering a stroke. During his time in the hospital, he contracted COVID-19, and James SURVIVED, again, unwilling to bow to the misfortunate life throws at him.

Day by day, James perseveres in a struggle for life, for housing, and for love. You are part of that wrestling, and as a community we have James’ back. It is time once again to show up for James in all of the beautiful ways this community has over the years. If you don’t know James, we hope you will take a minute to see him and recognize his profound resilience. He has weathered odds that would have brought many to their knees.

James’ birthday was January 7th, just last week, and we once again ask you to celebrate James and remind him of our care by sending him a birthday card. Cards can be sent to Facing Homelessness | 4001 9th Ave NE | Seattle 98105. We will make sure the cards are received by James’ friend Blair who will help him read your beautiful messages. As always, if you want to include $5 or a gift card, please do!

James wants to return to his permanent housing, the home he has created, and not to return to the streets of Seattle. Given the situation with his health, he needs extra support for this to be possible. His case management team and friend Blair are working on connecting James to various resources to support him longer term. In the meantime, we would like to raise $1,000 to help modify his apartment to accommodate a wheelchair, and to provide him with clothing and food.

Funds are used by Facing Homelessness to procure this ask. No funds will go directly to James and no funds go to Facing Homelessness. If there are funds remaining, they will go to another person who is in need.

THANK YOU! With love and deep appreciation,

South Seattle | Barron and Jennifer

UPDATE! Donation link has been taken down because YOU have raised just over $1,050 for James, in such a small time, WOW! This will be a HUGE help and support to James in helping him get the necessities he needs. THANK YOU for all of your generosity and your beautiful comments of love, support, and connection. This is a great example of how big of an impact communities can make when we work together, alongside our unhoused neighbors. SO much love to all of you!

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!
#facinghomelessness #justsayhello #kindness #yesinmybackyard #theblockproject

IMAGINEif: we all turned belief into action

IMAGINEif we all turned belief into action:

Friends, belief is powerful. From the very beginning, everything Facing Homelessness does has been driven by our belief that we all have a part to play in ending the homeless crisis.

Our beliefs drive us to welcome people who’ve been isolated. Our beliefs guide us to look people in the eyes, listen to their stories, treat them with compassion, and provide the immediate resources of food, clothing, and kindness that they need. Our beliefs turn extra space in people's backyards into safe, warm homes for the unsheltered community members who surround our neighborhoods.

Belief can only take us so far. It has to be fueled by shared efforts and commitments that lie within each of us. Ultimately, it takes shared resources. This community and donors like you are the reason this work is possible - and the reason we’ve raised $129,000+ towards our $200,000 year-end fundraising goal.

https://give.classy.org/FH2020

We need to hit that goal! If you haven’t donated yet to IMAGINEif, our 2020 Year-End Campaign, please donate today. Share the campaign with those who trust and support you. We need you to believe in Facing Homelessness, and to turn that belief into action.

If you believe that where you live does not define who you are - donate now. If you believe we all live better when we feel loved - donate now. If you believe in second chances - donate now.

Together, we can end homelessness.

https://give.classy.org/FH2020

What you give now will be doubled by a generous matching donor. You will help shape the future of someone living outside, the future of our city, and the future of Facing Homelessness. Please, give what you can today.

With gratitude,
The Facing Homelessness staff, board and volunteers

IMAGINEif: everyone had what they needed to be OK

IMAGINEif everyone had what they needed to be OK:

Since the pandemic began, the Window of Kindness (WOK) has
remained open every single week. In that time, the number of visitors we support has nearly doubled, averaging thirty visitors per day. With cold weather and rain approaching, we’re anticipating increases. Our visitors have expressed enormous gratitude, sharing that organizations like ours across the city have shrunk or disappeared as non-profts work hard to adapt.

Because of YOUR support, we have adapted protocols, maintained dedicated volunteer support and kept the WOK open. The WOK is a survival service for our unsheltered community, providing tents, tarps, toiletries, food, eye contact, and more.

