Day 18: Teach a man to fish...

I work and live in Seattle, and so the problem of homelessness is a constant one that I see, nearly on a day to day basis.  Sitting in my car at a red light, with the man holding a cardboard sign asking for any spare change that I might have.  It confuses me, makes me feel uncomfortable, and I often think "Why can't you get a job?  Surely McDonald's is hiring."  Totally an unfair statement, and definitely showing my naivety at thinking how simple the problem of homelessness is, when in truth it is so complex. 

"While there are many specific factors that lead to a person losing their home - mental illness, chemical dependency, domestic violence, a sudden financial hardship - the underlying factor of all these is the lack of a connection to a supportive community."  I take for granted that I have a supportive community, but what a blessing to have a caring husband, loving parents and in-laws, sisters, friends, church...the list goes on and on.  A supportive community is so necessary to pick you up when you are down, to walk with you during the rough times, and to cheer you on in the good times.  

FareStart is a beautiful organization that is providing homeless men, women, and youth, a supportive community.  Dignity.  Skills to obtain a job and to keep it.  Skills to lift these men and women out of a rough spot, and back on their own two feet.  FareStart's Mission: provide a community that transforms lives by empowering homeless and disadvantaged men, women, and families to achieve self-sufficiency through life skills, job training and employment in the food service industry. "Teaching a man to fish and feeding him for a lifetime." 

FareStart is a comprehensive 16-week program, with hands-on food-service training with classroom instruction, individual case management and job placement services. They work in the kitchen at FareStart's restaurant, serving lunch 5 days a week, and each Thursday night for dinner.  The Thursday night dinner is "Guest Chef Night" which allows the students the opportunity to cook with some of the top chefs in the city.  All proceeds from the meals served goes directly back to support the job training and placement programs.  

"It is critical for FareStart to restore a student's connection to their community, or provide that community if one never existed.  By doing so, we support our students as they gain the skills and training necessary to build new futures for themselves and to achieve their goals of self-sustainability, employment, and ultimately, ending their personal cycle of homelessness."


Information for this blog was found at FareStart's website.

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