freshSTART

PLEASE MEET MICHELLE:

Michelle has had a long rough road to travel in life. She's tough as nails and at the very same time is as sweet as can be. She cares about you, even when she’s yelling at you. My heart goes out to her for all she goes through on a daily basis. She knows the struggle of survival.

Michelle is in and out of the emergency room. She has heart problems and more. She’s what the nurses call a ‘frequent flyer’. Sometimes it’s because her feet and legs have swelled to the point of bursting, other times she’s gasping for air, unable to catch her breath.

Michelle lives in an RV with her dog Syd. They are best friends. I can tell you that Syd is the out-of-control friendly type! There have been an uncountable number of times I’ve opened the RV door to have Syd nearly knock me back off the step with his paws in my chest. It makes me smile to think of it as I hear Michelle yelling for Syd to stop and get back, get back!

There is so much I can share about Michelle and our 8 year friendship. So many stories. What I want to tell you right now though is that Michelle needs help. The RV she lives in leaks something horrible. There is black mold everywhere. Rats have eaten through much of the interior, including through some of the electrical. She says, “I can deal with all that is going wrong but I am at my end with the rats. There are too many of them. I wake up at night and they are crawling on me. I can’t stay here anymore.”

The problem is, she has nowhere else to go. Nowhere.

We are making two ASKS of our community:
Does anyone have an RV they want to donate, or sell cheapCHEAP, to Michelle? If you do, please contact rex@block-architects.com.

Can you donate to help purchase a used RV for Michelle? We are hoping to raise $2K.

UPDATE: Givebutter link has been removed in that our goal of raising $2,000 has been reached with $2,707 donated!!! WowWOW! We know this will be incredibly helpful to Michelle and her well-being, and make her heart warm with love. A HEARTFELT thanks to everyone for your kindness and support!! Please note that no funds will go directly to Michelle, no funds go to Facing Homelessness, as is always the case, and if there are funds remaining, they will go to someone with a like need. Thanks SO very much!

If you'd like to continue to support Facing Homelessness's work, please visit: https://givebutter.com/facing-homelessness

A heartfelt THANKS in advance for any and all donations. This will be a fresh start for Michelle. She needs it. In my opinion, she deserves it.

Wallingford Neighborhood | Rex

*For additional stories please visit https://www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening

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!
#facinghomelessness #windowofkindness #TheBLOCKProject #kindness

communityOPPORTUNITY

PLEASE MEET KEITH:

In the winter of 2019 Keith Hughes began a makeshift Warming Shelter in West Seattle for those living outside. He didn’t have the experience or knowledge to be doing this, he just did it. He couldn’t stand to see folks wet and cold with no place to go and warm up.

One of the many responsibilities Keith has taken on in life is being President of the West Seattle Veterans Center. In doing so it presented him with an opportunity. He will tell you, “It has always bothered me to see buildings with empty space while people struggle outside in the wet and cold. Now that I manage the Veterans Center building, I can do something about it.”

When Keith first opened the doors to those in need it was the only Warming Shelter in West Seattle. It still is. When the community heard what he was doing they responded immediately with cots, blankets, clothing, and food. It was overwhelming and beautiful.

Now in his 4th winter of giving care to those struggling in the cold, Keith needs our help. He’s in his 70’s and is exhausted. In addition to the folks he is serving, he’s been remodeling the building to meet code requirements for the kitchen and bathrooms, often dipping into his own 401K. To meet the growing need he needs us now. He needs volunteers and funds.

If you can help with either or both, please do. Keith is a doer, but he can only do so much.

If you want to get involved please email pecharalala@gmail.com. There is lots to do so please let us know time availability and what you would like to offer in terms of labor and services. Tomasz will get back to each person to pre-screen them for Keith.

If you would like to donate funds you can do so here - https://gofund.me/1daf9797. We are hoping to raise $6,000.00 to help cover utility bills. Contributions are tax deductible as the West Seattle Veterans Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Keith believes in the strength and compassion of the community stepping forward to be there for each other. When the BLOCK Project was first putting homes in backyards for the homeless Keith donated an uncountable number of hours through his company West Seattle Electric & Solar to install the electrical and solar systems. That’s just the kind of person he is.

So much LOVE for you Keith. A heartfelt THANK YOU for all that you do for our community!

West Seattle Neighborhood | Rex
*For additional stories please visit https://www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening

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!
#facinghomelessness #TheBLOCKProject #windowofkindness

firstSTEP

PLEASE MEET KAITLYN:

CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics estimated 93,331 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2020, an increase of 29.4% from the 72,151 deaths in 2019. 93,331 overdose deaths in one year.

Kaitlyn’s father was inANDout of jail her entire childhood. He’s back in right now for cooking Meth and getting caught with an astounding amount of it. When Kaitlyn was 12 she was sent to live with her Aunt in Alabama. The nearest neighbor, down at the end of the road, was a cute 17 year old boy addicted to drugs. That was when Kaitlyn first tried heroin. She was 12.

Kaitlyn began fighting with her Aunt and was sent back home. She had a few years of being drug free and really excelling in school. She dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. I asked if she was smart, she looked at me with a big smile and said, “Oh yeah, I’m really smart. In school I was getting top grades. I hope I can go back to school.”

