Vang inthe Raing

We stood cheery under the Blue Bridge. The rain fell and the chill blew through our autumn gear. Startled, we caught a glimpse of a figure in the far distance slowly making its way down the path. It walked queerly. Only an intermittent touch of light illuminated its face. What was it? A vampire? Zombie? We tensed, preparing for the end. Was it? Was this ghoulish figure bringing our doom? It appeared from the dark path and revealed itself in full. There stood Perch with a smile. We would live to see another day.

Dum Dums

Wettest year on record? We believe it.

Last night, enduring a constant pelting of rain, the HOPE'sters worked to bring a little sunshine to the dark streets and woods of Akron.

Here's one fer ya: Try waking up at 2:30AM in order to walk across the Y-Bridge to Tallmadge Avenue in order to reach the temp office by 3:45AM so you can be selected to work for $7.45 counting lollipops. Of course, ya gotta pay for the ride to Barberton.

Akronist - Akron/Ohio - Reaching the homeless through the classroom

Akronist - Akron/Ohio - Reaching the homeless through the classroom

Glow

Kevin's job fell through, but he's made a strong connection with his two children, a daughter and son he hasn't really seen in five years. When we came upon his camp, he was in the middle of writing a letter to his daughter. She's becoming a dental hygienist, and he's happy about that.

Gibson handed me his cane and Dom his flashlight so he could show me the business card of the doctor at Summa helping him with his pancreatic cancer. He does it all with smiles.

Johnny, long time no see, is frustrated in his job search. "Nobody will hire a guy with a bunch of misdemeanors," he says looking at the ground. "Petty theft. I stole some food once, cuz I was on the streets, hungry, nowhere to go." I have no positive answers for him.

The dark of Autumn has arrived. Flashlights anyone?

Check out Akronist's documentary of Project HOPE.

Git'r Done

Our drive along the tracks led us to David, lying comfort- ably, enjoying his solitude. He's been in Akron for a few months, guilted to return after his brother's death; however, he smirks and says he shouldn't have come back. Now, his goal is to get back to Florida. But for the moment, he's going to endure the winter, spending most of it in the Haven of Rest--a home not conducive to his comfort in solitude.


Remember that on October 15, Project Homeless Connect 5k Run/Walk "On Water" event takes place at Summit Lake Community Center. The race raises money to fund Project Homeless Connect, which will be held May 8, 2012. Operation Homeless Connect is a one-day, one-stop event designed to provide access to housing, services, and hospitality for people experiencing homelessness, loss of income, or financial difficulty.