….or walking side by side with those cast away from the slip stream of the church of capitalism
December 2018 – present
Who do I serve?
When you walk the streets of Seattle you may see the humans I have had the privlege of serving.
When you sit in the library you may see the humans who have changed me irrevocably.
You may sit next to them at the local coffee shop or stand in line with them at Safeway and have no idea that they are currently experiencing the pain and trauma of instability and uncertainty.
There is no one LOOK to someone experiencing homelessness. It impacts Americans across all of the demographic lines we can measure. A recent study shows 65% of Americans report living paycheck to paycheck.
Homelessness and housing instability can impact (nearly) anyone.
Homelessness is not caused by a moral failing, mental health challenges, or addiction. Homelessness is a trauma that can exacerbate or begin mental health conditions or awaken/deepen addiciton. Homelessness is the direct result of not enough affordable homes for everyone.
The beginnings
I have worked in direct service for people experiencing homelessness since the cold winter of December 2018.
I began in church basements serving 60 adults who had nowhere to sleep that night.
At Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness, we provided emergency temporary refuge from the elements in the Winter Shelter from October-March. Mats on the floor. A scratchy blanket. No pillow. A donated meal and sack lunch for the next day. In by 10pm, out at 6:30am. Reserve your spot day of- when we are full we are full.
We did not ID people or do background checks. The only requirement was the ability to cohabitate (mostly) peacefully in the congregate setting. Drunk? High? Having an mental health episode? Come in- as long as you can play nice.
In this setting I saw many things, heard stories of grief and terror, gave chest compressions and NARCAN, held hands through joy and anxiety alike.
This work changed me and impacted how I move in this world. I no longer fear the people who I encounter on any given night in Seattle. I fear the inadequacies of the system that has failed so many of them. I no longer fear jumping in when I see a crisis. I fear the cold hearts and casual hatred I see in others when they see my loved community.
I have moved from this first experience in the trenches to a 4th floor office working with families experiencing homelessness as a part of a juggernaut in the field. The day to day emotional landscape is incredibly similar.
The titles and pay have changed. The hearset/mindset have not.
Secondary trauma
Social services are notorious for burnout. I have nearly burned out many times in this work.
I carry my own story of lived experiences and trauma. These are my first-hand traumas. I have many avenues to process and integrate from these.
Attuning with my clients on the church basement floor or in my hotel room office brings with it a great deal of referred trauma. It is impossible (for me) to be fully engaged with my clients without incurring a great deal of secondary trauma.
The response
I have engaged all of my normal ways of processing trauma to stay grounded in this work. Receovery communities, therapy, connection to my family and friends, mindfullness practices, and on and on. But one outlet has proven time and time again to be the action that keeps me here.
Click below to see what has allowed me to be fully embodied and of maximum service in this work….
MERE death 