Invisible Needs

Imagine you lose your housing and are suddenly forced to live in your car. You’re desperately trying to hold down your job, but the daily struggles of finding a place to shower, food you can afford, and a safe place to park overnight are beyond exhausting. Now it is winter and you have to choose between sacrificing gas money to run your vehicle to stay warm or shivering through the night in 40 degree temperatures.

There are many people living amongst us who at first glance are not visibly homeless. For every person you see living in a tent, there are many others living in vehicles, bouncing from couch to couch, or cobbling together other temporary forms of shelter.

The Window of Kindness is a resource to folks wherever they’re at. In the scenario above, we would provide a sleeping bag and blankets for insulation and referrals through our Resource Navigation Program to find transitional housing and other supports.

We want every person who visits the Window to have access to warm food, dry clothing, and a non-judgemental listening ear. This is our baseline. But when someone comes to us with other emergency needs, we want to be able to help.

This month, community members like you have contributed $1,670 to our Client Support Fund for tents, sleeping bags, tarps, backpacks, and other life saving supplies. Thank YOU! Let’s keep this ripple of compassion going and get all the way to our $5,000 goal! Just $25 can provide a sleeping bag to someone in need, offering them a bit of comfort and warmth during a difficult time.

Donate today at https://givebutter.com/FHClientSupportFund or if you are inspired what this community can accomplish when we pool our resources, talents, and time, please visit http://www.facinghomelessness.org/compassioncollective and set up a "monthly recurring" donation of just $5 in support of this work. THANK YOU!

Give Love

What warms your heart on the coldest winter day? For us at the Window of Kindness, it's the chance to spread compassion and care to those in our community.

This Valentine's Day, we're asking you to give LOVE and help us provide vital supplies like hand warmers, hot meals, and other essentials to our unhoused neighbors. Donated funds also allow us to help with “big ticket” items like tents, sleeping bags, tarps, and backpacks that our clients need for shelter from the cold and wet.

If you’ve never seen The Window of Kindness in action, it’s important to know that it is also a welcoming space for uplifting human connection - where judgments are left at the door, hearts are warmed through conversation, and spirits are lifted with the simple gift of being seen and heard. In a world where many avert their eyes when they pass someone living on the street, the chance for connection the Window offers is so needed.

You can share LOVE today by giving the gift of dignity and care. Donate today at https://givebutter.com/FHClientSupportFund to help us continue providing vital resources and emotional support to unhoused members of our community. Even the smallest act of love makes a difference!

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!

Sweeps In Seattle

Sweeps continue, but shelters are full.

As Seattle persists in conducting sweeps of homeless encampments throughout the city, unhoused residents are stripped of vital shelter. In the past month, temperatures have plummeted to well below freezing, making living outside incredibly dangerous.

This cold impacts everyone, but some cannot escape it.

Facing Homelessness is requesting donations of winter clothing, tents, sleeping bags, or funds to help. Even small donations can make a big difference to our unhoused neighbors. Not sure what to give? Check out our website for needed items. Compassion and community support can save lives at this time of year, thank you for helping if you can.

https://facinghomelessness.org/donate-supplies

Allie's Stor

Transformative Connections: Allie's Story 

“My first shift at the Window of Kindness was also the first conversation I ever had with a person experiencing homelessness – it completely reshaped my understanding of homelessness. By swapping stories and learning more about our clients’ individual journeys, I was prompted to face a fear of the unknown, challenge stereotypes, and dismantle my assumptions. My experiences at the Window have helped me grow as a person, but at the end of the day, it’s all about building community and treating people with the dignity everyone deserves.” - Allie, Window of Kindness volunteer

Allie’s journey gets to the heart of what makes Facing Homelessness unique. We believe genuine human connections transform lives, not just for those we serve but also for volunteers like Allie. This is how we start a movement where each of us plays a role in ending homelessness.

https://givebutter.com/FacingHomelessness2023

Imagine a world where giving kindness is the norm. With just one day left, our community has raised $241,058. That means we have just $8,942 left to hit our $250,000 stretch goal – by midnight tomorrow.

Your donation isn’t just money; it's an investment in creating a compassionate community where stereotypes are shattered, assumptions are dismantled, and love guides us. Your generosity allows us to continue building bridges and making a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

With your help, we can provide essential resources, supportive permanent housing, and, above all, a sense of belonging to our unhoused neighbors.

