Firesteel Blog

“I’ve Dealt With a Lot of Stereotypes”: Danielle’s Long Journey Home

Danielle D'Haiti (left) recorded a StoryCorps conversation with her friend TaTeasha Davis Brown. Image credit: StoryCorps.
Danielle D'Haiti (left) recorded a StoryCorps conversation with her friend TaTeasha Davis Brown. Image credit: StoryCorps.
In a new StoryCorps conversation, Danielle relays a grocery store customer's snide comment to her white adoptive mother. It was just one of many times she has been disparaged for being a black woman. And racism in our community face goes far beyond unkind remarks.

No Family to Turn to: After Foster Care, Many Youth Face Homelessness

AmeriCorps members, YMCA staff, and participants in the YMCA Member Ambassador Committee pose for a mid-hike photo at Washington Park Arboretum. Pictured left to right: Marja Morgan, Katie Swanson, Parisa Ghebleh, Kevin Hale, Rosie Cullen, Peter Benson, and Samuel Seguido. Photo courtesy Marja Morgan.
AmeriCorps members, YMCA staff, and participants in the YMCA Member Ambassador Committee pose for a mid-hike photo at Washington Park Arboretum. Pictured left to right: Marja Morgan, Katie Swanson, Parisa Ghebleh, Kevin Hale, Rosie Cullen, Peter Benson, and Samuel Seguido. Photo courtesy Marja Morgan.
Marja Morgan helps young people who have aged out of foster care get assistance with their housing, employment, and education needs. We invited Marja to write about her work with the YMCA of Greater Seattle's Independent Living Program, as well as the reasons that people who were once in foster care are at greater risk of experiencing homelessness. Marja also writes about a chance encounter with a globetrotting woman who prompted her to reflect on her own vulnerability to homelessness.

Connecting the Dots Between Homelessness and Health

A doctor checks on a young patient. Health care professionals and service providers are building partnerships to help ensure that all families -- including those who experience homelessness -- get access to the care they need. Image courtesy Building Changes via Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry.
A doctor checks on a young patient. Health care professionals and service providers are building partnerships to help ensure that all families -- including those who experience homelessness -- get access to the care they need. Image courtesy Building Changes via Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry.
Lana and her daughter were evicted from their two-bedroom apartment in Renton last year when Lana’s kidneys failed and she could no longer work to keep up on rent. Like many families, they opted to hold on to their vehicle and the little bit of security and freedom it still offers them. Real Change recently reported their story as part of an ongoing series on vehicle residents in Seattle. Hannah Hunthausen from Seattle University's School of Theology & Ministry reflects on the report, and invites readers to learn more about the intersections of homelessness and health.

Wired for Empathy: What Makes a Story Powerful

The love of stories starts early. Image from <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/learning-development-looking-people-164331/" target="_blank">pixabay.com</a>.
The love of stories starts early. Image from pixabay.com.
Why do storytelling projects like Humans of New York, Homeless in Seattle and StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" move us so deeply? And what lessons can advocates learn from their success? Perry Firth breaks it down in this post, the third and final part of her series on storytelling, empathy and advocacy.
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