I asked, “What happened? How did you get here?” She looked around at the mess of her tent, of her life, and shook her head. “In High School I started doing some ecstasy at raves, which led to meth, which led back to heroin. Look what I’ve done. I’m 28 years old, no teeth, living in a tent.”

When I first met Kaitlyn she could hardly walk. She had an abscess in her lower buttocks, one that had already been operated on, but was again badly infected. She was/is at the end of her rope. She wants to get off drugs and restart her life. I asked, if you could have anything right now, what would it be? She said, “Have one day sober and not feel like shit. I am so ready. It’s all so redundant. Over and over the same thing. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

That was Kaitlyn a few months ago. What kept her from going into detox/treatment was that a person living inside, who meant to make a positive difference for her by watching her dog Prince, decided to not return him. Kaitlyn was distraught. It set her back. She couldn’t go into treatment until she knew Prince would still be hers when she got out. He is her best friend.

Kaitlyn talked about how life just keeps knocking you down. In a quiet voice she said, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Then she spiraled into sharing that she gets the shit-end even though she tries to always do good. “For everything I do that is good I get shit on. Maybe it’s life’s way of balancing things out.”

The North Seattle Neighbors Mutual Aid Group reached out to the individual keeping Prince and spoke on Kaitlyn’s behalf. Prince was returned. Kaitlyn is ready.

We are looking for someone to foster Prince for (6) months to a year, depending on the treatment program Kaitlyn goes into. He’s 8 months old and house trained. He’s good with other dogs, but does like to chase squirrels! He’s a pretty energetic dog so my thought is that whomever takes Prince needs to either be able to walk him lots, take him to the dog park, or have a big fenced back yard. I can tell you that he is beyond beautiful! If you are interested, please call Rex 206-330-1142 to discuss.

We are hoping to have several folks step forward in the interest of fostering Prince. Kaitlyn would like to be involved in the selection process. She needs to feel good about the person watching her best friend while she heals from her addiction.

A heartfelt THANKS in advance to everyone interested in stepping forward!!!

Green Lake 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 gift that is meaningful to you--even a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. Thank you. #facinghomelessness #kindness #TheBLOCKProject #windowofkindness

Joshua Madrid

PLEASE MEET JOSHUA:

“Why are people judging others based on their worth and title, not on who they are as a person?”

Joshua is 28 years old and lives in a yellow school bus. He’s a really good man. He’s also really trying to figure out his life. How and where he fits in. So much in society, the way things work, the way things are, doesn't seem right to him.

He’ll ask, “Why do people say you need to live your own life, but then everyone runs around trying to control each other? How can I live my own life if I’m living it how you want me to live?” or, “Why do the wealthy just keep on wanting to make more and more money while others suffer with nothing or while the environment gets destroyed? Don’t they see what they are doing?”

I asked Joshua what his first real memory was? He paused for a good while and then said, “I remember coming to a courtroom with my sister when I was about 5 years old. My mom sitting there with handcuffs on. Then my dad walked in, also in handcuffs.”

Joshua spent his childhood inANDout of Foster Care. At 12 he ran away for good from the system. Over the next five years he was in Juvenile Detention more times than not. At 17, when he was facing the prospect of being sent to, as he says, “Big Boys Jail”, his mother showed up out of nowhere to claim him, the first time he had seen her since he was a little kid. She was drunk but the court released him to her on probation nonetheless.

A few months later, at 17 ½ years old, he left his mom without saying goodbye. Walked out the door and made his way from San Diego to Seattle. He needed to start over. To try and figure things out. Joshua deals with layers and layers of trauma. Miraculously, he does this without illegal drugs. His dog Cheese, who is his best friend, calms him when he ramps up with frustration, or drops down into depression.

I’ve known Joshua for over six years. I believe in him. I know he's going to find the life answers to how and where he fits in.

Right now though he's in danger of losing his bus/home. The City of Seattle has recently announced it will once again remove illegally parked vehicles. This is sending a wave of worry through those currently living in their cars, Rvs, and buses. Joshua’s bus is having some sort of transmission problem, now unable to go over 20 mph.

We are asking our community to help raise $3,000.00 to have the issue diagnosed and repaired. We know this is a bigASK. We also know it will mean the world to Joshua.

UPDATE: The Paypal link has been pulled in that the goal of $3,000.00 has been reached with approximately $3,500.00 donated! (We are still waiting for Paypal's final report.) So much LOVE for this community. We will keep you updated about Joshua's bus!!!!

IF there are any unused funds raised for Joshua’s bus they will go to help provide services for others living homeless. In no circumstance do funds go to Facing Homelessness.

Last time we visited, Joshua said, “It’s not that I don’t want to be a part of society, I just don’t know how yet. It seems all I do is struggle and I still can’t make enough for the bare necessities.”

Let’s give Joshua some more time to figure it out. He’s worth it.

SODO Neighborhood | Rex

*For additional stories please visit https://www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening

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!

nextSTEPS

PLEASE MEET JASON:

An area in Woodland Park stretching from the bocce ball courts south has a great many tents with folks living homeless. Safely speaking there are 100 people living there, some say as many as 200. Word is spreading fast that a city sWEEP is imminent.

