Empowering People Is Fun - Hearts Of Fire Project
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Empowering People Is Fun

img_0566We just completed an incredible three days at Sacramento Loaves and Fishes! Wow, what an amazing group of people they have there. I was very inspired by the participants, by the staff and by Sister Libby, the head honcho of unconditional love that runs the place.

Our first day, we worked with some great kids and their parents at Family Promise of Sacramento. As is most of operations on the Loaves and Fishes grounds, Family Promise is located in an old galvanized steel warehouse which has been retrofitted inside. Everyone had a blast. We interviewed some incredible children that I know you will fall in love with when you see them on video (soon).

The next day, we held an art workshop with the adults at Sacramento Loaves and Fishes. We used the beautiful library for the workshop and it was really great. We also interviewed several of the participants and I can’t wait to see those on video.

img_0601Dan turned out to not only be a great artist but also an accomplished Taiwanese stick juggler! And we got that on video too, with glow sticks yet. When we were leaving, he stopped by to show me some of his art that he retrieved from a storage locker. Although he served his debt to society many years ago, he is still being punished and is homeless has a result.

img_0600From Slim and Sister Libby, we learned a lot about Safe Ground, a grass roots effort to find a safe place for homeless people to sleep. After the police kept running them off and confiscating their property repeatedly, the homeless people organized themselves and are working for justice. A very courageous and determined group that is breaking new ground the hard way. I urge everyone to read their story and help support their cause.

We liked it so much there, that we stayed an extra day talking with people in Friendship Park, a private park that Loaves and Fishes carved out of an industrial waste land. Everyone is welcome there from 7AM to 3PM. img_0604Showers, a hot lunch and storage lockers are available for everyone. In addition, several other organizations have taken up residence in the Loaves and Fishes complex including substance abuse recovery programs, a food bank, a small woman’s shelter and a school where kids in transitional housing can keep learning.

Tomorrow, we visit the last shelter on our tour, Compass Family Services of San Francisco. They serve thousands of homeless families each year and we are expecting a large turnout – maybe our largest one yet!

After the workshop, we are heading straight to Santa Barbara to prepare for the World Homeless Day event on Sunday, Oct. 10. From 10AM to 1PM at Pershing Park, we will be creating art, performing live music and eating some good food. Special guests are expected too, including local government officials. I even heard a rumor that the elusive, globe-trotter Mark Hovarth from Invisible People may speak. I am really looking forward to the tour’s fabulous finale!



2 Responses to “Empowering People Is Fun”

  1. Rev. Cynthia says:

    Bob, am so delighted that you got to spend time w/ the “Safe Ground” folks. Its wonderful to be able to live vicariously through your amazing World Homeless Day Tour, touching the hearts of others (& visa versa) as you go.

    So wish we could have spirited you to San Luis Obispo for 10/10/10 – maybe next year! I’ll be interested to hear more about the event in Santa Barbara – please post photos.

  2. Kenyon says:

    Wow, Bob and Gayle: You guys are such an inspiration. I love the idea of helping more folks at a time. My practice is family by family, person by person. Seems slow. Great adventures!! Love and blessings on your way. Kenyon

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