“I Had Nothing”: Mother Forced to Choose Between Abuse and Homelessness

In the newest StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" story, Jordan Hedgecock (left) tells Tanya Mettlen from Catholic Community Services about facing homelessness after leaving an abusive relationship. Image credit: StoryCorps.

With only $4 cash and no access to her bank account or credit cards, Jordan Hedgecock strapped her children in their carseats and fled an abusive partner. Hear about their experience with homelessness, read how their story fits into the larger context of domestic violence and homelessness in our state, and learn what you can do today to help ensure that all families have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, affordable homes.

Infographic: How the Housing Trust Fund Helps End Homelessness

The Housing Trust Fund is our state's best tool for creating and maintaining affordable housing. A couple of years ago, we teamed up with the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance to create an infographic explaining how the fund works. The graphic was such a good way to break down a complex issue that we decided to update it and bring it back this year! Check out version 2.0, and encourage your lawmakers to invest in affordable homes through the Housing Trust Fund.

The Voices Behind the Numbers

In the newest StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" story, Taylor Henson tells his friend Chelsea Lindquist about his family's experience with homelessness. Voices like Taylor's motivate our staff to advocate for policies that will help end homelessness.

32,494. That’s the number of homeless students in Washington. Taylor Henson is the voice. After Taylor’s mom left the military, their family ended up homeless. Listen to Taylor describe the stress and depression that he faced as a homeless student, and the life-changing joy that he found in photography. Then read what you can do to help create opportunities for families to live in safe, affordable homes.

I’m an Advocate — and an Activist: Amanda M. Vail

Amanda M. Vail writes that to her, activism "means forming opinions and being willing to have open, honest, and respectful discussions about them." Image courtesy Amanda M. Vail.

"It’s the small, meaningful conversations we have person to person that create societal change." Writer and activist Amanda M. Vail shares how she advocates for causes that matter to her in this inspiring post.

Culture Watch: Inside the Epidemic of Veteran Suicide With “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1”

This image captures the intensity of the crisis responders at the Veterans Crisis Hotline as they do everything they can to steer callers away from suicide. Image from <a href="http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/crisis-hotline-veterans-press-1#/" target="_blank">HBO</a>. — This image captures the intensity of the crisis responders at the Veterans Crisis Hotline as they do everything they can to steer callers away from suicide. Image from HBO.

The Oscar-winning documentary "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1" really hit home for guest blogger Perry Firth. She was once a responder at a local crisis line, and the film brought back memories of the people she spoke with who were contemplating taking their own lives. In this moving post, she reflects on the film, what she learned as a crisis responder, and the connections between military service, suicide and homelessness.

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