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
