createCONNECTION:
“In a world where we’re increasingly polarized, reactive, and can feel unsafe, the BLOCK Project provides physical, mental, and emotional space and support to nurture and navigate relationships and build community.” Roselle, BLOCK Project Companion
As participants of the Companionship program for over a year, Roselle and Peter (a BLOCK resident) have worked closely with Facing Homelessness’ staff and, most importantly, have built a strong companion relationship with each other.
“From the beginning, I’ve felt that my companionship with Peter was part of and supported by a larger community. Getting to know Peter and other members of the BLOCK Project community helps me remember how complicated, vulnerable, valuable, and important each of us are,” says Roselle.
In Peter’s own words, “Through my conversations with Roselle, I’ve come to learn and appreciate different aspects of another generation, how their experiences and unique challenges helped shape them, and found that any perceived gaps between us are much smaller than they appear.”
A companion relationship can look like many things. Grounded in mutuality and founded in the belief that companions walk alongside one another, meeting each other where each is at in their own journey, Companionship is a way for people to connect without judgement or agenda. For some, it is a weekly brunch outing, or a walk near Greenlake, friendly and light, fun. For others, especially during the time of COVID, it has been consistent and lively Zoom calls, spiced up by deep conversations and a willingness to learn.
Roselle shares that “Each Zoom call is an adventure with Peter—his enthusiasm and curiosity are infectious. In our weekly conversations, I’m regularly fascinated by how deeply he dives into topics ranging from his stint working for an air taxi company in Alaska to explaining the implications of the “right to repair” to me.”
Companion relationships, though initially fostered by Facing Homelessness through the connection of two individuals, are free to blossom naturally as the companion pair form their own organic and authentic connection. According to Peter, the Companionship Program “seeks to restore balance and build trust” and has even “helped facilitate one of my most rewarding friendships.”
Facing Homelessness recognizes that all relationships work differently, that all develop at their own pace, and that each is a worthy endeavor to explore further. If you are interested in becoming a companion with a BLOCK Resident and joining us in our goal to createCONNECTION, we welcome you with open arms and an untapped relationship waiting to become what you make it. And a huge thank you to everyone participating in the Companionship program for leaning in and honoring each other’s journeys.
Liana, Angie, and Phoebe
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!
#justsayhello #facinghomelessness #TheBLOCKProject #kindness #windowofkindness
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
IMAGINEif you were the solution
IMAGINEif You Were The Solution:
Behind every statistic is a real person. This community didn’t just house three people in BLOCK homes in 2020. We housed Abdul, Peter, and, as of today (!!) ReNee. Each of them has a story. Each has a different reason why they ended up living on the streets. Each now has a place to lay their head and a support system, and can live with dignity.
In 2021, the Facing Homelessness community will be able to help six more people transition off the streets and into a BLOCK home. Each of them will have a name. Each will have a beautiful story. Each will know comfort and safety because of the compassion and generosity of this extraordinary community.
https://give.classy.org/FH2020
Please donate by midnight to help us reach our stretch goal of $250,000. We're less than $11,000 away. The number of people living outside is growing right now, and we must be there to share love, compassion and resources with new people living on the streets. Are you with us?
With gratitude,
Facing Homelessness staff, board, and volunteers