If you have ever been present when a sweep is taking place you know the horror of it. It’s nothing like the intellectual policy discussions that take place in government offices, coffee shops and dinner tables by the most of us. Rather, it is a gut wrenching experience of tears felt by the few. Trauma is layered upon trauma as folks have minutes to pack everything up and leave. Those away, out doing errands or working a job, come back to their homes finding everything gone. It is horrible.

It is also easy to see why sweeps happen. People want their parks back for a long list of valid reasons. I remember as a young boy going many times to Woodland Park with my dad around 4:00 AM with flashlights to catch earthworms on our way to go fishing in Puget Sound. I love those memories.

The problem is that we have a polarized environment of SWEEPS vs. NO SWEEPS. Sadly, all of this back&forth energy is addressing the symptom not the cause. It gets us nowhere. Both sides feel they are right because they are right, nobody is wrong here.

What is wrong is the failed system that allows so many to suffer without basic needs being met. The conversation shouldn’t be about sweeps, it should be about why do we have homelessness in the first place and what are we going to do about it?

When asking, “What are we going to do about it?”, it is a question for our highest and best self. A place of acknowledging that every single person is deserving of our love and attention. All solutions must begin by holding true to this belief.

Please meet Jason. He’s 23 years old. He grew up in Snohomish. For the last year he’s been living in a tent at Woodland Park. He says he’s trying to figure his life out, “I’ve not given a f*** for so long and now that I want to, I have to learn how.”

Jason, a soft-spoken man, has already at his young age seen more pain than I have in all the extra 40 years I’ve lived. When he was 18 his older brother died in his arms. It was heart-breaking life shattering. “My brother was my dude. He picked me up from school, taught me how to work on cars and talk to girls.”

Jason then rapped a song to me about his brother dying, his struggle with it all, the complex difficulties of his family, his parents and others not seeing him, life at Green Lake being homeless, and on and on. I could feel myself beginning to tear up with how instantly vulnerable and beautiful he was in that moment. When he finished and I thanked him for sharing he said, “I don’t have anybody I can talk to about stuff, when I mention my brother dying people go quiet, they don’t know what to say, it gets uncomfortable.”

I asked what he wants to do when he figures it all out. He said, “I want to help people. I want to be a drug-rehab therapist. But yeah, I gotta figure myself out first. You can lose yourself out here.”

Like many, Jason is worried about the impending sweep. It's one more thing. When asked what he needed, he replied, “I could really use some socks and good sturdy size 14 boots.”

If you can be of help to Jason please let us know in the comments below and then ship to: Facing Homelessness ℅ Jason - 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98105. A heartfelt THANKS in advance!!!

Woodland Park | Rex

*For additional stories please visit https://www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening

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

communityASK

PLEASE MEET RANDY:

We would like to make an important ASK of our community right now. Please take a moment to give your PRAYERS and LOVE to Randy Peters. He is in the hospital battling COVID. The doctors have placed him in an emergency medically induced coma.

Randy's wife Linda Soriano sent this message - "I'm so distraught and having a hard time focusing on prayer. Please pass the word requesting prayers for Randy."

As Linda shared about Randy she then relayed she too had tested positive and was not feeling well. With some encouragement she agreed to call 911 and is now on her way to the hospital. Our hearts are so very heavy knowing these two fine humans are suffering.

Randy and Linda are beautiful pillars of our community. Their service for those struggling on our streets has been constant and always given with LOVE. Facing Homelessness has been fortunate to have their involvement in a number of our programs such as our Community CleanUPs and the Window of Kindness. We are forever grateful for their shining example of compassion.

Randy and Linda need us now. Please send all your healing thoughts, energy, and prayers.

We loveLOVE you Randy and Linda.

Seattle neighborhoods | Rex

loveYOU

REST IN PEACE, JAMES:

James lived homeless for over 40 years. The last twenty of those he was full-time at the 520 off-ramp in the Montlake neighborhood. He slept under the concrete ramp at night and begged at the stop-light during the day for his only income. He was hated and loved.

James died July 15, 2021 from complications following a major stroke suffered in November. He was 55 years old.

He was hated for all the reasons people can hate the homeless. He was always dirty with tattered clothes. He smelled. His language was often difficult to understand. At times he was angry and frustrated. His behavior when begging moved from being motionless with his hands cupped out in front of him to other times his arms flailing and head shaking. Some people were afraid of him. All of it fitting neatly the negative stereotype of homelessness.

If that is the James you saw, you missed seeing what a beautiful beautiful man he was.

James was gentle and kind. He laughed easily. He loved people and honored friendships. It’s hard to know how many people lowered their car window to offer something kind to him, and how many of those then turned into friendships. I do know this - if you were able to push through the negative stereotype to see him, you found a man profoundly worth knowing. Despite all his suffering, he stayed positive. He smiled with his whole face and laughed with his whole body. There was a charm to him that left you feeling good and glad you spent time sharing the moment.

James never flew-a-sign when begging. He didn’t because he was illiterate. He dropped out of school around the age of twelve and became homeless at 15. He lived a very different and difficult life with a great deal of suffering. There were times when he was so sick I didn’t think he would recover or winters I didn’t think he would make through. He was a true survivor.

