REST IN PEACE, JAMES:
James lived homeless for over 40 years. The last twenty of those he was full-time at the 520 off-ramp in the Montlake neighborhood. He slept under the concrete ramp at night and begged at the stop-light during the day for his only income. He was hated and loved.
James died July 15, 2021 from complications following a major stroke suffered in November. He was 55 years old.
He was hated for all the reasons people can hate the homeless. He was always dirty with tattered clothes. He smelled. His language was often difficult to understand. At times he was angry and frustrated. His behavior when begging moved from being motionless with his hands cupped out in front of him to other times his arms flailing and head shaking. Some people were afraid of him. All of it fitting neatly the negative stereotype of homelessness.
If that is the James you saw, you missed seeing what a beautiful beautiful man he was.
James was gentle and kind. He laughed easily. He loved people and honored friendships. It’s hard to know how many people lowered their car window to offer something kind to him, and how many of those then turned into friendships. I do know this - if you were able to push through the negative stereotype to see him, you found a man profoundly worth knowing. Despite all his suffering, he stayed positive. He smiled with his whole face and laughed with his whole body. There was a charm to him that left you feeling good and glad you spent time sharing the moment.
James never flew-a-sign when begging. He didn’t because he was illiterate. He dropped out of school around the age of twelve and became homeless at 15. He lived a very different and difficult life with a great deal of suffering. There were times when he was so sick I didn’t think he would recover or winters I didn’t think he would make through. He was a true survivor.
James was helped greatly by the Facing Homelessness community. A wide range of items were donated and brought to him over the years. This included pants, shirts, shoes, coats, hats, sleeping bags, tarps, tents and food gift cards. Lots of food gift cards!
For each of the last six years we would post on the Facing Homelessness FB page when James had a birthday coming up on January 7th. People were asked to send birthday cards, telling him how much he’s loved. It still makes me smile bigBIG for how important this was for him. Cakes were baked and cards poured in from all over the country and around the world. On one of his birthdays James received more than a hundred cards! We would sit with him and read every single one out loud. The words were always beautiful. Sometimes we had to read them again because he was so busy checking to see if any money had been included. When he would find a $5 or $10 he would put it on his forehead, yell out loud, “THANK YOU THANK YOU!!” and then kiss it! For weeks and weeks, sometimes months, after his birthday he would ask, “Did any more cards come in for me?”
Over the years people tried to help James. There were those that wanted to teach him to read, or help find him work. Others waded into the complexity of looking for housing. Kind beautiful people made a big difference for him. In the end though everyone found the barriers he was experiencing to be too overwhelming.
That is until James met Blair Jordan. Blair was a student at the University of Washington in the business school when she lowered her car window and said hello to James. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. She would end up making it her personal mission to get him inside. And she did!
In April of 2020 James moved into the Kerner-Scott House run by DESC. There are no words to describe how beautiful that moment was. James was now sleeping in a bed. James was cooking his own food in his own kitchen. James was showering, shaving, and wearing clean clothes.
When Blair first said hello to James she could not have known she would be changing his life. She also could not have known she would be changing her own life. Blair’s career veered away from business into social work. She got a job doing outreach at DESC and currently works at REACH as a Screening & Outreach Coordinator. She will tell you, “Every day I am motivated to do this work because of James, he changed my life.”
James is survived by his two sisters Becky and Thurnice who live in Texas and a large chosen family of friends here in Seattle. He will be dearly missed by all those that knew him, loved him, and were changed by him. Love you James.
PLEASE JOIN US for a Community Celebration for James on August 17th 6:00 PM at East Montlake Park. Everyone is welcome!!!
This gathering will be held at the last place James lived outside, where he was told he would be moving inside. We are inviting everyone to come and take part in honoring James’ life. Parking will be tight. If you can bus, bike, or walk, please do. Even though it is outside, we are asking everyone to wear a mask. If you can make it, please let us know in the comments of this post. If you would like to share a story or feelings about James at the celebration, or have any questions whatsoever, please email me at rex@block-architects.com.
