Free Tickets

I was reading last Thursday about “Santa Barbara’s Fifth Annual Homeless Foot Washing,” and was so touched by how Erin Yarbrough wrote, “It was clear that the homeless are just like everyone else – people with cares, needs, and a desire to connect with others.”

I wanted to write, right then and there, to all who read the Independent and care for people who are just like ourselves, but have no home and are in slightly more dire situations. I want everybody to know that while their situation seems so hopeless, and sometimes even menacing to those who innocently want to shop or stay at a hotel in Santa Barbara without the inconvenience of seeing a dirty smelly person – remember that we are like them. I want us to care about these people.

There is room for hope here, and I would like to inform you that a few of us who volunteer on the streets with Worth Street Reach are putting together an exciting, hope-filled event this Thursday, called STREET FEAT! It’s at 7 p.m., April 12, at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, and we will present two speakers. Click here for FREE tickets!

Eileen Richardson of Palo Alto will be sharing about her successful techniques for creating jobs for the homeless population in her city, techniques which have been adopted by six other cities! Richard LeMieux, author of Breakfast at Sally’s, will be speaking about how he ended up on the streets and then, through a chance to work, was able to rise up out of homelessness. His book is becoming a movie soon!

If we want to have hope in this seemingly hopeless situation and be effective for change, let’s come listen to what others have accomplished! There is such worth in every person; let’s come together and brainstorm some ways to make a difference!