James was helped greatly by the Facing Homelessness community. A wide range of items were donated and brought to him over the years. This included pants, shirts, shoes, coats, hats, sleeping bags, tarps, tents and food gift cards. Lots of food gift cards!

For each of the last six years we would post on the Facing Homelessness FB page when James had a birthday coming up on January 7th. People were asked to send birthday cards, telling him how much he’s loved. It still makes me smile bigBIG for how important this was for him. Cakes were baked and cards poured in from all over the country and around the world. On one of his birthdays James received more than a hundred cards! We would sit with him and read every single one out loud. The words were always beautiful. Sometimes we had to read them again because he was so busy checking to see if any money had been included. When he would find a $5 or $10 he would put it on his forehead, yell out loud, “THANK YOU THANK YOU!!” and then kiss it! For weeks and weeks, sometimes months, after his birthday he would ask, “Did any more cards come in for me?”

Over the years people tried to help James. There were those that wanted to teach him to read, or help find him work. Others waded into the complexity of looking for housing. Kind beautiful people made a big difference for him. In the end though everyone found the barriers he was experiencing to be too overwhelming.

That is until James met Blair Jordan. Blair was a student at the University of Washington in the business school when she lowered her car window and said hello to James. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. She would end up making it her personal mission to get him inside. And she did!

In April of 2020 James moved into the Kerner-Scott House run by DESC. There are no words to describe how beautiful that moment was. James was now sleeping in a bed. James was cooking his own food in his own kitchen. James was showering, shaving, and wearing clean clothes.

When Blair first said hello to James she could not have known she would be changing his life. She also could not have known she would be changing her own life. Blair’s career veered away from business into social work. She got a job doing outreach at DESC and currently works at REACH as a Screening & Outreach Coordinator. She will tell you, “Every day I am motivated to do this work because of James, he changed my life.”

James is survived by his two sisters Becky and Thurnice who live in Texas and a large chosen family of friends here in Seattle. He will be dearly missed by all those that knew him, loved him, and were changed by him. Love you James.

PLEASE JOIN US for a Community Celebration for James on August 17th 6:00 PM at East Montlake Park. Everyone is welcome!!!

This gathering will be held at the last place James lived outside, where he was told he would be moving inside. We are inviting everyone to come and take part in honoring James’ life. Parking will be tight. If you can bus, bike, or walk, please do. Even though it is outside, we are asking everyone to wear a mask. If you can make it, please let us know in the comments of this post. If you would like to share a story or feelings about James at the celebration, or have any questions whatsoever, please email me at rex@block-architects.com.

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 gift that is meaningful to you--even a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#facinghomelessness #justsayhello #windowofkindness #kindness #TheBLOCKProject

communityACTION

PLEASE MEET SEAN:

Please meet Sean. He's a reallyREALLY good guy. Over the past month his life has been turned upside down.

Sean works full-time as a mason. He also takes side masonry jobs. While working one of these side-jobs he fell 7'-0" off a ladder and shattered his heel. Instantly everything changed for him.

He spent two weeks in the hospital with doctors reconstructing his foot. When released he came home to find he'd been booted from his shared housing arrangement. His roommate's girlfriend had moved in. Without income there was nothing he could do.

He went to a friend's condo for some temporary couch surfing. A week later he found that his truck had been towed. He hadn't registered it with the condo-office.

In a matter of several weeks Sean went from living inside fully employed to being homeless without work and without his truck and tools.

By the time Facing Homelessness talked with Sean he was without HOPE. Early in our conversation he said, "I am so grateful that FH will listen to what I've been going through. I don't know where to turn." This is one of the things the FH COMMUNITY does best - to listen, connect, and be in community with each other.

Sean's truck had been in the tow yard for ten days. The fee was nearly $1,200.00 and all he had was $300. Facing Homelessness picked up the rest. For just under $900 this community helped keep Sean on a path of pulling himself back into housing.

We can Just Say Hello. We can get to know each other to be there in times of celebration and in times of need.

Sean has another month of healing before he can get back to work. If anybody has a small masonry job needing to be addressed, like tuckpointing a brick chimney, please let us know. We would love to connect you up with our new buddy Sean!

Wallingford 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 gift that is meaningful to you--even a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#facinghomelessness #justsayhello #TheBLOCKProject #kindness #windowofkindness

goodbyeFRIEND

PLEASE MEET RONNIE:

I'm beyond sad and very sorry to share that our goodGOOD friend Ronnie LaBranche has died.

I met Ronnie about 11 years ago, back when my architecture practice was along the canal in Fremont. Ronnie lived most of his life homeless. During the time I knew him he mostly camped out of a tent or every so often in a broken down RV.

Ronnie was a survivor. Even though he scared me a bit at first, we connected immediately. We were the same age and grew up probably a mile from each other, him in Ballard and myself on the north side of Queen Anne Hill. I wondered how many times we passed as young kids roaming neighborhoods on our bikes.

Ronnie shared openly about the struggles of growing up homeless. Most of his experiences would have dropped me to my knees. For him they were normal, including the craziness of being in gangs and all that came with that life.

