Peggy's new smile changed her life
Peggy Sewell’s transformation started with a cosmetic change — through Obamacare, she was able to refurbish her smile, damaged by years of meth use. For the first time in years, she was able to smile without feeling self-conscious. Her new pearly whites inspired her to look inward and to heal what was bruised in her…
Read MoreSamuel's new home inspires hope
Samuel Sneed, a Friendship Park guest, just moved into a six bedroom apartment on March 21 in North Sacramento which he shares with roommates. The apartment is operated by Sacramento Self Help Housing. Samuel speaks elegantly about God, love and the inhumanity of homelessness. His dream is to use his words to preach. Originally from…
Read MoreDonald Lewis: Bike renovator, handyman and Loaves & Fishes volunteer
Donald Lewis delights in bringing new life to objects that are in disrepair. He volunteers at Friendship Park on Wednesday and Friday, the Loaves & Fishes maintenance shed on Tuesday and Thursday and then Tuesday and Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon at the Bicycle Kitchen. Donald has refurbished his 1970’s era, 9 foot chopper cruiser…
Read MoreGimme Shelter
Wally's 74th birthday heralds a reunion
On March 21st, 2017, Wally Stoves, a regular at Friendship Park, turned 74 years old. His former coworkers, Andy Smillick and Bob Taylor came to the park to celebrate his birthday with a cake in tow. Wally has been experiencing homelessness for the past 25 years and this was the first time they connected since…
Read MoreStark Contrast – Which city is better served by its columnist?
I am so saddened by the lack of compassion in Marcos Breton’s Sunday column: The price downtown Sacramento is paying for Mayor Steinberg’s homeless crusade Contrast it with Steve Lopez’s column in the Los Angeles Times a day later: A true L.A. hero: For people dying on L.A. streets, he offers help, and he won’t take no…
Read MorePhotography and the Looking-Glass Self
Collectively, we know them as “the homeless.” Most of us never speak to them and avoid making eye contact. -Cynthia Hubert, Sacramento Bee The looking-glass self is a social psychological concept that states a person’s self grows out of society’s interpersonal interactions and the perceptions of others. In other words, how we see ourselves does not…
Read MoreHope for Homeless in Sacramento?
At 6:00 pm on January 31st, 2017, the Sacramento City Council and County Board of Supervisors met in a joint meeting in downtown Sacramento. This was the first time that these two groups had come together in over 20 years; the issue that finally brought them together: homelessness. Over 400 concerned citizens attended the meeting, approximately 100…
Read MoreSecond Saturday Puppy Love
Puppy love. That’s what this story is about. Puppy love, the kind that I speak of, is pretty simple: it is the intense bonds that exist between dogs and their homeless owners. For many homeless, dogs provide the unconditional love, support and even therapy needed to cope with the hardships of life on the streets.…
Read MoreMustard Seed School
Each month, thousands of students throughout the Sacramento region experience homelessness. Mustard Seed School, a program of Loaves & Fishes, is a free private school for children ages 3-15 years-old who are currently homeless. Mustard Seed School provides a safe space for children while their parents access other services on the Loaves & Fishes campus.…
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