It’s Wet. You're Facing Eviction. What do you do?

This may be hard to do. But, just the same, do it. Walk outside the next time it rains and stand in this pouring rain and get wet. Reflect on this. Just stand in the rain. Stay in it for 20 or 30 minutes—if you can. Try to find some cover out of the rain, like maybe under a tree. Stand there for a while. Now walk down the street toward the nearest store and see how long you can handle the wind and the rain. Now imagine that you have just been told by your landlord that you are being evicted. That is right. Evicted—which means you have nowhere to shower, get warm to cook or do anything. The streets are your next stop.

Our 1,300 home visit volunteers deal with the awful idea of eviction and vexing other problems with neighbors every day of the week. On some weeks our volunteers will make 200 visits, many of them young women with children facing eviction. We help as best we can with compassion and some financial support that comes from our donors. Without the generosity of donors, we wouldn’t be able to help people in King County.

The umbrellas are out and some folks are lucky to have them. See the people below. People ask us what the poor, marginalized and the homeless need this time of year. Think about yourself. What would you need when you are told you are being evicted? Then you will have the answer.