I’ve been out here 37 years. Before that I was in Vietnam killing people. That’s all I did , day in day out- kill people. And I’m not going to…
Laura, 44- Sacramento, CA
“I am here from years of drug abuse and domestic violence. It wasn’t just one domestic violence incident it’s been my whole life, every relationship I’ve been in.” “I was…
Steve, 55- Redding, CA
“I look more homeless than you do!” “Well what does homelessness look like?” “I have epilepsy. Alcohol and stress is definitely a part of it. That triggered the last seizure. You…
Gary, 68- Redding, CA
“I had a stroke back in 2001 and that pretty much retired me. Since then I’ve had one more. The second one left the left side of my body numb….
Terri, 49- Portland, OR
“I take drugs mostly to deal with the pain from my car accident- my ex-boyfriend tried to kill me” “I’ve died several times by overdosing on Heroin. I got my…
Richard, 61- Portland, OR
“My daughter died four years ago and I haven’t given a shit about anything since then.” Understanding the breadth of homelessness can be near impossible. Statistics and research may be…
Scooby, 25- Seattle, WA
“Be thankful, and more importantly – whether it be a person, a flower, a bug, anything- to produce more in the universe to be thankful for.” One dominating stereotype of…
Ian, 28- Portland, OR
“Let me tell you, it’s a scary thing to lose your mind.” Though the LGBT represents an estimated 7% of the general population, LGBT youth makes up 40% of the youth…
Matthew, 36 -Boise, ID
When visiting the shelter, I use my volunteered service as an opportunity to meet those attending one by one, keeping my eyes open for anyone who may have an unheard…
Sara Jean, 18 or 19 – Los Angeles, CA
Along the sanded sidewalks of Venice Beach, I saw a young woman cocooning herself and her belongings with a large tarp in attempt to protect herself from the wind….