nearly 12,000 people right now are experiencing homelessness in King County
experiencing homelessness in King County
experiencing homelessness in King County that’s a really big number for me to get
that’s a really big number for me to get
that’s a really big number for me to get my head around homelessness is a complex
my head around homelessness is a complex
my head around homelessness is a complex emotional issue so much so that for most
emotional issue so much so that for most
emotional issue so much so that for most of us we quiet our compassion and we
of us we quiet our compassion and we
of us we quiet our compassion and we simply walk past those suffering two
simply walk past those suffering two
simply walk past those suffering two years ago my father and I began
years ago my father and I began
years ago my father and I began discussions about how we as architects
discussions about how we as architects
discussions about how we as architects could use design to create a path for
could use design to create a path for
could use design to create a path for everyone to get involved in ending
everyone to get involved in ending
everyone to get involved in ending homelessness we want to do this for
homelessness we want to do this for
homelessness we want to do this for those living on our streets
those living on our streets
those living on our streets first and foremost but also for each and
first and foremost but also for each and
first and foremost but also for each and every one of us because homelessness
every one of us because homelessness
every one of us because homelessness affects all of us
affects all of us
affects all of us we all carry a piece of it with us
we all carry a piece of it with us
we all carry a piece of it with us regardless of our connection to it
regardless of our connection to it
regardless of our connection to it so my daughter Jen and I were both born
so my daughter Jen and I were both born
so my daughter Jen and I were both born in Seattle
in Seattle
in Seattle and we absolutely love living here we
and we absolutely love living here we
and we absolutely love living here we share so many similar feelings about how
share so many similar feelings about how
share so many similar feelings about how amazing this place is
amazing this place is
amazing this place is and a big part of that is that we know
and a big part of that is that we know
and a big part of that is that we know that we live in a city that cares that
that we live in a city that cares that
that we live in a city that cares that is willing to step forward to make
is willing to step forward to make
is willing to step forward to make change happen when change is needed like
change happen when change is needed like
change happen when change is needed like how we all recycle which is a great
how we all recycle which is a great
how we all recycle which is a great example when I was growing up here
example when I was growing up here
example when I was growing up here nobody recycled everything I mean every
nobody recycled everything I mean every
nobody recycled everything I mean every little thing just went to the dump but
little thing just went to the dump but
little thing just went to the dump but in 1988 when I was just one year old
in 1988 when I was just one year old
in 1988 when I was just one year old Seattle led the nation in a curbside
Seattle led the nation in a curbside
Seattle led the nation in a curbside recycling program a grassroots movement
recycling program a grassroots movement
recycling program a grassroots movement led by one person picked up recyclables
led by one person picked up recyclables
led by one person picked up recyclables from his neighbor’s in the Fremont
from his neighbor’s in the Fremont
from his neighbor’s in the Fremont neighborhood and because of his actions
neighborhood and because of his actions
neighborhood and because of his actions for the last 30 years we have all
for the last 30 years we have all
for the last 30 years we have all recycled it’s profound to me the change
recycled it’s profound to me the change
recycled it’s profound to me the change that one person can create here’s
that one person can create here’s
that one person can create here’s another big change that happened in our
another big change that happened in our
another big change that happened in our city when I was a kid you didn’t swim in
city when I was a kid you didn’t swim in
city when I was a kid you didn’t swim in Lake Washington because of all of the
Lake Washington because of all of the
Lake Washington because of all of the residential and industrial sewage being
residential and industrial sewage being
residential and industrial sewage being dumped into the lake in fact the Post
dumped into the lake in fact the Post
dumped into the lake in fact the Post Intelligencer called it Lake stinko but
Intelligencer called it Lake stinko but
Intelligencer called it Lake stinko but by the time I was old enough to swim
by the time I was old enough to swim
by the time I was old enough to swim Lake Washington was clean and beautiful
Lake Washington was clean and beautiful
Lake Washington was clean and beautiful all set into motion by one person’s
all set into motion by one person’s
all set into motion by one person’s research at the University of Washington
research at the University of Washington
research at the University of Washington today it is still studied as one of the
today it is still studied as one of the
today it is still studied as one of the best lake restoration examples in the
best lake restoration examples in the
