Why Listening Matters…

As an advocate for homelessness, I wanted to share a powerful story that I recently came across in the New York Times. The article, written by Tracy Kidder, is about a doctor named Jim O'Connell, who has dedicated his life to caring for the homeless population in Boston. What makes his approach unique is his commitment to listening to the stories of the people he serves.

Dr. O'Connell knows that the root of homelessness is often a complex set of circumstances, including trauma, mental illness, and addiction. He understands that the best way to help people is to first listen to their stories with compassion and without judgment.

In the article, Dr. O'Connell says, "We need to build a relationship with people, because we know that relationships are the essence of healing." I couldn't agree more. It's crucial to see people experiencing homelessness as individuals with their own unique stories and experiences.

That's why I'm reaching out to you today. Listening is one of the most important things we can do as advocates for homelessness. It allows us to understand the unique challenges that people face and work together to find solutions.

So let's make a commitment to listen to the stories of people experiencing homelessness. Let's build relationships and work toward lasting change. Together, we can create a world where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Josiah Haken