Meet Jeanine

Meet Jeanine

It's the cascade effect. She said, “Just look at me. You would think by the way that I look that I’ve been homeless for 20 years.” The reality is that Jeanine's fall into homelessness was about 5 years ago. A single mom put into unsafe situations which lead her to hard choices - a roof over their head or safety for her and her son. Before being faced with those options, she had a successful career and was paying on a home and had relationship with all its ups and downs.

Her story is similar to many. What happens is that it all starts with one thing, and then the snowball effect comes rolling down the hill. It is something that could happen to any of us. First an injury on the job and then payments can’t be made. Next you realize that because of the injury you can’t do very much, or in the same way you use to. Then the house gets taken, and your labeled disabled now. You come to realize you might never make the same amount of money again . Your husband or wife dies. Even more grief. You try and trust a new person and they show themselves to be unsafe. You send your child to stay with extended family in hopes of safety for them. Your alone, a car accident happens and your injured even more. Through doctor appointments and recovery you are trying to understand housing programs and benefits. You are trying to live on no money at all and make it in a cold, hungry world.

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Meet Nick, Sarah, Sofia and Princess

Meet Nick, Sarah, Sofia and Princess

2019 starts off with a fresh reminder that the face of homelessness has been changing. This young family are proof of that. New to Vancouver from Montana, they are doing everything in their power to do what it takes to stay healthy as a family and get inside.

Sofia is the bright-eyed beacon of happiness that keeps this young family motivated! She is a talkative, loving and inquisitive 9 month old and the light of Nick and Sarah’s life. Nick is working hard to get connected with education and work resources here to get his family back inside and keep their life headed in good directions. They were able to get a spot in the WHO which will be help in this process, but with the spot in WHO came a new challenge. Their small senior dog, Princess, wouldn’t be able to stay with them at the shelter. They needed a place their beloved 16 year old senior pet could stay while things get figured out, and that’s how we got to meet this awesome family!

Meet Rick

When you meet this gentle soul, you will immediately notice his constant use of deep rooted manners. He attributes this to his parents, especially his mother. Rick is a veteran who is proud of his service, even tho he navigates a deep sadness for reasons he is not quite ready to share. And this is from a man that easily shares the best and worst of his life choices. You might have seen Rick at some of our on ramps flying a sign. If you have and you have ever helped him out, he specifically asked me to say a loud and very genuine THANK YOU.

The thing about Rick is that he has had three loves of his life in his almost 70 years. Like a tragic love story, he tells me the exact start and ending dates of each of these beautiful relationships that had been part of his life. Rick's done fighting himself and he keeps attempting to do what he needs to do. He knows not to beat himself up for not being perfect and he is determined to get inside and start treating himself with respect. We hug and ask permission to remind him of these things he is saying to us today. He said, "That would be ok. In fact, I would like it if you did. I know I can count on you guys to push me a little when I need it."

Join us in encouraging Rick and everyone navigating tough times to treat themselves with respect and kindness. We all deserve beautiful endings to the tragic stories in our lives.

~ Adam & Ren

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