Two Years Later: Reflecting on "A Day In the Life, Houseless in The Dalles"
A Thank You Letter to the Community
Cole Goodwin standing outside The Dalles Shelter Site at 7 A.M. on January 21st, 2021.
Dear Community,
The second anniversary of my article "A Day in the Life, Houseless in The Dalles" is coming up on January 27th, 2023.
I gave it a re-read today, and the memories of that fateful day and night— which changed me forever—washed over me like it was yesterday.
I remember how nervous I’d been when it came time to write. How I’d edited that story to death. That whole week I sat at my computer biting my nails—wondering. Wondering if I was taking a huge chance sharing the stories of some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Wondering what ridicule I might face for sharing my own most personal thoughts and feelings. I worried over my shame, my heart and the hearts of those I had interviewed.
It was early days for me as a journalist after all–and I hadn’t yet learned to relinquish my worries about how other people would interpret my work or my truth. Because the truth is—as a journalist you have no power over what other people read into your work—the only control you have is telling the story the way it happened.
My worst worry? The thing I feared most, even more than some kind of public backlash—?
That no one would care.
But then publishing day came.
And the outpouring of support was, quite frankly, overwhelming.
The outpouring of clicks, shares, comments and donations we received as a result of that story humbled me. For weeks I had people calling me and emailing me about how to get in touch with individuals I’d interviewed, asking how they could help. Local leaders called me to thank me and tell me what plans they were thinking of putting into motion to address houselessness. I remember feeling so proud of all of us, for choosing to engage, for asking what action we can take to alleviate the pain of others in our community and for refusing to look away from the needs of our community.
Much has changed since I wrote this piece.
So many things exist now that didn’t two years ago.
A year round shelter for one. (Thanks to the passing of House Bill 2006)
Shower trailers at the shelter sites.
A MCCAC Purposity account that allows users to meet the specific needs of houseless and in-need clients in the community.
Documents detailing 4-year and 5-year strategic plans to address houselessness in our region.
Federal recognition of our local agencies for the good work they are doing.
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is now leading the charge to end homelessness in our region.
And they’ve founded the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative, which coordinates the efforts of 40 community partners in our region.
Our City and County leaders are working with local organization to approach houselessness more collaboratively and proactively than we've ever seen in the past. And thanks to local donations, legislative action, and organizational and volunteer efforts there are more services, resources, and life necessities available to those experiencing houselessness than ever before.
And what a difference it's made!
MCCAC has helped over 70 people who were experiencing houselessness transition into permanent housing in 2022. Imagine a room with 70 people in it. It’s in crowded there, isn’t it?
It warms my heart!
And it’s all thanks to the hard work of individuals in our community.
I couldn’t be prouder of ya’ll.
Thank you for your service to our communities. Thank you for caring about those in need in your community. Thank you for taking action to make your world a better place.
And while a lot has changed in two years one thing hasn’t: the courage and compassion of individuals in this community who work hard everyday to make it a better place. I see it. Every. Single. Day. In our communities. I don’t always have time to report on it—but believe me, it is happening. Sure we have our bad days, dark days, days of mourning and loss, but doesn’t everybody see those days within their lifetime? Doesn’t every community in the world know what that’s like?
No matter what we keep standing back up.
My hope is that we as a community never change in this regard. I hope that we will continue to move forward in seeking solutions to the issues facing us with courage, compassion, curiosity, and hope for a better future for every member of our community.
But I think overall, what has touched me most deeply is the love, gratitude, and change that have resulted from this story. Even now, once in a while, people bring up this piece—and they tell me the most beautiful ways in which that story has impacted them, their worldview, their actions, and their life. And every time I am floored by the depth of our collective humanity. We may not be a perfect species. But our capacity for good is undeniably beautiful. And powerful.
To wrap up, to this day I have never received higher praise on any of my work as I have for "A Day in the Life”. And all I can say is thank you. Thank you. It was an honor to write this story for you. It was and remains to be an honor to serve as a conduit for sharing your stories, and the stories of people living in our communities.
With love,
Cole Goodwin
P.S. Thanks to readers like you “A Day in the Life” now has over 6,930 reads on our website!
Thank you all so much for your support!
To read A Day in the Life, Houseless in The Dalles click here.
