02/22/2024
Went on a nice long walk with Idgie today and when I hit this stretch I was overwhelmed with memories of doing homeless outreach in this area. Most of the folks that had to call this outdoor space home have moved on, not because they were housed or found a better situation but because they were forced out. In fact I remember when this now bare hill was covered with trees and underbrush and there were a few folks using their shelter to sleep for a few days. We were told to ask them to leave because there had been “complaints”… when we arrived they were already bulldozing the area and people were still sheltered in the trees that were falling around them. We got the bulldozers to stop (the workers were actually great and thought the area was clear), talked to our friends and convinced them to relocate.
Every time I see this bare hill it reminds me just how far we have to go to better serve those who need it most. It reminds me that we still live in a place where river walks matter more than people. I look forward to the day where we do better.