With your support, we will hit our goal and start 2024 ready to continue serving our unhoused neighbors. Now is the moment to take action - donate to Facing Homelessness before time runs out!

With gratitude,
The Facing Homelessness Team

Please meet Alexie

All of us at Facing Homelessness wish you good health, warmth, safety, connection, and the love that each of us deserve this holiday season.

“Because of the BLOCK Project and Facing Homelessness I have been able to gain control over my life for the first time… And I have hope for a future.” - Alexiel, BLOCK Home Resident

Alexiel's words showcase the profound impact we can have when we choose to care for each other. As the year winds down and we plan for the next, be a beacon of hope in someone's life, just as you've been for Alexiel and many others.

A job loss, an injury, a rent increase - for many, just a little bit of bad luck can lead to the harsh realities of homelessness. But imagine a future where individuals like Alexiel, who faced adversity, can reclaim control and dare to dream again. Your support of the BLOCK Project and the Window of Kindness is the key to building that hopeful future.

Let's come together this holiday season and make real change in the lives of our neighbors who, like Alexiel, just need a new chance for a better tomorrow.

https://givebutter.com/FacingHomelessness2023

With gratitude and warmest wishes for the holiday season,

The Facing Homelessness Team

P.S. We still need to raise $15,389 to reach our $200,000 goal and unlock our full match. Your generosity matters.

Window of Kindness

"I don't know what I would do if you all weren't here. coming to The Window is what I look forward to every week. I am really, really grateful for you guys. Please don't ever leave. Sometimes this is the only mean I get and probably the most interaction too. It feels like home here." - A Window of Kindness Guest

We run the Window for this- making sure our unhoused neighbors have somewhere safe and welcoming, somewhere they can count on a warm meal, somewhere they can come to connect.

If this speaks to you, we hope that you'll consider donating to our End of Year Campaign to keep Facing Homelessness and The Window of Kindness strong and reliable in 2024. https://givebutter.com/FacingHomelessness2023

Please meet Grayson

Grayson is currently living out of his van with his dog.

It's been a rough struggle for him to keep moving in the right direction, earning enough money with his music to climb out of poverty and quite frankly the despair he feels.

While living back east, Grayson was making a name for himself playing music with his band. Things changed, as things do, and Grayson ended up in Seattle. He will tell you, "Moving to Seattle has been a nightmare for me." When he was with his band they had recorded an album, things were good, he wants to get back to all of that, of moving forward with his music and his life.

Here in Seattle, he's had his van vandalized, his dog taken for awhile, and then there are the medical issues. Right now Grayson's right arm is half paralyzed, which keeps him from playing his guitar, which means he can't make money busking.

With no money, Grayson is now in danger of having his van/home impounded. When that happens, it's gone. He needs to raise $300 for license and tabs to make sure it is safe.

If you can help out, even just a little, please Venmo directly to Grayson. @Grayson-Connelly. If you donate, please let us know in the comments below. I'd like to post when the $300 has been raised. A heartfelt THANKS in advance!

Grayson is a good person. He wants to head back home, back to family and friends where he is intent on getting needed help. I hope we can come through for him on this.

LOVE. 

Please meet Sinaed

Meet Sinaed, a BLOCK Project Volunteer:

“I love volunteering with the Block Project as it allows me to do something that directly impacts the life of another person. I know that through donating my time and money I am helping someone take a step forward in making a new life for themselves.”

Can you imagine yourself as the solution to homelessness? Trick question. You already are the solution.
When you share our posts, you humanize those living on the streets and advocate for compassion. Volunteer with us? You’re creating connections…or even building a home.If you donate supplies, you might even be saving a life.

Donate money, and you're doing all of the above. givebutter.com/FacingHomelessness2023

Your donation today means:
Someone gets the hot meal, tent, or case management they need at the Window of Kindness.
A new BLOCK Home is completed, giving someone a place to rest, grow, and heal.
Our community transforms as we connect deeply to the plight of our neighbors and are inspired to take action.

Today, we are 51% of the way to our 2023 Year-End Campaign goal. Your gift today can be matched 100% by another community member.

Donate TODAY and help us build a world without homelessness. One smile, one hot meal, and one home at a time. Let's keep making a difference. givebutter.com/FacingHomelessness2023