I remember when he told me he had been shot early in his teens. He must have seen my eyes widen and said, "Do you wanna see the bullet hole?" He then lifted up his shirt and pointed to his belly button showing me where the bullet entered him, and then immediately turned around, dropped his pants and underwear, and pointed to his anus, saying, "This is where it came out!"

It took me a second to process, but then we both started to laugh, and kept laughing. That was Ronnie. He always had me guessing what was coming next. He was tough as nails, fearless, funny, loyal and, here's the part that you'd miss unless you got to know him, he had a beautiful sensitive caring heart. Despite his extremely difficult life, he was a really good man.

Early on in our friendship I remember a time he sat down in my office looking depressed. I asked what was going on. After a long silence he said, "I've not told you about my daughter. I still can't say her name without crying uncontrollably." He then shared that it was the year anniversary of her auto accident death. She was just 20 years old. I held Ronnie for a long time as his whole body shook from sobbing. It makes me tear up still just typing it now.

More often Ronnie was the one cheering others up. His kind heart and endless life energy looked out for those struggling. He brought countless young people to my office that had just fallen into homelessness, wanting to help them get connected and prepared for the struggle ahead.

Ronnie was perpetual motion. His survival on the street was a combination of smarts, ingenuity and simple hard work. For money he would scrap metal. Nothing was wasted or thrown away. Everything had multiple functions.

Ronnie also had a twinkle in his eye. He liked people. One of my favorite memories was when Diane Bell brought her daughter Karina, who was in the Girl Scouts, to my office with 53 boxes of girl-scout-cookies to handout to the homeless. Ronnie was there and immediately yelled out loud, "THOSE ARE MY FAVORITE COOKIES IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!" Karina, rather than shying away, leaned forward and handed him a box of thin mints! They became instant friends! Before Ronnie left he emptied out his bag and at the bottom pulled out a women's watch he had found on the street. He gave it to Karina. It was her first watch. The moment was priceless.

There are too many Ronnie memories to share. I'll post a few more with the pictures in the comments below.

I also want to let you know that Ronnie made it into housing a few months before he passed. I think the journey had just been too hard on him and once inside he could finally let go.

Rest In Peace Ronnie. THANK YOU for your dear friendship and all that you taught me. Your spirit is all BEAUTIFUL!

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 gift that is meaningful to you--even a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#justsayhello #facinghomelessness #kindness #TheBLOCKProject

beingHUMAN

PLEASE MEET MIKE QUINLAN:

This is Mike Quinlan of the Montlake Bicycle Shop giving Jane, who lives homeless in this tent, a bicycle. So darnDARN BEAUTIFUL!

I want to try and connect this beautiful act to why it's so important for each of us to reach out and take part in the journey of understanding and ultimately ending the community crisis that is homelessness.

A man who lives in a home near the Miller Playfield called. He said, "The community feels unsafe when using the field with people living homeless there." Then he added, "I'm an advocate for the children." I thanked him for that. I respectfully shared that all the people living in those tents are someone's child. He said, "Amen."

At the first tent I asked out loud, "Anybody in there?" A faint "yeah" came back. When I asked if they wanted socks three voices in unison said loudly, "Yes!" A young man unzipped the tent flap and said hello with kind eyes. They had set up their tent here because of being asked to move from the last spot.

At the next tent another young man answered back to the sock offer with a, "Yes Sir." When he came outside I asked where he was from, telling him nobody around here called me Sir. He said that he was from Texas, was looking for work, had never been homeless before. As we turned to go he thanked us again for the socks and then added, "But mostly, thank you for taking the time to talk with me."

At the next tent we met Jane. She was distraught because a good deal of her and her boyfriend's things had been stolen, including her bicycle. I let her know that Facing Homelessness and Montlake Bicycle Shop had partnered in the past to get bicycles for folks living outside. She was overwhelmed with joy over this possibility.

The next day, this same man who had called saying the community feels unsafe using the field, who had been afraid to visit those living there, on his own brought water to several of the folks he had met on our walk. I'm not saying he does not still have concerns, he does.

What I am saying is that when we come closer to the issue of homelessness, and we do so with an open heart, we not only provide service to those struggling, but we move ourselves forward to join the solution in ending homelessness.

Three days later Mike Quinlan delivered a new bicycle to Jane.

Just Say Hello.

Capitol Hill 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 #facinghomelessness #yesinmybackyard #kindness #TheBLOCKProject Montlake Bicycle Shop

beautifulHUMAN

PLEASE MEET PATRICK:

A few days ago my friend Michelle, who lives chronically homeless, called to let me know Patrick had passed. My stomach tightened. A feeling of sadness surrounded me.

I saw him a week ago, yelling to him from across the street. He started to cross over to talk, but I said, "Hey, I gotta run, I'll see you later, soon!" I tear up knowing I won't be able to see him again.

If I'm completely honest, there is anger there too. How is that we have not figured out how to provide housing for everyone? Is this as good as we can do? Are we okay with the way it is?

Patrick was 64 years old when he died. He grew up in Ballard. He was as sweet and kind of a man that you'll ever meet. Everyone that knew him, knew that to be true. He brought each of us joy.