best lake restoration examples in the world and this some 40 years ago a my
world and this some 40 years ago a my
world and this some 40 years ago a my high school in this city and I am deeply
high school in this city and I am deeply
high school in this city and I am deeply ashamed to share this there were
ashamed to share this there were
ashamed to share this there were students bragging about beating up gays
students bragging about beating up gays
students bragging about beating up gays in the parks on weekends but I went to
in the parks on weekends but I went to
in the parks on weekends but I went to the same high school as my father and as
the same high school as my father and as
the same high school as my father and as horrible as that is I can tell you that
horrible as that is I can tell you that
horrible as that is I can tell you that I had two friends that were openly gay
I had two friends that were openly gay
I had two friends that were openly gay students there are times circumstances
students there are times circumstances
students there are times circumstances conditions when we all know that we need
conditions when we all know that we need
conditions when we all know that we need to come together to take action it’s
to come together to take action it’s
to come together to take action it’s like when a river is about to crest and
like when a river is about to crest and
like when a river is about to crest and flood a town and everyone pitches in to
flood a town and everyone pitches in to
flood a town and everyone pitches in to stock sandbags and do whatever they can
stock sandbags and do whatever they can
stock sandbags and do whatever they can to to help but today Seattle is flooded
to to help but today Seattle is flooded
to to help but today Seattle is flooded with people unable to find housing for
with people unable to find housing for
with people unable to find housing for two years now our city and our county
two years now our city and our county
two years now our city and our county have a declared state of civil emergency
have a declared state of civil emergency
have a declared state of civil emergency on homelessness with people sleeping
on homelessness with people sleeping
on homelessness with people sleeping under bridges under freeways in parks
under bridges under freeways in parks
under bridges under freeways in parks and along sidewalks it’s as if the
and along sidewalks it’s as if the
and along sidewalks it’s as if the floodwaters of homelessness have Crested
floodwaters of homelessness have Crested
floodwaters of homelessness have Crested and are now flowing freely through our
and are now flowing freely through our
and are now flowing freely through our neighborhoods this is not the Seattle
neighborhoods this is not the Seattle
neighborhoods this is not the Seattle that I grew up with nor is it the
that I grew up with nor is it the
that I grew up with nor is it the feelings that we both have about our
feelings that we both have about our
feelings that we both have about our city we are at a critical tipping point
city we are at a critical tipping point
city we are at a critical tipping point right now right here on whether or not
right now right here on whether or not
right now right here on whether or not we are going to accept homelessness as
we are going to accept homelessness as
we are going to accept homelessness as some new normal for now and future
some new normal for now and future
some new normal for now and future generations or if we’re going to step
generations or if we’re going to step
generations or if we’re going to step forward and make the change needed like
forward and make the change needed like
forward and make the change needed like the profound changes this city has made
the profound changes this city has made
the profound changes this city has made in the short 30 years between the both
in the short 30 years between the both
in the short 30 years between the both of us in this image there are nine
of us in this image there are nine
of us in this image there are nine thousand faces representing the
thousand faces representing the
thousand faces representing the approximate number of people currently
approximate number of people currently
approximate number of people currently living homeless in Seattle each face has
living homeless in Seattle each face has
living homeless in Seattle each face has been minimized so much so that they
been minimized so much so that they
been minimized so much so that they blend into the one the oneness of
blend into the one the oneness of
blend into the one the oneness of homelessness this is how we see the
homelessness this is how we see the
homelessness this is how we see the homeless as a group it is a major
homeless as a group it is a major
homeless as a group it is a major stumbling block we are all compassionate
stumbling block we are all compassionate
stumbling block we are all compassionate people we all care
people we all care
people we all care but often we don’t know what to do
but often we don’t know what to do
but often we don’t know what to do because the problem is just too big too
because the problem is just too big too
because the problem is just too big too monolithic but there is something we can
monolithic but there is something we can
monolithic but there is something we can do when we zoom in to see just a hundred
do when we zoom in to see just a hundred
do when we zoom in to see just a hundred and twelve of these faces we can begin
and twelve of these faces we can begin
and twelve of these faces we can begin to see the uniqueness of each face and
