When was the last time you got a haircut?
For some of our Window of Kindness visitors, it’s been years, and for others, even decades.
On Saturday, May 28th, Facing Homelessness hosted a free haircut event as part of our Window of Kindness Program in partnership with Arianna, who volunteered her talent and skills as a hairdresser. Arianna shared the following about her connection to homelessness and why she was moved to support our clients “As a child, I had a foster sister who was around when I was born. She was at least 18 years older than me; she had experienced numerous trauma growing up; so by the time my parents were able to foster her, she had already been out on the streets…for a long time, she babysat me. She was a very important part of my life. Thanks to my experience with my sister, I started to know the homeless folks on my walk from the ferry to Capitol Hill, and they eventually became my friends…I brought them books and care packages. They were always human to me, they were always important.”
Arianna also experienced housing insecurity so being able to navigate out of homelessness, and wanting to share her passion, Arianna was inspired to find a way to contribute her skills in cosmetology to support folks who’re living unhoused, and who are unable to access this resource.
When we talk about “coming closer” and “getting Involved” with something you’re skilled with, and/or passionate about, it is because we see individuals, families, school, sports, and church communities and more sharing in this way . Each one of us has something special we can share with one another, whether it’s a listening ear, a contagious smile, our time, being an amazing hairstylist, or whatever else it may be! If anything is certain in our world, it’s that we all have kindness that we can share with one another, and we all have ways we can get involved with something we are passionate about.
The Window of Kindness is one space that allows us to not only show kindness, but use it, and share it with others and we can create our own spaces. “If you are willing, just briefly, to take a moment and sit with someone and listen... to their soul, their heart, where they may have been unseen, unheard or misunderstood, you may give them something small, or you may be giving them something mighty. Give your heart and patience, we all need it. We all deserve it”. - Arianna
University District | Clàudia
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!
#JustSayHello #FacingHomelessness #Kindness #theblockproject
IMAGINEif We Showed Up Together
No one needs to be told that 2020 was hard. We all know. Today, we turn the page towards 2021, and anchor our hopes, wishes, prayers, and intentions. Perhaps you are calling in peace, or joy, laughter, wellness, comfort, healing, or strength. Maybe you are calling in social justice, liberation, and hope. Maybe you're inviting rest, relief, and calmness. Whatever your needs are, together, let's breath in the new, and exhale the old. If you're reading this, we're so grateful you've made it through. We hold in our hearts that the same is not true for everyone.
It's not lost on us that YOU - this unwavering community - is with us, and committed to the task of ending homelessness together. Your actions speak loudly, and lay the groundwork to actualize a better future for everyone, housing and unhoused alike. You exceeded our expectations when we met our $200,000 end-of-year goal, and then you brought in an additional $47,000+ to meet our stretch goal, which supports even more services and sustainable care for our community. We see you and we are deeply humbled.
See for yourselves: give.classy.org/fh2020/
THANK YOU for showing up, time and time again. THANK YOU for wavering the storm. THANK YOU for leading with love. THANK YOU for believing there is a better way. THANK YOU for your gifts. THANK YOU for your hearts.
Facing Homelessness has a lot in store for this new year, and we're more committed than ever to the movement we are but one thread of; combatting complacency, calling in bystanders, seeing ourselves in the issues, uplifting beauty and hope, practicing vulnerability, sharing power, telling truths, receiving feedback, acknowledging our own mistakes, and showing up time and time again. Showing up for ourselves and others is what we're here to do. It is not easy, but it is worthy. We don't have to do it alone. Join us in this year as we come closer to one another where we feel more. We all know that when we feel more, we do more.
With deep gratitude,
The Facing Homelessness staff, board, and volunteers