Tagged homeless

“Sometimes you feel like you fail as a parent, because my kids have had to know what homeless is, they’ve had to know what it’s like not to have food accessible. But the one thing they are blessed with, is they know empathy and they know compassion, and they know how to be resourceful.” – Michelle, Spokane

This week we’re featuring local individuals from the upcoming documentary “A Walk Through Poverty” created by Rogue Heart Media, Inc. in partnership with Spokane’s SNAP and John J. Hemmingson Philanthropy. You’re invited to the premiere public screening this Saturday at Gonzaga. See event details here.

Jonathan has been deaf since an illness in infancy. When we met on the streets of Spokane, he wrote out this message: “The doctor offer my parents there’s a med that will kill my ears or blind. Choice. My parents chose me to be deaf due to meds. Originally was born hearing…I lost a partner a year ago from hit by truck in Colorado on June 29,2015 and really tough on me and I am kinda still angry at God. I have 3 teen son and 1 baby on way. Thanks for coffee.”

Photo: Jessica Morgan

“Half the time I didn’t know where I was. I remember trying to find a place to sleep on the street in between alleys. Just a lady and a shopping cart…a drunk on the street…It’s just amazing how my life has changed, and if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.” – Helen, Coeur d’Alene

Photo by James Bishop

“To one day be able to come home and know that I’m paying rent on a house, that’s my big goal in my life. I’ve already succeeded in a lot of my goals…I’ve got my driver’s license. I’m paying on my child support. I’m paying on all the financial obligations I have…So I can look in the mirror and know that that’s Troy and be proud of that.” – Troy, UGM Thrift Store

Photo by Jessica Morgan

“I wanted the job because I wanted to give back and to say thanks for what was done for me, for putting me on a path and showing me that I am worth something…This job is all about coming alongside a man and telling him, ‘Everything’s gonna be OK. You’re doing a great job here today’ and putting a little light on his life for a minute.” – Derek Mobley, UGM Men’s Shelter Kitchen Supervisor

“The best part of nursing is absolutely getting to meet people. You really get the patient interaction and get to develop a rapport and can talk to people, and you really get to learn about them and develop a trust. I’m only here once a week, but we get to talk, and I get to develop that rapport [with the ladies] more quickly in just being here. To be able to be someone trusting that they can talk to has been really cool.” – Katherine, Volunteer in Medical Clinic at Anna Ogden Hall

“I decided I wanted to quit drinking, and a friend of mine told me about this program…I haven’t touched a drop since I’ve been up here, and I’m just trying to do everything I can to get back on my feet and change my surroundings and my life.” – Dale, Men’s Shelter resident

“Oh my gosh, I called every family member I knew, because change for an addict is scary. I would walk to the fence and call my papa who raised me, and I told him, ‘What should I do?’ He said, just take that step, and I took that step and here I am.” -Debbie, Crisis Shelter resident