It is also a welcoming space of compassion without judgement. Here, anyone can sit by the window, tell their story, share their sorrows and celebrations, and receive the warmth of a caring, mindful individual who listens with love about the daily cycles of strengths, hopes, and sorrows. Karina Wallace, our Community Programs Manager, is shown in this photo, masked and always ready to support our clients every day the window is open.
https://give.classy.org/FH2020

This week we've raised $129,135 through our #IMAGINEif end of year campaign, and are well on our way to our $200,000 goal! In order to continue meeting the needs of this community, we're asking for your support. Can you pitch in? Donate whatever feels meaningful, whether it's $5 or $5000, and you are investing in relationship-based solutions. Remember, every dollar you give is matched!

THANK YOU,
Facing Homelessness staff, board, and volunteers

IMAGINEif: every one did what they could

IMAGINEif Everyone did what they could:

We want to live in a world where each of us can make a BIG impact on the injustices that surround us. This dream began with Just Say Hello and is now actualized for those who say "YES, in my backyard." Our wonderful host, Doh, recounts, “I have realized through hosting that it does not take anything from me to give more, and to expand my area of impact.” Like many others, Doh has stepped up in the simple yet profound act of sharing her underutilized backyard to host a BLOCK Home, built by volunteers and funded by community, where Abdul now lives as a neighbor and friend.

Right now, our neighbors like Abdul needs you. Our hosts like Doh need you. You’ve joined this community to come closer, to feel more, and to do more. When it comes to homelessness, it’s time to act. Your donation funds relationships, direct services, and a healthy HOME for someone in need. Where is your “YES” today?

https://give.classy.org/FH2020

Yesterday we launched a campaign to raise $200,000 by December 8th. We’re a quarter of the way there. Will you help us reach $65,000 today? Every single donation matters, whether it’s $5 or $5000. Doh inspires us by showing up as part of the solution. She told us part of her motivation was seated in the integrity of knowing deep down she could do more. “I wanted to be able to say I did what I could,” she told us, peering through her glasses with intent eyes as we sat in her backyard. Can you do just a little more today?

We know that each of you have chosen to be part of the solution. Join our hosts in saying “YES,” and support our IMAGINEif campaign right now.

https://give.classy.org/FH2020

THANK YOU,
Facing Homelessness Board, Staff, and Volunteers

IMAGINEif

IMAGINEif:

TOMORROW kicks off our END OF YEAR 8-DAY FUNDRAISER, beginning this #GivingTuesday! Together, we will IMAGINE a world without homelessness, and how essential YOU are to the vision. Together, we have the will to change, and the creativity to respond to the needs at hand. Right now, we need your support.

Shown in this photo is Abderrahim Aboulhouda (Abdul), who was previously homeless before moving into a beautiful home in the backyard of one of our hosts through #TheBLOCKProject.

At Facing Homelessness, we know it is possible to IMAGINE a future where things get better for people, because we see with our own eyes in the work we do, and how it transforms our participants, our staff, and our volunteers. Your support makes this possible.

Over these years, thousands of you have said YES to coming closer and feeling more - and through that proximity - DOING more. If you have been moved by the stories we have shared, seen our impact at the Window of Kindness, or participated in building a home for someone living homeless through The BLOCK Project, then please take this opportunity to support our work, which becomes more important every day this pandemic persists. Over the next eight days, we will be unveiling video and photo stories to help stretch our imaginations for a better future. Join us as we #IMAGINEif.

If you're feeling inspired to host your own fundraiser to support the campaign, let us know in the comments! If you SHARE this post, please write a statement about why this work matters to you (without it, algorithms render the shared post virtually invisible to your friends.) Stay tuned for more, and join our mailing list for sneak peeks into our new video stories. https://tinyurl.com/joinFH

THANK YOU,
Facing Homelessness staff, board, and volunteers

IMAGINEif

IMAGINEif:

One week from today, Facing Homelessness kicks off our End of Year Campaign, with a goal of raising $200,000. We need your help.

