Yaël's Solidarity Sleepout for Shalom

Dear friends, 

On April 26 I am sleeping outside in solidarity with the Shalom Center (www.shalomcommunitycenter.org), which provides daytime services for those experiencing homelessness, and is seeking to expand its capacity to lodge folks at A Friend's Place.  Homelessness is a concern that is close to my heart, because I so cherish having a home, and realize how close we all come to not having one.  So many of us are just an illness, a divorce, a layoff, or that third drink away.  And we're even closer when we don't have family support or we identify as part of a group that has been historically overlooked and underserved.  

The places I've called home have ranged from a hotel room in Seoul to a log cabin on a sheep farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Bloomington home on the edge of the woods that I share with my children now.  Although none of these homes has boasted marble columns or dumbwaiters, they've all been luxurious.  

How so, you may ask? 

Whether a rented room, or a house I've been fortunate enough to purchase, having a place to come home to has meant that I have had the luxury of privacy.  A place where I am not observed or judged.  Where I can be safe.  Where the only people around are the ones I've invited in.  Where I can sing and dance.  Where I can have peace and quiet.  Where I can cook something I want to eat, and not eat on schedule.  Where I can move the furniture and the paintings around the way I like them.  Where I can do projects and leave them out till the next day.  Where I can sleep in my own bed, and dream. 

I imagine you feel the same about your place, but may have never considered that a luxury.  Today is a chance to think about that for a minute, and help a few folks get closer to that luxurious reality.  If we can help fund a few more nights for a few more people, they might be able to rest up enough to think about tomorrow.  

Love you,

Yael