At a time when public dialog so typically highlights division and drama, I proceed to witness one thing very completely different right here in Seattle: folks from throughout our metropolis coming collectively to take care of neighbors who’re struggling on our streets.
Day by day of the yr I see volunteers, beneficiant donors and on a regular basis residents of goodwill exhibiting up with compassion — providing issues like friendship, sizzling meals, emergency shelter and housing assist, together with chaplaincy, case administration and free medical care. These gestures change lives. They remind us of who we’re once we select to deal with each other with dignity.
There are lots of great organizations that assist create areas the place this sort of care can occur. Highly effective, life-affirming work is being performed by neighborhood members who refuse to look away — refuse to deal with folks like issues to be solved — and as a substitute step ahead with love. Their dedication offers me hope.
There may be great things occurring in Seattle, even amid the struggling. Let’s preserve noticing the nice that’s already unfolding — and preserve discovering methods to hitch in. At our group we prefer to say that “we transfer on the tempo of the neighborhood’s love of neighbor.”
Deacon Frank DiGirolamo, government director, Operation Nightwatch, Seattle