He was a regular at the Fremont Cafe Ladro coffee shop. I remember once offering to buy him a cup of coffee while talking with him outside. He said, "No thank you, the nice people here usually give me a cup when I come in." When I was leaving I went over to thank the employees for the kindness given to Patrick and both behind the counter said it was nothing, that Patrick was an extremely nice man, that they loved him.

There are many worlds swirling around us in every moment. We're oblivious to most of them. Only when we stop to take an interest does that world truly become visible. If you take the time to look closer into the world of homelessness, you will find a depth of beauty there that will open and change you profoundly.

Patrick created this change for many by sharing his humanity.

Once I saw him sitting on a bench with his head in his hands, then a few days later he was leaning up against a building in an alley. I came over to ask if he was okay, he said, "Two of my brothers passed away." It was weighing heavily on him, so much sadness.

So often the dehumanization of homelessness has us forgetting that we all have feelings, that the heart feels love and pain whether you live inside or outside.

Patrick is one of those folks that had an extra charm to him, a twinkle in his eye. He was always happy to see you, eager to share thoughts or concerns. I remember once, as he was leaving the FH office, he stopped, turned to us and said, "Sometimes I get claustrophobic living in this universe!"

You are free from it all now my friend. So many blessings to you for being such an extremely beautiful human being. I just want to say, THANK YOU, for being you. You will be missed and always LOVED.

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 #FacingHomelessness #Kindness #TheBLOCKProject #yesinmybackyard

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

Plymouth Housing

soaringHIGH

PLEASE MEET JOSEPH:

With a heavy heart I want to share with you that Joseph Pidgeon passed away December 26, 2020. He died in bed at the age of 63 years old in a Plymouth Housing building downtown Seattle.

Who was Joseph you might ask?

What comes first to mind is that he was BEAUTIFUL. His beauty was connected to his smarts, which informed his humor, which fueled a certain mischievousness, which made him infinitely endearing! Joseph was also a father of three, a veteran, high-rise construction worker, musician, crossword puzzle wizard, and for about 20 of his last 21 years, he lived homeless.

When I first met Joseph it was winter. He had a blanket wrapped around him sitting in a wheelchair in the Fremont neighborhood. He was playing his guitar. As I approached I could hear him singing, '...people are strange', by The Doors. It made me smile, which made him smile, which was the beginning of our friendship.

Joseph had already been homeless for 10 years when we met. His life was caught in the spiral of alcoholism. It was difficult to witness. He was a sensitive man. He shared lots of feelings about his life, sometimes with frustration, sometimes with tears.

Joseph loveLOVED crossword puzzles. He could do the Sunday NY Times puzzle, the hardest of the week, in several hours. He was a good story-teller, loved a big laugh. One of the first adventures he told me about was how he'd climbed to the top of the 600' KIRO radio tower on Queen Anne Hill, not coming down until it became a media sensation, helicopters buzzing in circles! I doubted that he really did it, until I checked on the internet and found the article.

One day, several years later, Joseph came into my architecture office with his cane, sat down next to my drafting desk and said, "I want to thank you for your friendship and also say goodbye." He then told me he had a gun hidden outside and was going to kill himself. We talked and cried for an hour or so. I asked if I could call his case-manager, who then called the police. Five minutes later there were four officers talking gently with him, asking how he was doing. One officer put his hand on Joseph's shoulder and said, "Come on buddy, we are going to get you some help." Joseph looked up and replied, "I don't need help, I need love."

Patty Doyle was one of the very first volunteers for Facing Homelessness. She was retired and used her time to give love to those struggling outside. Joseph needed love and Patty gave it in the form of countless trips to the VA for treatments, trips to the emergency room, trips to the store for food or clothing, and endless phone calls and meetings advocating for Joseph. They became best friends. My heart hurts for Patty and her loss.

I want to give a special THANK YOU to Plymouth Housing for giving Joseph a place to stay. Both Patty and Plymouth made a profound difference in Joseph's life.

Thank you Joseph for sharing your beauty with us. Your friends and family, including Kristine your daughter, will miss you dearly.

Keep soaring higher and higher Joseph! LOVE.

Fremont 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 #yesinmybackyard #theblockproject

beautifulSEATTLE

PLEASE MEET DANNY:

I've heard yelled in meeting halls, "Seattle should be called Free-attle". It's easy to hold onto, catchy and clever. Our inner voice can say, "Yeah, why are we just giving people stuff, I've worked hard for mine."

To begin with, let's be clear, the only stuff that is important in life is the basic-needs-stuff. The rest of stuff is just stuff. Why are we so freaked out about giving it away? Why are we still making stuff more important than people?

The stuff people on our streets need is the basic-needs-stuff. It's that simple. Nobody should be in need of basic-needs-stuff. Nobody. If you don't feel the same, come closer to those struggling, you will feel differently.

Danny lives homeless in a truck. He's become a beautiful friend for me over the last 5 years. There has been a great deal of pain in his lifetime, I've seen just a small part of it.

I told Danny I was leaving FH on July 1st, that I wanted to make my last post about him. When we first met, July 8, 2015, he was cooking bacon, hash-browns, and blueberry pancakes on a grill next to his RV. I was biking past on the Burke Gilman Trail. I said hello and he invited me to breakfast!

