Streets of Hope, United States.

Dan cultivates a community here, with Streets of Hope.
Volunteers gather and create bags of food and water to distribute to the downtown homeless community.

The goal of every Monday night’s distribution is to create connections and have conversations with individuals that need support from their community. It’s to remember that we all co-inhabit this world and should help one another, despite our circumstances.
Streets of Hope creates connection.

During this Monday night service, I experienced this opportunity through a different lens of reality. Ordinarily, I would come with a group of friends for a club event. I came here myself tonight with the intention of being a fly on the wall and capturing special moments that only few are vulnerable enough to experience.

Dan and his Streets of Hope crew were setting up tables to prepare for the volunteers. They made sure to have all of the food, drinks and bagging items ready. There was also a section a little farther down the street where clothing was being sectioned out in sizes. Here, individuals could scope out the clothing available for donation.

Once the bags were created, it was time to move the volunteer effort into a more intimate flow. Volunteers are asked to be open to the new experiences awaiting them tonight. Tammy and Chris did a phenomenal job of providing inspirational energy. Whether you religiously align - Tammy does a magical job cultivating a collective sense of unity within the community.

After 30 or so minutes of grounding speech and creating goodie bags, the next step was to get groups of 6-10 people to distribute along certain streets of downtown and to try to create connections with people that are accepting donations. The mission, if you are truly paying attention, is not just giving time and physical aid, but open your heart and allow people to be heard and respected.

When people give their time and money for volunteer services, it is appreciated and acknowledged. But there are aspects of aid that can not be bought - like friendliness and the time of day. Homeless communities all around the United States are ignored and viewed as nuisances.

The public views them as drug abusers and lazy - unwilling to get up and get a job, when many times mental illness or poverty create a lack of options. This is an intersectional issue which includes politics, our health care system and even gaps in the organizations that are meant to helpthis community. It is impossible to gauge exactly when or how the gap in disparity became so apparent.

Treating another human like they deserve to live a fufilling life, just as you deserve, should not be up to debate.

It’s making eye contact.
Responding to a comment.
Or listening to what a person who is living on the street has to say that is lacking.

With the stereotypes circulating, people have become scared to interact with the homeless community. It’s the stigma that truly creates this block.

Streets of Hope reintroduces common courtesy for people. The conversations are not intended to force education on someone, like: “hey, you can do this or that to get off the street.” You listen to their story and focus on what they are trying to share with you.

Streets of Hope offers the blessing on both sides of the Monday night journey.

The volunteer, if open and allowing, creates a bond and tries to understand this part of our world that probably does not make sense. Give the opportunity to break stigmas in a safe and supportive environment.
The experience becomes symbiotic. Be a part of it, give it a chance.