This week God brought us…”Tammy” who came to our front desk stating “I need emergency services.” She had a small dog on a leash, wearing an “support animal” vest. Tammy’s face bore the unmistakable features of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This challenge was mirrored in her halting speech and characteristic “flat affect” in expression. Unfortunately, the dog was reacting to all of the new stimulus in our lobby and barking loudly. Tammy made few attempts to quiet or control the dog

This week God brought us…”Jessie”, who arrived at the door without shoes. He set a few belongings down in the entryway and then came in to ask for clothing, especially shoes. We had a regular volunteer in the building that afternoon helping to sort through the many donations we receive. She asked him what items and what sizes he needed and then went to check our supplies. While she looked, Jessie wandered around the building. It quickly became apparent that Jessie was un

This week God brought us... ”Lena”, with a complex situation that illustrates how easy it is to slip into poverty. Lena came to the U.S. four years ago from Ukraine after the Russian invasion. She has Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and a work authorization permit. Her English was good for someone who’d been speaking it for only a few years. She went to lengths to explain that she had not accessed public benefits after her first months in the U.S., that she worked two jobs a