Marie lived with him for years.  Sometimes he would get angry and lash out, but it was only occasional.  The yelling wasn’t too bad.  And the bruises and scars would heal up.  The worst part was the embarrassment when her friends would ask about him.  She would deny his abuse...

In our worship, people are allowed to speak up in the middle of the sermons.  I had just made a statement, “As opposed to the misconceptions of many who are housed, homeless people do not choose homelessness as a lifestyle.” As is typical, Theo speaks up, “I did.” “Really?  Because...

Mark is an organized, clean young man.  He also happens to be houseless. He created a large tent area with a BBQ grill, a separate space for friends to stay over, and decorated his area with flowers and ribbons.  Really nice.  Until someone burned it down. He saw the smoke...

A vision is a seeing of the future, powerful enough to help create that future. Envision what could be with me that we might re-create what is. I see a city that would welcome the homeless as neighbors and equal citizens I see a city that would create space for everyone to...

You have a work history, but something went terribly wrong. Perhaps it’s nothing physical, but you are no longer able to function. You do all you can to fix it, but you end up on the street anyway. You hear from someone to apply for disability. You apply. You are...

I note that there are many, many people who fear the homeless. This is because they don’t recognize that the homeless are their neighbors. Sure, we have some irritating neighbors, even bad ones, but as long as we are polite to our neighbors, they will be polite to us. If...

When I am exhausted and I cannot endure a moment’s more compassion, a moment’s more mercy, a moment’s more sacrifice, somehow, I find a moment more. That must come from God, for I have often come to the end of myself. Only God is found where there is nothing left.

Marcine grew up abused by her father. She left home early, got a job and worked hard. Someone had lied about her and so she lost that job. The stress of her life was too overwhelming, so she sat in her apartment, unable to seek another job. “They won’t hire...

Tim was an alcoholic, but through support and a job he stopped drinking. He lost his job and ended up on the street, but he determined that he wouldn’t go back to alcohol as a “solution” to his problems. His friends all drank, and constantly offered him some, but he...