Not everyone gets unemployment when they lose their job or are underemployed. Not everyone has stable family members to extend a hand and ensure they will never be homeless. The salary range requirement to qualify for affordable housing in Santa Monica is more than the median income of Angelenos - meaning you can't make a solid adult salary and qualify - and yet most people don't make enough money to qualify either.

I didn't see a single person living in a tent in Cuba three years ago.  I passed many by the Veteran's park in Brentwood recently, and have seen the increase in Santa Monica and Hollywood, where I used to live.  And sadly, in my hometown in Winston-Salem, NC  - 1 in 4 women live in poverty, 1 in 5, men. What?!?!?  Minimum wage is $7.25 / hour there...sigh...

The topic of homelessness is a long conversation, but we all understand how if we don't have our home base situated, it's hard to feel stable or confident, to grow, to be our best selves - and contribute to the community.  People need some fundamental basics..and then a sense of purpose, focus and part of something bigger than themselves, to be happy. This fundraiser walk is an opportunity for you and me to smile bigger and be an active part of a solution for many people.  Come May 18th - and prior to - I look forward to looking people in the eyes and smiling at all those I see... and not just walking on by.  And to raising money for The United Way to continue the concrete work they've been commited to for a very long time.