“I Would Walk Through the School Hallways With My Head Down”: Lika’s Story

High school student Lika (right) told teacher Lynette Finau what it's like to attend school while living in a shelter in a StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" conversation. Image credit: StoryCorps

As the weather cools and children start heading back to school, my mind turns to the students who don't have homes in which to do their homework. In a moving StoryCorps conversation, one teenage student talks about what it's like to attend school while living in a shelter.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

“This Is Our Place”: A Journey From Illness and Homelessness to Stability and Community

Nick Hodges and Charlotte Wheelock experienced homelessness with their two young sons after Nick became ill with spinal stenosis. They talk about their journey from homelessness to stability in a <a href="http://kuow.org/post/homeless-and-sick-i-would-just-go-restroom-and-cry" target="_blank">StoryCorps conversation</a> that airs on KUOW today. Image by StoryCorps. — Nick Hodges and Charlotte Wheelock experienced homelessness with their two young sons after Nick became ill with spinal stenosis. They talk about their journey from homelessness to stability in a StoryCorps conversation that airs on KUOW today. Image by StoryCorps.

One year ago, our advocacy manager interviewed Charlotte Wheelock for the StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" project. At the time, Charlotte's family was homeless, and her husband Nick was in the hospital with a paralyzing spinal illness. Just six months later, everything had changed. Charlotte and Nick share their story in a moving StoryCorps conversation.

“You Allowing Us to Have a Stable Home Changed Everything”

Alena Rogers and Raj Kumar's StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" conversation is the latest to air on KUOW. Image by StoryCorps.

Raj Kumar took a chance by renting an apartment to Alena Rogers, a formerly homeless single mother. In their StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" conversation, which airs on KUOW today, Alena tells Raj how having a stable home changed her life. They came together through the Landlord Liaison Project, which provides support for landlords who look beyond standard tenant screening criteria.

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