Meet Kenneth

I met Kenneth on a day when the weight of his circumstances was written all over him. He shared that he had lost his job, and without income, he couldn’t keep up with the taxes on his mother’s home — the place he had lived since she passed. Losing the house meant losing his stability, his history, and the last physical connection to her.

When I handed him one of our drawstring backpacks, he opened it slowly, almost cautiously. The moment he pulled out the underwear, his entire face changed. A big grin spread across it as he said, “This is exactly the kind I wear!” For a moment, the heaviness lifted.

As we talked, I noticed he avoided eye contact. That happens more often than people realize — so many men and women experiencing homelessness carry a deep sense of shame, even though their circumstances are often far beyond their control. It breaks my heart every time.

I gently reminded Kenneth, as I remind everyone we meet, that he is loved, valued, and worthy of care. Sometimes that reminder — paired with a few essential items — is the first step toward restoring dignity.