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

enchantingBEING

PLEASE MEET DAVE: 

Dave's voice is warm and bright and lively! The cadence of his talk is just different enough that it keeps pulling you in with curiosity and easy connection. I instantly liked him! His enchanting way reminds me of Andre in the movie 'My Dinner with Andre'.

I asked, "Where were you born?" From that moment Dave talked energetically almost nonstop for at least a half hour, his voice going up and down, as his body did too. It was like he was meeting his new best friend and that we were about to embark on some fantastic adventure!

"I was born right here in Seattle, at Swedish Hospital, my aunt was a nun at St. Alphonsus in Ballard, I'm 79 years old, here, see my driver's license, I used to do lights and sound backstage, was friends with Brewster Denny, who was the great-grandson of the Seattle founding Denny family, and on and on, pulling me into his wonderful world!

At some point he just stopped, and then with genuine curiosity said, "So, what about you, what are you all about, I am so interested to know more about you!" By then I was already in-love with him, feeling so grateful to have met this new friend!

Dave lives homeless with Barb, they've been together for at least 18 years, the last 15 in their Ford Econoline van. Barb is just as adorable as he is. Her family has been here in Seattle for 5 generations, she went to Roosevelt High School, and her life story goes on and on too just like Dave's. They are beyond charming together!!

BIG PROBLEM - their van/home is falling apart, it leaks and no longer runs. They are desperate to find a small RV or large van to continue living in. Dave has about $700 he can put towards a purchase.

Hoping somebody has a vehicle in reasonable shape that they can donate or sell for little to Dave & Barb. ALSO, if you can donate to a vehicle fund please do so. THANKS!

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WZLWB6QRL9JYS&source=url

CAT LOVERS - They also have a 14 yr old cat named Nudger, who is leash trained, that they need to find a good home for. Nudger is a gray long-hair Maine Coon that they have had for 13 years, and love, but no longer can keep. :( Please reply in comments below if you are interested.

So much LOVE to Dave & Barb from this community, you are both so veryVERY BEAUTIFUL together!!

Ballard 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!
#JustSayHello #Kindness #FacingHomelessness Crosscut KING 5

recreationalVEHICLE

PLEASE MEET MICHELLE:

Nothing recreational about living homeless in a vehicle. Most are purchased for between $50 and $500, which should give a pretty good idea of the condition they are in.

To avoid harassment and to find a small bit of privacy, most cover the windows. When entering, it takes a moment to adjust to the dark, the corners coming into view slowly.

Michelle and Eric have been living in rundown RV's for years. The immediate question is why? Why live this way?

Why do any of us live the way we live?

The answer is the same for each and every one of us, from Michelle and Eric right up to those that build mansions and castles. We ALL want to make the best home possible for ourselves and our family.

We all want safety, we all want protection from the elements, we all want a place that is functional, comfortable, beautiful, and more. And we don't just want it, we want to then keep on improving it. We can know that for every person living in a vehicle, this is their current best available option for making a home.

Michelle and Eric have $276.00 of parking tickets that we hope to help pay off. I know it would bring them a great deal of peace of mind.

UPDATE: The Paypal link has been pulled in that the goal of raising $276 has been reached with $420.03 donated, wowWOW!!! A heartfelt thank you once again for meeting this need AND every need ever posted on this page. So much LOVE and support! All funds will go to paying the parking tickets. Whatever is left over will go to gas-cards for Eric and Michelle. No funds go directly to them and as is always the case, no funds go to Facing Homelessness. THANKS!!!

Michelle is in the hospital right now, her legs swollen to the point she can barely walk. She has been having heart problems for years, among a list of other medical issues. Please keep her and Eric in your thoughts.

University District 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 Graham Pruss Jenn Adams

openHEART

PLEASE MEET DEE AND DEVIN :

Dee and Devin are just good-hearted people. This couple have called an RV home for the last five years. Dee told me that circumstances will not be allowing them to be indoors anytime soon, but they are happy and grateful to be there, and they hope to be allowed to stay put. "We don't want to rejoin the shuffle, but we also know this is temporary".

They feel safer where they are parked than they have for a very long time. These two have been together and in love for 8 years! WOW! They live with their beloved 15 year old cat Chanel, who delightfully is grumpy and sweet.

Dee is articulate, welcoming, helpful, and smart as a whip. People who live on the streets come to them for help all the time because they are stable. In fact they have had FOUR people come to them to get help with administering Narcan in the last four months! That is life saving.

Dee told me about an app that you can put on your phone called "NaloxoFindApp". This free app allows first responders and good-samaritans to register as naloxone carriers, making them reachable by the NaloxoFindApp users in emergency situations.

Dee is a voice for their community by filming sweeps, doing outreach work, and bringing supplies to encampments.

WOW! SO MUCH LOVE DEE AND DEVIN.

SODO 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

withandWITHOUT

PLEASE MEET COLE:

Another rainy Seattle afternoon. Another industrial street. Another panorama of political and social failure. There’s a line of dilapidated RVs, tents, and tarps. Left-behinds of the Great Society. There’s graffiti and city evacuation notices. Anxiety and an upcoming sweep. Trucks blast by inches from the troubled tents and tarps. Generators drone. The mud plank walkways always lead to the dark backside entrance. By the blackberry bushes, chain-links, and razor wire. An outsider’s welcomeness here is quickly discerned. All routine, except for Cole. We’d never met. I knocked on the door.

Cole is 25. A Washington native, born to abusive parents. An alcoholic mother. Cole was taken into foster care at age 6. His home would change constantly until age 18. He hated it. The tall fit young man opened the RV door, crouching as he stepped out. Soft spoken but confident, our conversation started awkwardly. “I’m a generous and kind man. People take advantage of that. I’ll fight if I have too. But I’m not a fighter.” At age 7 his caregivers believed he was possessed by spirits. An exorcism was performed. “To this day I am horrified of things like ghosts or scary movies.” Cole doesn’t smile much. But his spirit is warm. His words are from within. Cole is a spiritual man. Our conversation moved from awkward to comforting. Cole’s voice is soft. His words thoughtful. His eyes clear and honest. Cole is a gentle man.

Cole and his partner were expecting a child when he began a jail sentence. The anticipation of being a father provided Cole with purpose and optimism. Perhaps, for the first time, he saw a path forward. Upon his release, he learned that a child was no longer in his future. This drove Cole into deeper depression. He began using meth and heroin. “I began doing things I shouldn’t have.” With no family or community support, his situation worsened. Cole became homeless. Cole has been clean from heroin for 3 years but still struggles with meth. He left a treatment program early due to a bone infection which still needs major surgery. He wants to work. To live a normal life. His bone surgery will require months of recovery. He wants to resume treatment. “I sincerely try to move forward. Something always sets me back.“ As I left, a large rat hopped from a nearby baby stroller.

Cole is temporarily living with friends in their RV, a situation which needs to change. Cole is a big guy and could use a 6 person tent to accommodate his bike and belongings. If you can help, please dropOFF or shipTO: Facing Homelessness c/o Cole, 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98105.

Georgetown neighborhood | Damian

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

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