“They Had No Obligation to Take Me In and Become Parents to Me”

Ben Kastenbaum told Catherine Hinrichsen about his experience with homelessness as a child, and his love for adoptive parents who gave him a safe home. Photo credit: StoryCorps.

It's that time of year when many of us pause to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. In a moving StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" interview, Ben Kastenbaum talks about his gratitude for the people who gave him his first real home.

What Will You Do to Help End Homelessness?

Joshua Holland pledges to use his talents to help end homelessness. He was one of hundreds of community members who joined All Home's Nov. 17 event.

What are you passionate about? What are you good at? Take answers to those questions and find a way to get involved for life. This was Facing Homelessness founder Rex Hohlbein's advice to an energized crowd last night at a community event hosted by All Home.

Homelessness: A State of Emergency

Doris O'Neal manages a domestic violence program at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish. Image credit: KUOW.

Doris O'Neal, who manages a domestic violence program at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish, told KUOW about her clients' experiences with homelessness. KUOW interviewed Doris after a press conference Monday at YWCA headquarters during which Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine declared that homelessness is in a state of emergency in Seattle and King County. Listen to the story on KUOW's website.

A Community Poem About Domestic Violence

For the YWCA Week Without Violence, we set up poster boards in the lobby of our downtown Seattle building and asked staff, clients, residents, and visitors to reflect on domestic violence. Read the poem that resulted from their thoughtful responses.

Helping Survivors of Domestic Violence: A “Cyber-Advocate’s” Story

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"Domestic violence is a global pandemic. One person cannot stop it alone, but each of us can do something to make a difference. Everyone can be an advocate, learning the facts, the realities that victims deal with, and talking with family or friends, breaking the silence," writes Firesteel intern Carissa Daniels. In this inspiring post, Carissa writes about her volunteer work as a "cyber-advocate" for survivors of domestic violence.

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