to see the uniqueness of each face and
to see the uniqueness of each face and when we come closer yet to see just
when we come closer yet to see just
when we come closer yet to see just twenty eight faces something remarkable
twenty eight faces something remarkable
twenty eight faces something remarkable happens we begin to see the individual
happens we begin to see the individual
happens we begin to see the individual and get a feeling for that person and
and get a feeling for that person and
and get a feeling for that person and then when we come to stand fully in
then when we come to stand fully in
then when we come to stand fully in front of just three people Caesar
front of just three people Caesar
front of just three people Caesar Cory and Shelly here and I tell you
Cory and Shelly here and I tell you
Cory and Shelly here and I tell you something about each person about how
something about each person about how
something about each person about how Caesar despite being homeless has
Caesar despite being homeless has
Caesar despite being homeless has continued to pursue his voice acting
continued to pursue his voice acting
continued to pursue his voice acting career and Cory who was a flight
career and Cory who was a flight
career and Cory who was a flight attendant for six years married to a
attendant for six years married to a
attendant for six years married to a pilot but is now right now sleeping in a
pilot but is now right now sleeping in a
pilot but is now right now sleeping in a tent in the Arboretum or Shelly about
tent in the Arboretum or Shelly about
tent in the Arboretum or Shelly about his work as a vendor and a board member
his work as a vendor and a board member
his work as a vendor and a board member at the real change Street newspaper it
at the real change Street newspaper it
at the real change Street newspaper it is in these connections that we can
is in these connections that we can
is in these connections that we can begin to open and in that moment we no
begin to open and in that moment we no
begin to open and in that moment we no longer see the huge monolithic issue but
longer see the huge monolithic issue but
longer see the huge monolithic issue but instead a person a person like Tyler
instead a person a person like Tyler
instead a person a person like Tyler here who lives in an RV with his father
here who lives in an RV with his father
here who lives in an RV with his father every person here today would want for
every person here today would want for
every person here today would want for Tyler what we have for ourselves and
Tyler what we have for ourselves and
Tyler what we have for ourselves and that is not just shelter but a home in a
that is not just shelter but a home in a
that is not just shelter but a home in a community to live in when we see the
community to live in when we see the
community to live in when we see the individual person within the larger
individual person within the larger
individual person within the larger issue this is the beginning of the
issue this is the beginning of the
issue this is the beginning of the solution
solution
solution we have an idea for a path out of
we have an idea for a path out of
we have an idea for a path out of homelessness it’s called the block
homelessness it’s called the block
homelessness it’s called the block project and what the block project is is
project and what the block project is is
project and what the block project is is putting very small homes in people’s
putting very small homes in people’s
putting very small homes in people’s backyards for those in need one per
backyards for those in need one per
backyards for those in need one per block block by block
block block by block
block block by block now before Airbnb the thought of
now before Airbnb the thought of
now before Airbnb the thought of inviting a complete stranger into your
inviting a complete stranger into your
inviting a complete stranger into your home to spend the night while you slept
was unthinkable I mean really what if
was unthinkable I mean really what if they were an axe murderer but my mom who
they were an axe murderer but my mom who
they were an axe murderer but my mom who is here today hi mom
is here today hi mom
is here today hi mom hi granny sleeps just fine in fact
hi granny sleeps just fine in fact
hi granny sleeps just fine in fact better than fine she loves all the new
better than fine she loves all the new
better than fine she loves all the new friends she’s making in the reimagining
friends she’s making in the reimagining
friends she’s making in the reimagining of our personal space much like Airbnb
of our personal space much like Airbnb
of our personal space much like Airbnb and uber have done for our homes and our
and uber have done for our homes and our
and uber have done for our homes and our cars we know that this will also happen
cars we know that this will also happen
cars we know that this will also happen for our backyards we want to put a home
for our backyards we want to put a home
for our backyards we want to put a home on every residential block in the city
on every residential block in the city
on every residential block in the city when we do this everyone currently
when we do this everyone currently
when we do this everyone currently living on the streets would have a place
living on the streets would have a place
living on the streets would have a place to call home and we’re asking all of you
to call home and we’re asking all of you
to call home and we’re asking all of you here today
here today
here today to consider putting one in your
