HEAR US: Voice & Visibility for Homeless Kids

31/10/2024

Just finished addressing a class of educators at my alma mater, University of St. Francis in Joliet on the issue of family and youth homelessness. I wove in because it’s a perfect fit.

Now to get back to my little T3 camper and grab some zzzzzs. Up early to head into Chicago for a Fox interview on Bridge Communities, Inc. Sleep Out Saturday event. Melissa Agunloye and I will be there. Keynote!

Is this the original doorbell??!!

24/10/2024

With all my attention on I kinda forget that I've made dozens and dozens of short videos featuring families sharing about their homelessness.

I just re-watched this one, and I'd say it's the best 8 minutes you can spend today. I didn't count how many different states were represented in this film, but it's a bunch.

Courageous parents and kids! In 8-minutes you'll grasp why family homelessness is so awful. This new HEAR US video was screened at a congressional hearing on...

24/10/2024

Hey, Jeff Bezos! Don't mess with me! I ordered OUR book on Sept. 1, the1st day it was available. It was delivered Oct. 19. What do you have against family homelessness?

Have others had a similar problem?

Anyone wanting to help us get the book marketed, please feel free to leave a book review.

The Three Melissas: The Practical Guide to Surviving Family Homelessness

22/10/2024

Thanks to Flint Hills Books, Riverbank Brewing, and all who came out tonight for our book talk! What an engaging conversation with enlightened people! School staff from these rural communities are working hard to serve students with and without places to live. They all left with a copy of our book and a better sense of the issue of family homelessness.

20/10/2024

I'm in KS now, but in a week I'll be headed to IL for a slew of presentations!

I'd love to see you at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Aurora/Illinois, Oct. 29, Justice and Peace room, 6:30.

If you're near DeKalb, we'll be doing a presentation at the DeKalb Public Library on Nov. 3 (11 am, free). The next morning at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb (10 am, free).

I'll scoot over to Bridge Communities, Inc. Sleep Out Saturday kick off at COD Saturday night, Nov. 2, 6:30 pm.

And I've got a couple gigs at University of St. Francis, Oct. 30 and Nov. 5.

Phew! Hope the weather is kind!

This article explains what these efforts are all about.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that punishing homeless people for sleeping on public property does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, reality for those experiencing homelessness got much tougher. In an effort to highlight a significant a...

20/10/2024

Ms. Magazine covering our book/project! Give this some love!

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that punishing homeless people for sleeping on public property does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, reality for those experiencing homelessness got much tougher. In an effort to highlight a significant a...

15/10/2024

Ooops! My admin assistant (me) didn't notice this significant typo on this flyer about next week's Lawrence, KS, book talk. Here's the corrected flyer. Now you can safely circulate! Would love to see a good crowd!

13/10/2024

Off and rolling at sunrise. Gotta take the long way around but better safe than sorry. Nice day for travel! I’m all loaded with the books and more! KS here I come!

12/10/2024

I guess I'm ready to go. Sure would have liked to get better route info. I know some roads are bad, but NC, TN, VA lack any user-friendly road condition reports. Or so I seem to think based on my humble efforts. So I'll go the long, safe way.

Heading to KS, with 2 book gigs--one in Council Grove hosted by Flint Hills Books at Riverbank Brewing on Oct. 21. Other one at the Lawrence Public Library on Oct. 23. I'll post the flyers below.

This will be my first book gig where I'll connect with one of our ! Melissa Thurner here I come!

11/10/2024

I'm scrambling! Trying to get word out to my next destinations! As you can see, I'll be sharing the "stage" with Melissa Thurner! She's a hoot! And we'll have a grand time inspiring and informing audiences. Help us spread the word!

04/10/2024

Upcoming events. Our book tour is getting real, like multi state! So please share this so your friends of friends can know we’re coming!

03/10/2024

The speed of time makes me realize that Oct. 29th will be here before I know it! Our book tour has a bunch of events in the Fox Valley area! Including this one in Aurora-Naperville.

Would love to see you! And would be happy if you get word out!

If I'm lucky, I'll have Melissa Agunloye with me!

03/10/2024

Our next event--next Tuesday night, 10/7, in Greensboro at Scuppernong Books! Get the word out! Join us!

Welcome to our new website! We're excited to see you. *** RETURNING USERS WILL NEED TO RESET THEIR PASSWORD FOR THIS NEW SITE. CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD.*** Close this alert

02/10/2024

It's a 2-paw Keeper day. And the 95% humidity in my house is now being reduced by my dehumidifier that's running because of the generator.

I have electricity and wifi for just a bit. Now to make good use of it! Any bulk book orders? I can process them now!

01/10/2024

Life is too short to be doom-gloom all the time!

Here are a couple of pics I took way back in the middle of Sept. in Raleigh at Pullen MBC, where we held a event. We needed a doorstop. Mary Haskett stepped up, literally! She does what it takes to solve problems!

Right now she's serving as a Red Cross volunteer somewhere in the Hurricane Helene disaster areas. Yay, Mary!

29/09/2024

Here's the latest while I have internet. We're grateful that the storm's damage did not include humans and structures in our world. From what I saw yesterday when I was able to get out (thanks to enormous effort by my sis and BIL) to Bookmarks book fair in Winston-Salem, damage is extensive in this part of NC.

Diana and I had a good time at the book fair! And we sold a good number of books, and spoke to lots of good hearted people.

Back here in western NC, if my sis/BIL's generator is working, I'll have water and internet. If not, it's bottled water and no internet. Good that my 20 years of T1 and T2 travel prepared me for living without the basics! No electricity, so power management is essential. Again, I've got a PhD in power management, so I'm OK there.

Food--between my basic vittles and my sis/BIL's supply, we're good. Coffee supply is solid. Internet, while their generator is singing I have internet.

Lots of people are struggling to get through this weird storm. Who knew it was going to knock out the western part of NC like it did (and other areas, too, but I have seen very little news). Those without housing and lacking resources are even more challenged. Last I heard, Hospitality House Northwest NC was going to remain open beyond normal hours, but check first.

What strikes me--how people are coming together (despite political differences!). Oh, we're all in this together?! What a concept!

Keeper is very helpful in the stick-pick-up department. Glad it's not cold (60 is perfect for this activity!). Another adventure...this too shall pass.

Thanks for all who have asked about my well being! I'm well. For the time being!

26/09/2024

For my IL pals who would love to see me and hear about our new book (and buy some!), I'll be presenting a month from now in Aurora/Naperville area. Free. Even if you can't come, please share this flyer. Thanks!

26/09/2024

Our event scheduled for 9/27 in Boone, NC, has been postponed.

We will get together with the leaders of Hospitality House Northwest NC to reschedule. Stay tuned and stay safe!