Armed with a stack of magazines, Loretta was ready to tackle the magazine rack market. Hand-built out of wood, each rack holds around a dozen magazines. Buyers can deposit money into a slot for vendors to pick up later. Local businesses agree to host each rack as part of participating in the community. Loretta had [...]
Archive | Personal RSS feed for this section
Trying To See Beyond Today
I have fear that the government shutdown would impact the least of us more. That which some see as entitlement, I have to view as assistance with survival. I'm a part of the homeless community and I fight to keep my head above water.
Give a Sleeping Bag This Winter
Most of us have a sleeping bag in our house, right? Mine sits comfortably in my closet. I use it about once a month–which is actually above average usage for a sleeping bag owner. Imagine there being a need for that simple thing in your closet.
"Currently Housed Homeless"
One morning while waiting for the Lynx to take me to the now defunct Reid’s Fine Foods for some ice cream, I noticed a young man trying to get my attention from across the rails. To the trained eye (or maybe I should say, the concerned eye) he had the telltale signs of homelessness. Worn shoes. Rumpled, slept-in clothing.
Give Me Your Eyes
I just finished watching the movie Leap Year, a cute story of a woman named Anna who goes to Ireland to propose to her rich boyfriend but falls in love with a poor, down-to-earth Irish lad who loves her unconditionally. In this quest, she realizes her complete materialism, and realizes that all she really wants [...]
The Gift of Love
My involvement with Speak Up Magazine may have just begun, but it certainly has been characterized by countless lessons learned and unforgettable experiences.
We're the Same
After spending most of my life doing the opposite, I now stop the car when I see homeless people. I was driving through Charlotte having just dropped off a friend. Shortly before I let him out of the car, I asked, "What do homeless people need?" (He's qualified to answer this because he and his [...]
We are only asked to love…
This is a guest post from Mason Murchison. There is a quote that I read about two years ago and it has never left me. Even more so, this quote challenges me in a different way every time I read it. I read it again today. It comes from a story written about a girl [...]
It Is Not Too Difficult
This is a guest post From Lauren Lienhard. I love sitting out on my little apartment porch…I have some petunias and violets and there are lovely trees that soften the view of the garbage dump across the street. Sitting here this morning, there is a gentle breeze in the air. Quietly, I open my bible and [...]
Learn About Speak Up