So here is the thing, there is only one Danny. But there are two views of him. One that society sees from arm's-length, which includes a broken down RV (not anymore with his Nissan Pathfinder), a good deal of pot smoked, no job, a stressed relationship with the police, and more. Basically the negative stereotype against homelessness.

The other view, the up-close and personal view, is radically different. It moves from seeing the 'issue' of homelessness to seeing the person. It answers to the negative of the arm's-length view. This up-close view sees the sensitive and beautiful person that Danny is. He has lived in RV's because he has had two big dogs which makes it nearly impossible to find housing. They are his best friends. One recently sadly passed, which has been horrible for Danny. He smokes pot because it calms him, it allows him to function through the anxiety. He served in the military and suffers PTSD, which shows up when dealing with authority figures like the police.

For every negative that you might find and feel about Danny, or anyone else living on the street, know that your opinion is informed by the arm's-length view. If you come closer, to see the human being, to hear about their journey, your opinion will change. You will get to see the person.

Danny shared how emotionally difficult the past few years have been for him. That only a few friends have stuck it out with him when he was all over the place emotionally. That he appreciated I hung in there with him. I began to stream tears.

It's me that is so very grateful for Danny's friendship. This is the power of coming closer, of Just Saying Hello.

Danny was able to purchase a Nissan Pathfinder and needs help with registration costs, tabs, and some gas. Hoping we can raise $400.00 for him.

UPDATE: Paypal link has been removed in that our goal of raising $400 has been reached with $483.60 donated!!! WowWOW!!!!! We know this is going to greatly help Danny move forward. A HEARTFELT thanks to everyone!!!
No funds will go directly to Danny, no funds go to Facing Homelessness, as is always the case, and if there are funds remaining, they will go to someone with a like need. Thanks SO very much!!!

Georgetown 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

beautifulTOGETHER

PLEASE MEET LACEY & BILLY:

Lacey is 27 and Billy 29 years old. They are both homeless, Lacey for the last 3 years, Billy for 15 years. They are there for each other, it's easy to feel their connection.

As they stood telling me about the details of their lives, the twists and turns, the ups and downs, I saw them come closer to each other. When Billy shared how he ran away from Foster Care at the age of 14, Lacey took his hand. As Lacey shared about CPS taking her son and daughter, Billy held her tight.

I told them they were beautiful together and Lacey instantly smiled big and then teared up. Billy held her tighter.

I can't imagine the life they are living. I just can't imagine.

We would like to get Lacey and Billy a hotel room for two nights, just a break from the craziness. If (10) people donate $20, we can make it happen. Let's do this. Please.

UPDATE: The Paypal link has been pulled in that the goal of raising $200 has been reached with $491.88 raised, wowWOW!! No funds go to Lacey&Billy, and is always the case, no funds go to FH. If funds are left over, they will go to someone with a like need. A heartfelt THANKS!!!

A big and beautiful LOVE to you Lacey and Billy!!

Downtown Seattle 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

easilyMISSED

PLEASE MEET BRIAN:

You've paid for parking. Two hours time. It should be enough to drop books off at the library, grab coffee at your favorite coffee shop, and then head to the park to sit, relax and catch up on social media. Along the way you pass a man sitting on the curb next to his truck, which is also his home. You didn't see him, but he was there.

You don't know it, but this man is a beautiful person. Yes he's fallen on tough times, but he's gentle and caring. He doesn't have much, but he's into helping others, sharing his time.

He could be anyone, but his name is Brian. He's 64 years old, grew up in Butte, Montana working the mines. He loves heights and depths, the deeper the better, he was made for mining. Not anymore though. Too old, too many injuries.

The truck he lives in was given to him by Brother Isaac at St. Luke's. A gift to his friend just before passing away. They had come to enjoy each other's company, taking care of the grounds. The truck had been sitting for a long time, because of it the tires and battery are shot.

We would like to raise $1,000 for Brian to get (4) new tires and batteries, the truck takes two. It would mean the world to him. He wants to use the vehicle to help move belongings to storage for friends living on the street. He's just that kind of guy.

I know social media is important. Heck, Facing Homelessness has 53K people on this page reaching out with kindness. But maybe, just maybe next time you are out and about, look for that person sitting alone, having a tough time of it. I promise your life will shift if you stop and Just Say Hello. The human experience of it all will be infinitely more real and beautiful than anything you'll find on your phone.

A community size LOVE to you Brian. Thanks so much for sharing about your life, especially all the interesting stuff about mining. As soon as this Covid virus is under control I'm going to take you up on your offer of heading to the mountains to pan for gold. I got a good feeling about it!!!

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 The Bridge Care Center Linda Soriano

deepGRATITUDE

PLEASE MEET CHIAKA:

Ten years ago I met this man. His name is Chiaka. He's a prolific genius artist. He forever changed my life.

While his artful way impacted me greatly, what mattered most was the friendship he openly invited me into. He shared his journey of homelessness, both his struggles and successes. He trusted me to see him, to know him, exactly as he is. Nothing more, nothing less.

What I discovered over these last ten years, beginning and running this page, is that Chiaka's invitation to come closer, is not unique. Every one of us, living inside or out, at some level, wants to be seen as we are. Nothing more, nothing less.

This is what we owe each other. To break down the barriers of separation and 'Just Say Hello'. To come closer and see for ourselves the person standing in front of us. To not judge. To not control. To just be and feel and love.

