by Founder, Matt Brown
Like so many of us, I’m a “fixer.” I have been a first responder for many years, law enforcement officer, and counselor. I see someone struggling, I want to solve the immediate issue.
Our unhoused friends have so many challenges- lack of housing; significant mental health and substance use challenges; serious, often life-threatening health issues; the effects of decades of trauma and the scarcity of much-needed resources to name just a few.
It can be overwhelming meeting someone dealing with so many difficulties.
It has taken me some time, but I now recognize that our unhoused friends don’t expect us to solve these challenges. They want us to stand our ground by their side and share the darkness with them. What they need most, is for us to simply provide a consistent and loving presence; a compassionate and listening ear; radical acceptance and a true sense of belonging and connection. It can seem so inadequate when the needs are so immense, but we have learned that when our hands are empty but our hearts are full, this is realm where miracles can happen.