I choose to sleep outside for one night during Gimme Shelter because homelessness is more than a statistic, a social issue, or a problem for someone else to solve. It is about people. People with stories, families, dreams, struggles, and hopes for a better tomorrow. People who deserve dignity, compassion, support, and, above all, a place to call home.

Throughout my career as a social worker and in my role as COO of Phoenix Community Development Services, I have had the privilege of working alongside individuals experiencing homelessness, many of whom are also navigating serious behavioral health conditions. I have seen firsthand the barriers people face, the trauma they carry, and the incredible resilience they demonstrate. I have also seen what becomes possible when someone is met with compassion instead of judgment, given an opportunity instead of another barrier, and provided with the stability of a safe place to call home.

My belief has always been that housing is a human right. Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to rebuild their life. A mental health diagnosis, substance use disorder, financial hardship, or circumstances beyond someone's control should never determine whether they deserve a home.

Sleeping outside for one night is a small gesture compared to what thousands of individuals experience every day, but it is an opportunity to stand alongside those who don't have the choice to go inside at the end of the night. More importantly, it is an opportunity to turn awareness into action and raise funds that make a real difference in the fight to end homelessness in Central Illinois.

I participate because I believe our community can do better, because I believe every person has value, and because I know that having a home can be the beginning of changing someone's life.

My hope is that one day, events like Gimme Shelter will no longer be necessary because homelessness is no longer a reality for our neighbors. Until then, I'll keep showing up, advocating, and doing my part.

Thank you for supporting this mission and helping make a place to call home possible for everyone.