constantSTRUGGLE

PLEASE MEET GIZMO: 

This is our friend Gizmo. He's been homeless for years, was living on Harbor Island in an RV with his dog Happy.

Several weeks ago Gizmo's RV burned to the ground due to a propane leak. Efforts to put the fire out quickly had to be abandoned with Gizmo barely making it out in time. So very sadly his dog Happy did not. I can't imagine the horror.

Gizmo lost most everything. Last week he was able to get another RV off an auto-wrecking-yard in Auburn, affording him a place to sleep and begin over again.

Gizmo's entire life has been one of abrupt change. His mom and dad broke up when we was five. He was raised by his father, who worked for GE as a turbine specialist. They traveled the country, every year a new school for Gizmo.

As we were standing there the neighbor came out and began asking questions. Are you a friend of my next-door neighbor? How come you are parked here? How long will you be here?

I watched Gizmo go into damage control mode, putting on the charm, wanting the person to know he had nothing to be afraid of, that he welcomed the questions, that he was a nice guy and on and on.

It was clear Gizmo had done this routine before, he knew it was an important moment for him. I felt bad about it, watching him work so hard when he had done nothing wrong. In the end, the neighbor seemed satisfied, assured for now that there was not an immediate danger.

Gizmo could really use a 10'x20' tarp and some battery powered hand-tools. For his state of mind, he would love a small television, and if possible, a flute. He smiled extra big when asking about a flute.

If you can help, please sendTO: Facing Homelessness c/o Gizmo 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98105. THANKS!!!

You are a goodGOOD man Gizmo. Everyone that knows you is profoundly sorry for your loss. Sending LOVE to you and Happy.

South Park 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

everythingBEAUTIFUL

PLEASE MEET GIZMO:

Gizmo invites me into his RV home. I don't ask where to sit as there's only half a chair seat available. While he talks I find myself scanning the dimly lit space. Everything, I mean every little thing stuffed into the RV, including Gizmo, is different and interesting. I nestle in getting comfortable.

Gizmo enjoys talking. It's clear he's smart and has opinions to go with. He asks if he can light up his pipe and smoke some weed. I nod because he hasn't stopped talking for me to say yes. He talks between puffs, which makes me smile.

Someone knocks at the door, comes in, says hello to me, and then asks Gizmo if he needs some food. I'm touched by the kindness of the moment. I instantly want everyone in Seattle to be inside this RV, to hear the genuine care shared amidst the obvious struggle of homelessness.

Gizmo is 57 yrs old and chronically homeless. He has real character to him, you can see it in his kind eyes and hear it in his stories. He loves people, which includes his dog. Those that know Gizmo love him too.

Despite all these good feelings, Gizmo's life has been difficult. He battles depression, gets overwhelmed easy, which makes the day to day task of homelessness a full time job. Then there are the sweeps. Beyond all the personal processions lost, including his solar panels this last time, it is his piece of mind and hope that gets taken with each round of sweeps.

The only way sweeps work is if we refuse to see the person as a real person. Someone with worth, feelings, and beauty. Sweeps are a process of dehumanization and then looking the other way. Yes it is complicated, but sweeps represent a primal response, devoid of creativity and compassion. We as community can do better than sweeps.

Gizmo has immediate RV needs. Most pressing is that the vehicle-tabs are about to expire. The heater is also broken among other electrical issues. We are hoping to raise $500.00 for tabs and auto-parts.

UPDATE: The Paypal link has been pulled in that the goal of raising $500 has been reached with $698.38 donated, wowWOW!! I know this will mean a great deal to Gizmo, giving some needed peace of mind. All funds will be used to help purchase tabs and auto-parts. No funds go directly to Gizmo and as is always the case, no funds go to Facing Homelessness. If there are remaining funds not used by Gizmo, they will go to someone else with a like need. A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone that reached out to make this happen!!!

If you have mechanic's knowledge, Gizmo would love to get your advice on his RV, a 1988 Chevy Travel Master Class A.

Thank you Gizmo for so very beautifully being you.

Harbor Island 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 #FacingHomelessness #JustSayHello