to consider putting one in your
to consider putting one in your neighborhood now as architects we want
neighborhood now as architects we want
neighborhood now as architects we want these homes to be beautiful and
these homes to be beautiful and
these homes to be beautiful and thoughtfully designed and definitely
thoughtfully designed and definitely
thoughtfully designed and definitely durable and maintenance-free but most
durable and maintenance-free but most
durable and maintenance-free but most importantly we want these to be a
importantly we want these to be a
importantly we want these to be a dignified place to live it is not enough
dignified place to live it is not enough
dignified place to live it is not enough to just offer someone shelter from the
to just offer someone shelter from the
to just offer someone shelter from the elements we need to go beyond that we
elements we need to go beyond that we
elements we need to go beyond that we need to be able to say we believe in you
need to be able to say we believe in you
need to be able to say we believe in you and we want you to succeed the homes are
and we want you to succeed the homes are
and we want you to succeed the homes are 125 square feet and they have within
125 square feet and they have within
125 square feet and they have within this a kitchen a bathroom a bed storage
this a kitchen a bathroom a bed storage
this a kitchen a bathroom a bed storage and a front porch to sit on a covered
and a front porch to sit on a covered
and a front porch to sit on a covered front porch each home makes use of the
front porch each home makes use of the
front porch each home makes use of the latest cutting-edge technology for us to
latest cutting-edge technology for us to
latest cutting-edge technology for us to live sustainably and responsibly on our
live sustainably and responsibly on our
live sustainably and responsibly on our planet our goal is that they’ll all be
planet our goal is that they’ll all be
planet our goal is that they’ll all be living Building Challenge certified
living Building Challenge certified
living Building Challenge certified which is the most rigorous benchmark for
which is the most rigorous benchmark for
which is the most rigorous benchmark for sustainability yeah
[Music]
[Music] in our built environment meaning that
in our built environment meaning that
in our built environment meaning that the systems are going to be completely
the systems are going to be completely
the systems are going to be completely off-grid all of the power comes from
off-grid all of the power comes from
off-grid all of the power comes from solar panels all of the water including
solar panels all of the water including
solar panels all of the water including drinking water comes from roof water
drinking water comes from roof water
drinking water comes from roof water catchment and purification and all of
catchment and purification and all of
catchment and purification and all of the waste water is dealt with on site
the waste water is dealt with on site
the waste water is dealt with on site through a composting toilet and
through a composting toilet and
through a composting toilet and subsurface irrigation for shower and
subsurface irrigation for shower and
subsurface irrigation for shower and sink gray water what this means is that
sink gray water what this means is that
sink gray water what this means is that there’ll be no utility bills coming in
there’ll be no utility bills coming in
there’ll be no utility bills coming in the mail for this home with one of these
the mail for this home with one of these
the mail for this home with one of these on each block in the city acting as
on each block in the city acting as
on each block in the city acting as little learning centers for
little learning centers for
little learning centers for sustainability imagine how this will
sustainability imagine how this will
sustainability imagine how this will transform and educate our city on living
transform and educate our city on living
transform and educate our city on living green and even more importantly though
green and even more importantly though
green and even more importantly though than the building itself is its
than the building itself is its
than the building itself is its connections to the neighbors ending
connections to the neighbors ending
connections to the neighbors ending homelessness is not just about building
homelessness is not just about building
homelessness is not just about building housing as architects we can tell you
housing as architects we can tell you
housing as architects we can tell you that’s the easy part
that’s the easy part
that’s the easy part nor is it about finding compassionate
nor is it about finding compassionate
nor is it about finding compassionate people to step forward there are
people to step forward there are
people to step forward there are compassionate people everywhere
compassionate people everywhere
compassionate people everywhere what this is about is giving
what this is about is giving
what this is about is giving compassionate people a path to step
compassionate people a path to step
compassionate people a path to step forward on we want to share the story of
forward on we want to share the story of
forward on we want to share the story of the first people that stepped up this is
the first people that stepped up this is
the first people that stepped up this is Kim and Dan shortly after they met Bobby
Kim and Dan shortly after they met Bobby
Kim and Dan shortly after they met Bobby back in June Kim and Dan live in the
