survivingCOLD

PLEASE MEET JERRY :

I met Jerry in the Pioneer Square neighborhood on a clear cold winter day. He has been homeless for 10 years of his life and he is 49 years old. He told me that right now he is just using everything in his power to survive this cold weather while he tries to raise money for a bus ticket to get back to California where it's warm and he can be free just wearing shorts.

He talked a lot about how much he loves just wearing shorts in the 70 degree weather while smoking his self rolled American Spirits. "It's the simple things."

Jerry is not used to this weather making it much harder for him to be here. He feels that he is almost being held here against his will, that something is stopping him every time he gets close to leaving and he's not sure why.

We talked about finding his purpose to be here in Seattle and staying warm in the meantime. He sleeps in a tent where he never quite gets warm no matter how hard he tries.

I asked him if I could call him "Sailor Jerry" because I felt like he looked like a ships captain. He laughed and said "PLEASE!" We decided that's what he was in another life.

Pioneer Square neighborhood | Dawndra

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

honestLOVE

PLEASE MEET JOSEPH :

Joseph sleeps in a tent on the Seattle waterfront with his dog Buddy. He is 58 years old and has been homeless for 20 years of his life. He told that he doesn't know any other way of life. He carries a guitar on his back and I asked him to play me a song and he sadly reported he had a broken string. He said he's only played the guitar for a few years and it has got him through some hard times.

He got his dog Buddy two months ago for the same reason, to get each other through some hard times. He assured me that buddy is warm in a sleeping bag at night, and gets lots of food and treats, but he admits that it's really hard to train a puppy.

He is not entirely sure that he is the right owner for Buddy. We made a deal that he would not give the dog up to just anyone. I quickly got on Amazon and bought Buddy a coat, and Joseph and I are meeting this week for the exchange and to talk more about Buddy's future.

Such honesty and love. Thank you for sharing that with me Joseph.

Pioneer Square neighborhood | Dawndra

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 #Kindness #FacingHomelessness

iAM

PLEASE MEET ALEX :

I pulled up in the Pioneer Square neighborhood and spotted a man pushing all of his belongings in a cart across the street from me. I hopped out of the car and waved and he waved back and yelled "HELLO!"

Alex is a very articulate soft spoken man with an east coast accent. He grew up in New York and told me that his step mother kicked him out of the house at age 12. He has lived on the streets most of his life, most of those years spent on the streets in the five boroughs. He's been here in Seattle just a short time.

He had a job, a wife and twin girls who are now almost 18. I asked him why he prefers the sidewalk over a shelter, he said he likes his freedom and to be left alone. He always sleeps in front of the Pioneer Smoke Shop, the owner is nice and doesn't mind.

When I asked Alex if he was able to keep warm on these cold nights, he said he was freezing and just trying to survive every day. I gave him some hand warmers and he was very grateful. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was not enough, I got a lump in my throat.

"What do you like to do for fun Alex?" "Well, talk to you of course." We had some laughs. Just then at the smoke shop, I noticed the most beautiful dog tied up waiting for his owner inside. I instantly bonded with the dog and remained petting and playing with him. Buddy is a smaller pit bull mix and also lives on the streets. I noticed a man walked by a few times looking at Buddy very closely. I spent a lot of time talking to Buddy's kind owner.

After those two left, Alex said to me "You know you just saved that dog from getting stolen to use the dog for fighting? It was meant to be that you are here now." I asked him how he knew that, and he said "Because I AM the streets."

Alex will be turning 47 on January 26th, and all he really wants to do is go to the movies.

Pioneer Square neighborhood | Dawndra

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

keepSMILING

PLEASE MEET JOHN:

John Steel is a very friendly and interesting man with a very interesting name. I told him it was a name destined for fame.

John told me how much he loves living in Seattle. He wants to write a book about the historic buildings and also his favorite sidewalks in Pioneer Square. He said he wants to make the book from his perspective, hanging out with his friends on the street. He is very excited to write about his favorite sidewalks which is a really cool idea.

I told him he might want to keep a journal and carry a camera. He said that the Nikon he wants is at Target for 145 bucks, so, someday. He said he will start taking pictures and writing soon. He told me he is currently actively looking for work.

John is currently staying at the Union Gospel Mission. He told me two amazing things happened yesterday, he met me (awww shucks) and Russell Wilson made an appearance at Union Gospel. "What a great day, keep smiling"

His goal is to have enough material to be published in one year.

Pioneer Square neighborhood | Dawndra

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