stretchedTHIN

PLEASE MEET RICK AND CHERYL:

Rick & Cheryl are conductors of a full orchestra. One where every instrument in their life needs attention. Day to day, I don't know how they keep it all together. Homelessness is a full-time job for every person.

They have two vans, they live in one and their son lives in the other. The three dogs split time between the vans. For meeting very basic needs, Rick drives for Door Dash and Cheryl for Caviar.

Their son Ken has a HEN housing voucher, but cant' find a place because of an eviction in Arizona. They've tried over and over to resolve the matter, wanting to pay off what is owed, but they get sent into a circle of phone calls with nobody able to give direction for a solution.

On top of that, Cheryl lost her HEN housing because she received SSI, which is $783.00, not anywhere near enough for housing. Ugh! They are stretched so very thin.

Their dogs are happy. However they could use some help. One of the dogs has a bad ear infection and needs to see the vet. They also need some specific food that clears up crystals in the urine, which has some blood in it. We would like to raise $250.00 for those expenses. If there is a vet that could help out at a cut-rate, all the better! ALSO, this family is tired and could benefit greatly from three nights in a hotel, which would be another $300.00.

UPDATE: The Paypal link has been pulled in that the goal of raising $550 has been met with $1,234.35 donated, wowWOW!!! I know this will make a beautiful difference for this family. A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone that gave support and LOVE.

All funds will be used to help Rick & Cheryl. No funds go directly to them and, as is always the case, no funds go to Facing Homelessness. If there are remaining funds, not used by Rick & Cheryl, they will go to someone with a like need.

A bigBIG LOVE to you Cheryl, Rick and Ken. Take good care of yourselves during this stressful time.

Northgate 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

ourCHOICE

PLEASE MEET RELLIK:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

The barriers of homelessness are seen all too often as being those of the person homeless. We point over there to issues of mental health, drug dependency, housing, jobs, and other shortcomings of that person and society at large.

While these are all important and needing to be addressed, often we overlook one of the biggest barriers, the barrier within ourselves. The one that keeps us from reaching out to those in need when our compassion begs us to do so.

If we take time to get off our own life-path, to help someone that is struggling with theirs, we will end homelessness.

Rellik is of the White Mountain Apache Nation. He's been homeless for 16 years, most of that time living in a tent. It's hard to even comprehend that, especially when you sit with Rellik and get to know him. He shares openly about his struggles with both physical and mental health issues. He also shares about his dreams, about getting into housing. And of course, his constant dream of doing art and playing music. And oh yeah, he loves people! Throughout all of it, the ups and downs, especially the downs which there have been many, he keeps a levelheadedness to him that is remarkable.

Rellik is hoping to take Beginning Blacksmithing at Pratt Fine Arts Center to add to his jewelry making talents. The class costs just under $400 with a $35 supply fee. Rellik wants to save up for it but it will be difficult as he is several months behind in his phone bill. We are hoping to raise funds to help Rellik take this class!!!

UPDATE: The Paypal link has been pulled in that the goal of raising $435 has been reached with $445.68 donated, wowWOW!!! A heartfelt THANKS to everyone that made this possible, especially to Michelle who asked what was needed to finish it off and donated the last $100!!! All funds will go to pay for class expenses. No funds go directly to Rellik and as is always the case, no funds go to Facing Homelessness, none at all!

A community size LOVE to you Rellik. Thank you for sharing so beautifully your road less traveled.

Northgate 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