back in June Kim and Dan live in the
back in June Kim and Dan live in the Beacon Hill neighborhood and Bobby
Beacon Hill neighborhood and Bobby
Beacon Hill neighborhood and Bobby standing in the middle of there has
standing in the middle of there has
standing in the middle of there has lived in Seattle on the streets and in
lived in Seattle on the streets and in
lived in Seattle on the streets and in shelters for ten years and this is Bobby
shelters for ten years and this is Bobby
shelters for ten years and this is Bobby two months ago
two months ago
two months ago having dinner with friends outside of
having dinner with friends outside of
having dinner with friends outside of his home in Kim and Dan’s backyard
so how did this happen for starters the
so how did this happen for starters the number of folks living on the street
number of folks living on the street
number of folks living on the street really troubled Kim and Dan and when
really troubled Kim and Dan and when
really troubled Kim and Dan and when they heard about the block project they
they heard about the block project they
they heard about the block project they saw a way they could make a difference
saw a way they could make a difference
saw a way they could make a difference and they loved how there was a place for
and they loved how there was a place for
and they loved how there was a place for everyone to get involved whether that
everyone to get involved whether that
everyone to get involved whether that was with time skills funds or simply a
was with time skills funds or simply a
was with time skills funds or simply a backyard this is important because many
backyard this is important because many
backyard this is important because many of us want to help we just don’t know
of us want to help we just don’t know
of us want to help we just don’t know how what’s also important to know is
how what’s also important to know is
how what’s also important to know is that Kim and Dan are regular people just
that Kim and Dan are regular people just
that Kim and Dan are regular people just like all of us did they have worries
like all of us did they have worries
like all of us did they have worries when they first look into this project
when they first look into this project
when they first look into this project of course they did
of course they did
of course they did for example they self-identify as
for example they self-identify as
for example they self-identify as introverts and they were worried about
introverts and they were worried about
introverts and they were worried about their privacy but in that very same time
their privacy but in that very same time
their privacy but in that very same time they were motivated to look for
they were motivated to look for
they were motivated to look for solutions there was lots of questions
solutions there was lots of questions
solutions there was lots of questions but Kim and Dan worked closely with
but Kim and Dan worked closely with
but Kim and Dan worked closely with facing homelessness the nonprofit that
facing homelessness the nonprofit that
facing homelessness the nonprofit that now owns and manages the project to find
now owns and manages the project to find
now owns and manages the project to find answers for instance they learned that
answers for instance they learned that
answers for instance they learned that each resident comes with professional
each resident comes with professional
each resident comes with professional services for their specific needs
services for their specific needs
services for their specific needs once they felt comfortable they filled
once they felt comfortable they filled
once they felt comfortable they filled out an application and began the
out an application and began the
out an application and began the matchmaking process and here’s Bobby
matchmaking process and here’s Bobby
matchmaking process and here’s Bobby flying a sign downtown Seattle he’s 75
flying a sign downtown Seattle he’s 75
flying a sign downtown Seattle he’s 75 years old he is First Nation Cree people
years old he is First Nation Cree people
years old he is First Nation Cree people and he’s working with Chief Seattle Club
and he’s working with Chief Seattle Club
and he’s working with Chief Seattle Club to have some of his needs met when Chief
to have some of his needs met when Chief
to have some of his needs met when Chief Seattle Club contact looked into the
Seattle Club contact looked into the
Seattle Club contact looked into the block project through facing
block project through facing
block project through facing homelessness they suggested that Bobby
homelessness they suggested that Bobby
homelessness they suggested that Bobby would be a good fit for the block
would be a good fit for the block
would be a good fit for the block project and for Kim and Dan all of the
project and for Kim and Dan all of the
project and for Kim and Dan all of the agencies involved in this project
agencies involved in this project
agencies involved in this project including Chief Seattle Club the Sophia
including Chief Seattle Club the Sophia
including Chief Seattle Club the Sophia Way community psychiatric clinic and
Way community psychiatric clinic and
Way community psychiatric clinic and Mary’s place all work closely with
Mary’s place all work closely with
Mary’s place all work closely with facing homelessness to free up the host
facing homelessness to free up the host
facing homelessness to free up the host family of any responsibility
family of any responsibility
family of any responsibility coordination and even the landlord