Montlake Neighborhood | 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 gift that is meaningful to you--even a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#facinghomelessness #justsayhello #windowofkindness #kindness #TheBLOCKProject
heartACHE
PLEASE MEET PETER:
Two weeks ago we told you about the passing of our longtime friend Joseph Pidgeon. Today we sadly share that Peter Suom, another dear friend who lived homeless, has passed.
Peter was 28 years old when he came to Seattle. It's a long story but the short of it is that his car overheated on the highway, just outside of Moses Lake where he lived. Before he could get it moved it was ticketed&towed, he lost everything, including his identification. He decided to come to Seattle to start over.
I met Peter shortly after he arrived. He was standing on the slim sliver of concrete that separates the 520 on&off-ramps in the Montlake neighborhood. I said hello and he immediately shared that it was the first time he'd flown a sign, saying, "I've never been homeless before." He was having a hard time being okay asking for money. We became fast friends.
Peter was a reader, reading one to two books a week. Once Facing Homelessness was able to get him a sleeping bag and tent the only thing he asked for after that were books. And books he received! For the next three years this community supplied Peter with a constant stream of reading material. People would roll their window down and say something like, "Hey, you're the reader aren't you? I have a book for you!" Packages of books were being mailed to our office from all over the country!
It was overwhelmingly beautiful for Peter. He said, "I hope people realize that we don't want to be homeless, if there is a way out, we look for it, some of us will find it. The people that care, that say hello or even just wave, do make a difference for those struggling. It helps on a daily basis, when you are hungry or desperate, to get some kindness gives you strength to not make bad decisions. Thank you for that."
And lots&lots of KINDNESS did show up to make a difference for Peter. In addition to the books and encouraging remarks on the street, this community made a big deal of his birthday each year with birthday cards mailed in and cakes baked and delivered!
The biggest act of kindness came when Blair Jordan, a young woman in her 20s, befriended Peter through this page. Blair would visit Peter almost daily to be of help to him. At one point she found him a job, which sadly he was unable to hold due to mental health issues. Eventually Blair connected Peter with Plymouth Housing where he lived for the last 3 1/2 years.
It was through her friendship with Peter that Blair met James Dobbs, who was also living under the freeway off-ramp and homeless for 40 years. James is currently at the UW Medical Center struggling with complications.
Blair will tell you that Peter and James changed her life.
When she first met Peter she was enrolling at the UW for a Business Entrepreneurship degree to do real-estate development. While advocating for them she began to meet people in the social services world, including those working the HOST program at DESC, which became her first job after graduating! So long real-estate development! Now she is at REACH doing out-reach on the street. Her goal is to open a Harm Reduction Skilled Nursing Facility which I have no doubt she will accomplish!
In this moment of sadness I am reminded of how beautiful Peter was as a human being. How gentle and grateful he always was and how easily he shared his smile and friendship.
While Peter is gone, he lives on in the beautiful positive change he created in those lives that reached out to him. From the simplest smile that so many received, to the life-direction change he helped put into motion for Blair. LOVE you Peter. RIP my friend,
Montlake Neighborhood | 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!
#facinghomelessness #justsayhello #kindness #TheBLOCKProject #yesinmybackyard
welcomeHOME
PLEASE MEET JAMES:
After 40 years living homeless, James has a home.
One with a front door and walls providing security, a warm floor rather than the cold ground, a roof rather than the underside of a concrete off-ramp, a kitchen to cook warm meals, quiet peace rather than endless street noise, and a bed, one with morning eastern light streaming in!
Yesterday, Blair read 22 Welcome Home cards to James sent in by this Facing Homelessness community, wowWOW!!! He took so much delight in hearing they came from around the country! It was a moment. Honestly my heart was bursting for him. He was beyond giddy happy! Later I remarked to Blair how happy James was and she said, "He's been that way for the last 9 days, ever since moving in!"
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone that helped James with support over the years. As he stood panhandling in the Montlake neighborhood, each of your kind faces reaching out to him made this moment possible!
Now that James is inside, he has some home furnishing needs. If you can help, please comment below by calling out which item, or items you can provide. Please check the comments before so we don't double up. All items should be sentTO or droppedOFF at: Facing Homelessness c/o James 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98105. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James' Welcome Home Wish List
Dish drying rack, box fan, pots & pans, cooking utensils, cups, dishes, silverware, TV, coffee pot, twin sheet set, food gift cards, clothing - shirts & jackets size M, pants size 30/32, shoes size 11, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies.
