Stories
Creative soul
On December 20th, I had a bunch of gift-wrapped sketchbooks and pencils from Nikki to give out to people we work with at the Kensington Storefront & Prevention Point. I had a few left and was kind of picky about who I gave them out to - I wanted artists and creative...
read moreDidn’t want to wake up
Yesterday one of my friends in Kensington told me that he tried to kill himself the other day. He purposely did more heroin than he usually does because he "didn't want to wake up." Someone found him, gave him narcan and did CPR on him (and broke some ribs). He said...
read moreJordan
Rest in peace,...
read moreArtist
B had over four years in recovery, relapsed in May and made his way to Kensington. He had been to meetings at the Last Stop when he was in recovery, and knew he could go there when he was ready to be done using. He’s been there for about a month. I collected colored...
read moreHold space
In the midst of chaos, the Kensington Storefront is a sanctuary. Everyone is welcome to make art with us, or just come in and find some peace. Have a sandwich, some cookies, hot chocolate or tea. Or maybe just hold space for someone who needs...
read moreYou can do it
A is feeling really down these days, having just lost his mom. He said that he wanted to die. J heard him and said, “I was in your spot last year. You can ask these ladies. I was on the streets and living out of my backpack and I had a heroin habit big enough to feed...
read moreHeartbreak
As I was driving to work down Kensington Avenue from Castor to Somerset yesterday, I was thankful that I am continually heartbroken over what I see in Kensington. The alternative is...
read moreThe cold winter ahead
It was a good day at the Kensington...
read moreI came today to say thank you
Love this and the Kensington...
read moreCommunity and belonging
We see all kinds of sadness and despair at the Kensington Storefront, but we also see big time hope and COMMUNITY. One of our friends who has been homeless for a while decided today was the day he was going to detox. He hung around all day, got his stuff together and...
read moreLoving on the people who need it most
When I drive to work in Kensington, I drive through some of the streets I walked when I was growing up. I pass kids going to school and adults heading to work. I see grandmoms sweeping their sidewalks. I watch groups hand out food to people in need. I see people...
read moreOverdose Awareness Day
Today we chose purple yarn for our wrists to mark Overdose Awareness Day. After weaving blessing vessels, we heard stories about how our friends in class were saved from overdoses, how they lost people they love, and, best of all, how grateful they are to be here...
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