coordination and even the landlord
coordination and even the landlord tenant contract is between facing
tenant contract is between facing
tenant contract is between facing homelessness and the resident so once
homelessness and the resident so once
homelessness and the resident so once all of the information had gone through
all of the information had gone through
all of the information had gone through and the check boxes checked it was time
and the check boxes checked it was time
and the check boxes checked it was time to see if the three of them actually
to see if the three of them actually
to see if the three of them actually were a good fit and what they learned
were a good fit and what they learned
were a good fit and what they learned was that Bobby and Dan both loved to
was that Bobby and Dan both loved to
was that Bobby and Dan both loved to play music and Bobby and Kim are Bobby
play music and Bobby and Kim are Bobby
play music and Bobby and Kim are Bobby Kim really enjoy gardening and would all
Kim really enjoy gardening and would all
Kim really enjoy gardening and would all three
three
three them absolutely and unbelievably love is
them absolutely and unbelievably love is
them absolutely and unbelievably love is cats for these four for these four it
cats for these four for these four it
cats for these four for these four it was love at first sight next Kim and Dan
was love at first sight next Kim and Dan
was love at first sight next Kim and Dan took handouts to all their neighbors on
took handouts to all their neighbors on
took handouts to all their neighbors on the Block explaining their plans to put
the Block explaining their plans to put
the Block explaining their plans to put a block home in their neighborhood and
a block home in their neighborhood and
a block home in their neighborhood and to invite them to an evening gathering
to invite them to an evening gathering
to invite them to an evening gathering at their place to talk about any
at their place to talk about any
at their place to talk about any feelings and concerns this is a really
feelings and concerns this is a really
feelings and concerns this is a really important part of the block project
important part of the block project
important part of the block project process while the homes are completely
process while the homes are completely
process while the homes are completely legal under current zoning we do not
legal under current zoning we do not
legal under current zoning we do not want to put a block home on a block if
want to put a block home on a block if
want to put a block home on a block if even one person is against it this is
even one person is against it this is
even one person is against it this is not about finding housing for people
not about finding housing for people
not about finding housing for people that are currently homeless only to make
that are currently homeless only to make
that are currently homeless only to make people that are in homes feel
people that are in homes feel
people that are in homes feel uncomfortable
uncomfortable
uncomfortable this isn’t about trading comfort this is
this isn’t about trading comfort this is
this isn’t about trading comfort this is about creating healthy loving
about creating healthy loving
about creating healthy loving communities of neighbors and we are
communities of neighbors and we are
communities of neighbors and we are extremely excited to tell you that
extremely excited to tell you that
extremely excited to tell you that everyone on Dan and Camus Block right
everyone on Dan and Camus Block right
everyone on Dan and Camus Block right from the beginning including the
from the beginning including the
from the beginning including the neighbors that are adjacent to the
neighbors that are adjacent to the
neighbors that are adjacent to the backyard Pete here and Scott and his
backyard Pete here and Scott and his
backyard Pete here and Scott and his family were all 100% supportive and
family were all 100% supportive and
family were all 100% supportive and welcoming – Bobby – this block to give
welcoming – Bobby – this block to give
welcoming – Bobby – this block to give you an idea of how involved the larger
you an idea of how involved the larger
you an idea of how involved the larger community has been all of the legal work
community has been all of the legal work
community has been all of the legal work for this project has been donated all of
for this project has been donated all of
for this project has been donated all of the engineering including structural
the engineering including structural
the engineering including structural civil and mechanical has all been
civil and mechanical has all been
civil and mechanical has all been donated all the landscape architectural
donated all the landscape architectural
donated all the landscape architectural design was all donated and almost all of
design was all donated and almost all of
design was all donated and almost all of the actual construction labor was
the actual construction labor was
the actual construction labor was donated this project is community funded
donated this project is community funded
donated this project is community funded community built and community supported
now we all need our connections and our
now we all need our connections and our worth in community for those that are
worth in community for those that are
worth in community for those that are living outside homeless they must
living outside homeless they must
living outside homeless they must transition from being seen as the other
transition from being seen as the other
