FACING HOMELESSNESS
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : d*********t@f****************s.o*g
Mission Statement
To inspire deliberate relationship building and community engagement as a pathway to ending homelessness
About This Cause
“Just say hello.” This statement is core to Facing Homelessness’ history, mission, and work. In 2010, our founder made it a priority to say hello to those experiencing homelessness in Seattle, inviting folks into his architecture office for conversation, shelter, and connection. He knew the great power of proximity and openness that humanizes and breaks down negative stereotypes of homelessness. He knew it was critical to share the impact of saying hello, leading to the founding of Facing Homelessness in 2013. Facing Homelessness (FH) believes that we can and will end homelessness when we inspire and engage community members to be a part of the solution. We established a variety of programs, partnerships, and services that invite all of us to come closer, and to contribute our unique passions and skills toward the effort of ending homelessness. PHOTOS + STORIES We tell stories and share photos of people who are experiencing homelessness with the simple purpose of showing the beauty in each person. For those living inside, this serves as a soft entry to the issue of homelessness. It is a small step toward overcoming the barriers of negative stereotypes and fear. For those living outside, it is a first step toward overcoming feelings of being invisible. It creates a connection to community and resources. Please join the 50,000 people who follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and help create the community you want to live in. THE WINDOW OF KINDNESS The Window of Kindness is a physical place of connection between community members and people experiencing homelessness. The healing power of listening and connecting extends to everyone who participates. At the window, our volunteers hand out thousands of socks, gloves, snacks, sleeping bags, and other supplies essential to staying dry and warm. But people often come for a cup of hot chocolate, conversation, and a listening ear. Everything we give is a vehicle for kindness and human connection. Every connection is a reminder that we all live better when we feel loved. THE BLOCK PROJECT We build homes for those living on the streets, and we take a bold stand: We will never end homelessness through housing alone. A new approach is needed, one that acknowledges that relationships are the building blocks for healing our communities and that we can no longer see those who are homeless as ‘other’. This bold new model invites all of us to step forward with our own abilities to create societal change. To learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved, please visit our BLOCK Project site. The BLOCK Project’s approach to the issue of homelessness is: INTEGRATED | By building homes for those experiencing homelessness in residential backyards, the BLOCK Project fosters cross-class integration and social inclusion. SUSTAINABLE | BLOCK Homes are designed to achieve the highest standard for sustainability in the built environment (Living Building Challenge). SUPPORTED | We create an intentional network of support for each resident, including professional social services, thoughtfully matched hosts, and engaged neighbors. AFFORDABLE | The BLOCK Project makes use of the free, available property and leverages the community’s desire to get involved to dramatically reduce the cost of housing. DIGNIFIED | BLOCK Homes are permanent, sophisticated dwelling units designed to provide stability for residents as they define and achieve success. COMPANIONSHIP PROGRAM Companionship operates from the core belief that healing does not happen in isolation, but in relationship and in community. Companionship supports self determination and acknowledges, honors, and affirms the inherent worth of each human being through supportive relationships grounded in mutuality. Companionship does not seek to “fix” or “save” anyone, but rather honors and respects someone exactly where they are at. The Companionship Program is one part of the support network within the BLOCK Project that we hope to cultivate, nourish, and grow. This is a volunteer program that brings together members from our housed community and members of our BLOCK Home community who want to connect and build relationships with one another. If you are interested in participating in this program, you would be connected with a companion volunteer to meet up on a regular basis (either by phone, video chat, or in person).