Facing Homelessness is asking of all of us to journey creating relationships as a means for building healthy community. And what is beautiful about that, is that healthy community does not accept homelessness.

With overflowing emotions, I want to share that on July 1st I am stepping down at Facing Homelessness. It would be impossible to convey how important these last ten years have been for me, getting to come closer with all of you.

The decision to leave is similar to the reason for why I began. And that is, because my heart tells me it is time.

Facing Homelessness is in this beautiful place of having transformed itself into a vibrant advocate for those in need. It is supported by many thousands of people all putting LOVE first as the foundation for ending homelessness. That is no small thing, in fact, it is a bigBIG THING!!

Its programs of 'Just Say Hello', 'Window of Kindness', 'Community CleanUPs', and the 'BLOCK Project' are thriving with a dedicated staff, board, and community to go with!

I look forward to all the beautiful future conversations I get to have, now as a volunteer!!! A heartfelt THANK YOU to every single person that opened their heart on this collective journey.

At Facing Homelessness we often say, 'Our personal journey defines the direction of this org, not the other way around.' This includes all of you. We are all in this together!

Feeling so much LOVE.

Seattle neighborhoods | Rex

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

almostHOME

PLEASE MEET AUNTIE:

Falling into homelessness is a unique journey. Every person has their own details of when, how, and why. If we stop to listen we find a truth shared by all, that nobody chose their homelessness. In fact, quite the opposite. At every decision, they chose what they thought best for them among the available options.

Auntie lives with chronic pain. Doctors inserted a pain-pump in her abdomen as a method of giving medication directly to her spinal cord. It worked until she got behind in payments and the doses of medication were cutoff. To address the pain, she turned to heroin. That was several years ago.

When I first met Auntie and her sweet dog Mr. B she was sitting on the tailgate of an RV wincing with pain because the man she was sharing space with beat her up. She thought maybe he had broken her wrist. I drove her to Virginia Mason to have it looked at. While it was not broken, they kept her for three days due to her vitals being in such bad shape. She was released and went back to the railroad tracks in SODO.

If you asked me what Auntie's chances of making it were at that time I would have said not very good, not good at all. In fact beginning of April I was told by folks on the street that Auntie had died, died with a needle in her arm. I was heart broken. I wrote her obituary and posted it on this page. After an outpouring of LOVE for Auntie was shared by so many in this community, I received a phone call from Auntie, telling me she was still very much alive!

She told me she had been at Sophia Way and that they were helping her move forward in a beautiful positive way. They were also looking to find housing for her, wowWOW!!

Keep in mind that housing wait-lists are running between 2-3 years. Which is a whole other conversation of frustration. However Katie, who is Auntie's case-manager, is asking us for help to make housing happen over night, housing for a year which will give time to then figure something permanent.

Here is the PLAN: Katie will find a year-lease for Auntie at $1,000 a month. Auntie pays $450 with $550 being paid by donations. $550x12=$6,600.00. This community, on a previous post has already raised $2,350.10 for Auntie, leaving $4,249.90 needing to be raised.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5N7YH38JASYFY&source=url

If you asked me again, what Auntie's chances of making it were now, I would say very good, like really really good!

Katie said, "My hope is to get her set up with resources and programs that will sustain her so that she will never be homeless again." She went on to share that Auntie has been taking great care of herself. Going to doctor's appointments. Taking her medicine. Her left eye has gone blind and she is seeing her doctor regularly to get help. She's also only smoking a couple cigarettes a day, trying her best to quit. On top of all that, she's been saving money. For all of you that have worried about her dog, Mr. B has seen the vet and is doing great!

Here is the icing on the cake, Auntie has been sober since 12/25/2019. She attends recovery meetings and working on her bright beautiful future!!!

Let's raise the $4,249.90 and get Auntie inside for a year and make good on Katie's HOPE of never letting Auntie be homeless again. ALL LOVE!

Seattle neighborhoods | 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!

healingART

PLEASE MEET STEVE:

I think most of you know Steve, he's been a dear friend on this page for about 9 years. He's such a beautiful and goodGOOD man.

When we first met he was living in a tent buried in a giant blackberry bramble, now he lives inside at DESC's Aurora House, wowWOW!! His room is an artist's room, wonderfully him!

Steve shares, "Art is a path for my personal betterment." Some of you have bought his art-work off of this page. Those moments were beautiful and meant the world to him, and to us too.

I want to tell you that Steve is having a tough time right now. His brother, who was living in their home town of Lincoln, Nebraska, just died. Besides the grief of losing his brother, he's worried about his mom for all the suffering she is going through losing a son.

To get through this time, Steve wants to do a painting, one that he can sell on this page. He then wants to use the money to pay piano movers to move a 'free' piano into the community room at Aurora House. He sees this as a gift to those he lives with, a way to pay it forward.

We are asking for art supplies for Steve. He could use small and large water color paper, water colors, and some good quality colored pencils. THANKS!!!

Please sendTO: Facing Homelessness c/o Steve 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98105.

Thank you everyone for reaching out in support of Steve during his time of need. So much LOVE for this community.

Aurora Avenue 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 Crosscut KING 5