We are now halfway through the commemoration of our 50th anniversary year. What a ride it has been, and how much further we have to go: continuing to march forward for change, breaking fundraising records, and constant progress to make sure all of our neighbors have a safe, warm, and consistent place to live.
It is when we as individuals feel the full measure of compassion and empathy for our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness that Duluth will see change.
Supporting organizations like ours is one thing. But, taking your coat off your back to give to someone without is another. That is the attitude we need to have if we ever want to see the number of people experiencing homelessness stop rising. Yes, we are saying that it will take that kind of support and love to see a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness.
You have made a big difference this year. We are all tired, mostly of seeing friends and family struggling. But, we must continue to push forward.
We see multiple messages every month from someone right on the verge of becoming homeless. I connect them with the resources that they need, and hope for the best. Often times I wish there was more I could do.
Knowing that countless people in our community are so close to disaster is heart-wrenching. It is only the fact that our community has done so much work thus far that I retain hope for what is to come.
We ask not only for your support but for everyone to act together to stop the rising numbers of homelessness.