A special THANKS to Blair and Savannah for their endless friendship towards James and tireless hard work in making this happen! And finally, a heartfelt mountain of gratitude for DESC, who makes this moment happen for so many in need!
We loveLOVE you James and are tremendously happy for you!
South Lake Union Neighborhood | 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 Crosscut KING 5 Blair Jordan DESC
ourVULNERABILITY
PLEASE MEET JAMES:
James is illiterate, he's been homeless for the last 40 years, half of that time panhandling in the Montlake neighborhood. Three days ago he was released from the hospital after spending weeks due to blacking-out while begging.
He was discharged with his hospital gown and wheelchair. Facing Homelessness provided him with a tent, sleeping bag and a $100 Safeway gift-card for food.
Yesterday late afternoon I found him down by Foster Island, his collapsed tent in the middle of a field. It was windy and just starting to rain. I spoke to the tent, "Hey James, you there?"
Instantly he yelled back, "Yeah, yeah, help me up!" I lifted the folded over tent, pulled the flap aside, and was hit with a wall of urine odor. His pants were completely wet with it. As I wedged my foot against his and took hold of his arm to pull, I thought to myself, this is so messed up.
Standing upright James said he was doing okay but that he needed to get to Safeway for some food, could I give him bus money? I handed him $20. In the same sentence of thanking me he asked if I could drive him there. I paused.
I've known James for over ten years, he's a dear friend.
I looked at him and said "No, I am sorry, I can't drive you." The honest truth is, I didn't want the car seat smeared with urine. I hated hearing myself say no to him for what now seems trivial. James nodded, and shuffled off, yelling back, "Bye Rex, see you later."
I've not been able to stop thinking about it. I know we can't say yes to every ask from those in need, but we also can't say no to every ask either.
This is one of the hard parts of coming closer to those in need. Yet, to live fully, we must come closer to know how we feel, to know what is right for each moment. And it can be uncomfortable, or even messy. And that is okay. Okay because this is what being human is all about, about reaching out to each other with love and trust, figuring it out as we go.
I love you James.
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 Crosscut KING 5 Blair Jordan
dearFRIEND
PLEASE MEET JAMES:
I'm sorry you've been homeless for over 40 years.
I'm sorry you've never had the opportunity to learn to read.
I'm sorry you've never received government benefits even though you've lived without basic needs met nearly all of your life.
I'm sorry that there are those that have treated you unkindly through misunderstandings and fear.
I'm sorry you blacked out while panhandling on the street corner in the Montlake neighborhood.
I'm sorry you've been in the hospital now for over two weeks hoping multiple organs will heal.
I'm grateful for the care given at the UW Medical Center.
I'm grateful to have been included in the phone call to your sister, hearing you say how much you love her and the need for her to pray for you.
I'm grateful for those that have reached across the divide to give you kindness on your street corner home.
I'm grateful for all those that have mailed you birthday cards to our office over the years for you, knowing how happy it made you.
I'm grateful for Blair Jordan who is your dear friend and is helping you navigate towards supportive housing.
I'm grateful to your street friend Michael who has your back.
I'm tremendously grateful to be your friend James, you have deep kindness in your eyes.
On May 20, 2019 we asked this community to raise $500 for food for James. A total of $4,487.57 was raised! Since then we've been giving James $100 Safeway food-gift-cards every Sunday, making a profound difference for him. We still have roughly three months of food-gift-cards to give.
We are now hoping to raise another $500 as an emergency fund for when he gets out of the hospital. This will be used for clothing, a tent, sleeping bag, and other essential needs.
UPDATE: The Paypal link has been pulled in that the goal or raising $500 has been met with $1,687.11 donated, wowWOW!! All funds will be used to help purchase essential needs for James. No funds will go directly to James in the form of cash or check and as is always the case, no funds go to Facing Homelessness. A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone that reached out with LOVE and support!
A bigBIG LOVE to you James, we are grateful to have you as an important part of this community!
Montlake Neighborhood | 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
