I ended up raising myself

 Hunter was born in Seattle. At a very young age he moved to Anacortes with his mom when his parents divorced. She died when he was six years old. There are a few beautiful memories, like going to the tulip fields in Mt. Vernon. He still thinks about her everyday.

When Hunter’s mom passed, he was sent to live with his father in Seattle. It was hard for him because he barely knew his dad. He had also remarried and his step-mom wanted nothing to do with him. After two years she said, “Make a decision, it’s the kid or me.”

At eight years old Hunter went into the Foster Care System. He never was adopted out, spending 10 years in group homes. I asked how that was for him. He said, “It wasn’t horrible, I didn’t get beat or raped. That was happening all the time to others. There was this understanding that they had some right to put their hands on you. I’m grateful it didn’t happen to me.”

Today while walking down a side street in South Lake Union, next to an abandoned building, I met a man outside of his truck. In the first few minutes of conversation he unloaded about his anger towards the homeless. His truck had been broken into and he was pissed, sure that it was some lazy homeless crackhead punk that did it.

I asked why he thought it was someone homeless. He said, “I know it was the homeless cuz they are too lazy to work.” I replied, “Just calling everyone that is homeless ‘lazy’ doesn’t seem to be an accurate or fair explanation on homelessness. What about trauma, how does that fit into it?” He answered, “Yeah, that might be the case for a few, but most are just lazy.” My wife tugged gently on my arm, she already could see the conversation wasn’t going anywhere.

Hunter’s life told in three paragraphs is the life story that is told over and over again from people experiencing homelessness. The details are different but the result of being knocked off your path is the same. Nobody chooses a path towards homelessness, it finds them through horrible circumstances, often beginning in childhood. Laziness has nothing to do with it.

Hunter went through a High School Completion Program at Shoreline Community College to get his High School Diploma. He wants to do something with his life, specifically he wants to help people. He’s a good person. He says, “I feel best when I am helping others, it gives me a good feeling about myself and what I can do.”

Hunter is also addicted to fentanyl. Those little blue pills that are now everywhere. He started smoking weed at 16 and then moved to stronger drugs. It was a way for him to cope. Now he hates it, saying, “Whoever invented those pills should be taken away. It is ruining people’s lives.”

Right now Hunter is sleeping outside with a wet sleeping bag. “I’m basically freezing every night, trying to stay warm.” He’s not alone. This time of year, when fall has turned to the winter cold and wet, so many get caught without adequate shelter.

If you can, please donate tents to Facing Homelessness. We are hoping to get Hunter a 6-8 person tent. To give him a place out of the rain and a place for his things. If you want to send Hunter a card or letter of encouragement, that too I am sure would be appreciated.

Please send to: Facing Homelessness 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98105. If you have questions, contact Rex 206-330-1142 or karina@facinghomelessness.org. If you want to send specifically for Hunter, please include ℅ Hunter.

The need for tents this time of year is great.

A heartfelt THANKS in advance. LOVE.