transition from being seen as the other to a place where they feel they belong
to a place where they feel they belong
to a place where they feel they belong and for all of us living inside whether
and for all of us living inside whether
and for all of us living inside whether it is homes in apartments condos we too
it is homes in apartments condos we too
it is homes in apartments condos we too need our connections we need to feel
need our connections we need to feel
need our connections we need to feel that we belong in this city and that we
that we belong in this city and that we
that we belong in this city and that we live in a city that cares about each
live in a city that cares about each
live in a city that cares about each other this is an important part of the
other this is an important part of the
other this is an important part of the block project and its ability to bring
block project and its ability to bring
block project and its ability to bring people together and to turn strangers
people together and to turn strangers
people together and to turn strangers into friends Sam a neighbor on Bobby’s
into friends Sam a neighbor on Bobby’s
into friends Sam a neighbor on Bobby’s block and I cooked too much lasagna I
block and I cooked too much lasagna I
block and I cooked too much lasagna I can offer extra to him or if it’s
can offer extra to him or if it’s
can offer extra to him or if it’s laundry day for me I may ask him if
laundry day for me I may ask him if
laundry day for me I may ask him if there’s anything he needs washed in turn
there’s anything he needs washed in turn
there’s anything he needs washed in turn he may ask me if there’s anything I’m in
he may ask me if there’s anything I’m in
he may ask me if there’s anything I’m in need of by being neighbors we get to
need of by being neighbors we get to
need of by being neighbors we get to know each other and we can offer what we
know each other and we can offer what we
know each other and we can offer what we have this is important part of this
have this is important part of this
have this is important part of this entire process is the getting to know
entire process is the getting to know
entire process is the getting to know each other because in that moment we can
each other because in that moment we can
each other because in that moment we can offer what we have and we have so many
offer what we have and we have so many
offer what we have and we have so many ideas that we’ve been talking about to
ideas that we’ve been talking about to
ideas that we’ve been talking about to facilitate that one of the ones that
facilitate that one of the ones that
facilitate that one of the ones that we’re very excited about is hooking up
we’re very excited about is hooking up
we’re very excited about is hooking up exercise bikes to each of the Block
exercise bikes to each of the Block
exercise bikes to each of the Block homes battery pack for the solar panels
homes battery pack for the solar panels
homes battery pack for the solar panels so that when neighbors come to visit and
so that when neighbors come to visit and
so that when neighbors come to visit and they chat they can also spin and
they chat they can also spin and
they chat they can also spin and literally
literally
literally [Music]
[Music]
[Music] and literally give their energy to the
and literally give their energy to the
and literally give their energy to the block block residents we’re also working
block block residents we’re also working
block block residents we’re also working on an app that not only connects people
on an app that not only connects people
on an app that not only connects people on the block but residents to residents
on the block but residents to residents
on the block but residents to residents and host families to host families
and host families to host families
and host families to host families making it easy to reach out and take
making it easy to reach out and take
making it easy to reach out and take part everything being done on this
part everything being done on this
part everything being done on this project is driven by the question can
project is driven by the question can
project is driven by the question can this bring neighbors together now we
this bring neighbors together now we
this bring neighbors together now we know on Kim and Dan’s block it has
know on Kim and Dan’s block it has
know on Kim and Dan’s block it has brought neighbors together but really
brought neighbors together but really
brought neighbors together but really can we do this across our entire city
can we do this across our entire city
can we do this across our entire city block by block with Bobby’s home just
block by block with Bobby’s home just
block by block with Bobby’s home just completed I am thrilled to tell you that
completed I am thrilled to tell you that
completed I am thrilled to tell you that we have over 50 families that have
we have over 50 families that have
we have over 50 families that have already stepped forward to say yes yes
already stepped forward to say yes yes
already stepped forward to say yes yes in my back
in my back
in my back [Music]
this is Dave and mashaallah and their
this is Dave and mashaallah and their sweet dog Maria they live in the
sweet dog Maria they live in the
sweet dog Maria they live in the Greenwood neighborhood and said they’re
Greenwood neighborhood and said they’re
Greenwood neighborhood and said they’re fortunate enough to own a home and they
fortunate enough to own a home and they
fortunate enough to own a home and they have a backyard