From #GivingTuesday (December 1st) to December 8th, we're going to ask you to come on a journey with us - a journey where we imagine how each one of us, in partnership, can work to end homelessness. We believe that we can build the world we want to live in - but we have to do it together, step by step.

Now more than ever, we must see ourselves in the suffering of others, and come together with a vision for workable solutions that make our community stronger, more equitable, and more loving. Stay tuned to learn how your donations and your efforts will bring us closer to facing homelessness together as a connected and compassionate community.

See you on December 1st!

With gratitude,
The Facing Homelessness staff, board and volunteers

disruptingISOLATION

DISRUPTING ISOLATION, FOR ALL OF US:

Disrupting Isolation: For All of Us - https://mailchi.mp/.../community-built-realizing-a-dream...

Have you experienced isolation this year? Us too. COVID-19 has disrupted the social fabric + physical proximity we took for granted, and forced us to confront isolation in many areas of our lives.

It’s important for us to center these reflections in relationship to the people we serve. These difficult experiences of separation, loneliness, and distance from love and connection are the things our houseless neighbors navigate every single day.

manyVOICES

PLEASE MEET DAMIAN:

I want to introduce a longtime friend of Facing Homelessness and a key contributor to this page. Damian Monda grew up in the region, and at a very young age was inspired by his grandfather Joe who lived in Wenatchee. Joe owned a little grocery store, was very active in St. Vincent de Paul and had relationships with many people experiencing homelessness. During his childhood on Beacon Hill, Damian and his brother would explore the abandoned neighborhoods surrounding I-5 construction. This was the 60s. They made friends with the people taking refuge in the boarded-up homes. “We grew up building tree-houses down in that area. Even after we moved, I would return year after year. I never really stopped going down into the Jungle.” Around that young age, Damian began what would become a life-long journey of bringing food and basic essentials to the folks living there, offering his time and friendship.

Damian, and now his wife Debbie, still spend a lot of time doing that. They share the belief that these simple acts are of paramount importance, that living in service of others enriches both their lives and those that they encounter. “The greatest gift you can give is just your time, some respect, and to treat people with dignity.” When I asked how he discovered the importance of this, Damian recalled early days working in Georgetown when he would sometimes walk past, or step over, someone sleeping outside his office. “I would get to my desk and realize, I’ve already missed the most important opportunity of this whole day.” He shared that loving others isn’t complicated. “It’s easy. They’re right there. You don’t have to overthink it. The opportunity to serve others is right in our face.”

Our founder, Rex Hohlbein, crossed paths with Damian in 2016 doing similar work: sharing photos, dispelling myths, and meeting the needs of our unsheltered neighbors. “There was one week where I’d go out to meet someone [living outside,] and Rex would have just been there the same day or the other way around. Finally, we said, “We’ve got to meet.” They did. “We met down in Georgetown outside Zoe’s bus. That was about three years ago.” We are so grateful for the important work Damian does in our community and look forward to more of his contributions on this page.

Facing Homelessness is in a season of growth. You’ve likely noticed this page being more quiet than usual, and we have missed connecting with all of you regularly. In addition to Rex’s departure, COVID-19 has presented challenges to our work of coming closer. Facing Homelessness is also taking this opportunity to examine how we share stories in the most ethical manner that protects and honors the people we are lifting up. We’re excited to grow in the direction of having all our programs more informed by those we serve.

Damian and other staff members will be sharing more stories about our work. This page may look a little different moving forward and that simply reflects the times we are in. Please reach out with any comments/feelings/suggestions. We look forward to seeing you here and continuing our work together! You can also follow our Instagram profile and sign up for our newsletter on our website for regular program updates and events.

With Love and Gratitude,
Barron l Beacon Hill Neighborhood

Barron is an architect, photographer and the Communications Manager at Facing Homelessness

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 #FacingHomelessness #JustSayHello #YesInMyBackyard #theBLOCKproject