have a backyard
have a backyard of course they would do this and they’ve
of course they would do this and they’ve
of course they would do this and they’ve invited Cesar who’s lived on the streets
invited Cesar who’s lived on the streets
invited Cesar who’s lived on the streets for five years to come live in their
for five years to come live in their
for five years to come live in their backyard
backyard
backyard [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] and this is Lex and Mariana they live in
and this is Lex and Mariana they live in
and this is Lex and Mariana they live in the crown Hill neighborhood and they are
the crown Hill neighborhood and they are
the crown Hill neighborhood and they are 80 years old and they have invited a
80 years old and they have invited a
80 years old and they have invited a young woman with a newborn that is
young woman with a newborn that is
young woman with a newborn that is currently being seen by Mary’s place to
currently being seen by Mary’s place to
currently being seen by Mary’s place to live in their backyard and this is
live in their backyard and this is
live in their backyard and this is Nathan and Sonia and their two kids sky
Nathan and Sonia and their two kids sky
Nathan and Sonia and their two kids sky and ocean and they’ve said yes yes to
and ocean and they’ve said yes yes to
and ocean and they’ve said yes yes to Shelly Shelly who will tell you himself
Shelly Shelly who will tell you himself
Shelly Shelly who will tell you himself that he is 64 years young and I can tell
that he is 64 years young and I can tell
that he is 64 years young and I can tell you that he is maybe the sweetest man
you that he is maybe the sweetest man
you that he is maybe the sweetest man I’ve ever met and what we know about him
I’ve ever met and what we know about him
I’ve ever met and what we know about him is that community is the most important
is that community is the most important
is that community is the most important thing for him and that this family
thing for him and that this family
thing for him and that this family already makes him feel like he belongs
already makes him feel like he belongs
already makes him feel like he belongs when we were standing on their front
when we were standing on their front
when we were standing on their front porch getting ready for all of them to
porch getting ready for all of them to
porch getting ready for all of them to meet for the first time I looked over at
meet for the first time I looked over at
meet for the first time I looked over at Shelly and I was wondering about all the
Shelly and I was wondering about all the
Shelly and I was wondering about all the questions that must be running through
questions that must be running through
questions that must be running through his head such as the very basic one will
his head such as the very basic one will
his head such as the very basic one will they like me and in that very moment the
they like me and in that very moment the
they like me and in that very moment the door swung wide open and Skye with her
door swung wide open and Skye with her
door swung wide open and Skye with her beautiful smile said hello welcome come
beautiful smile said hello welcome come
beautiful smile said hello welcome come in this is the block project and what
in this is the block project and what
in this is the block project and what it’s doing it is welcoming us all in for
it’s doing it is welcoming us all in for
it’s doing it is welcoming us all in for the last seven years I have been taking
the last seven years I have been taking
the last seven years I have been taking pictures and listening to the life
pictures and listening to the life
pictures and listening to the life stories of people that are homeless and
stories of people that are homeless and
stories of people that are homeless and I can tell you that what has been woven
I can tell you that what has been woven
I can tell you that what has been woven through every single one of those
through every single one of those
through every single one of those exchanges is the need to belong to
exchanges is the need to belong to
exchanges is the need to belong to simply belong three months ago my
simply belong three months ago my
simply belong three months ago my husband Josh and I brought these two
husband Josh and I brought these two
husband Josh and I brought these two beautiful boys into the world
beautiful boys into the world
beautiful boys into the world [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] in the thirty years between my father
in the thirty years between my father
in the thirty years between my father and myself homelessness has become a
and myself homelessness has become a
and myself homelessness has become a crisis and now with another 30 years
crisis and now with another 30 years
crisis and now with another 30 years between myself and my children I hope
between myself and my children I hope
between myself and my children I hope our hope is that my kids will be able to
our hope is that my kids will be able to
our hope is that my kids will be able to grow up and look back and say that
grow up and look back and say that
grow up and look back and say that homelessness is no longer an issue
homelessness is no longer an issue
homelessness is no longer an issue because they live in a city that cares
because they live in a city that cares
because they live in a city that cares to make change happen when changes
to make change happen when changes
to make change happen when changes needed thank you
”
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