We all have a lot of advocacy to do to ensure that all community members -- including survivors of domestic violence -- have the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, affordable home. To inspire you to take action, we're sharing a moving post by Firesteel's first advocacy intern, Carissa Daniels. A survivor of domestic violence who experienced homelessness with her daughter, Carissa is now a strong voice for ending domestic violence and its devastating effects.
Real Stories
Seattle’s Residents Can’t Afford to Wait
Soaring housing prices are causing hardship for people across Seattle, and they have an especially big impact on families and people who were already struggling to pay rent. Our new video shares the stories of residents who want to stay in the neighborhoods they love, but are being priced out.
Facing Rent Hikes for Unsafe Apartments, Tenants Fight for Their Rights
In August, we connected with Sahro Farah, a single mother whose rent was set to double even as deplorable living conditions threatened her children's health. Amazing things happened after we shared her story.
“This Hits Close to Home”: Advocate Shines Light on Hidden Student Homelessness
In the 2011-2012 school year, more than 14,000 Washington students experienced homelessness without their schools knowing. This means they didn't get the resources and protections that are available to all homeless students. Brandy Sincyr, a homeless student advocate and program assistant at Columbia Legal Services, shares a personal story that illustrates why it is so important to close the gap in identifying homeless students.
“I Know I’m on the Right Path”: Determined to Graduate Despite Homelessness
Ashley Danielson attended five different elementary schools while her family experienced homelessness, bouncing from staying in motels to doubling up with relatives to living in the family car. She missed most of the fourth grade.
"We were moving, and there were so many things to do and I just couldn’t go to school," Ashley tells her former case manager from Cocoon House, Marty Shaw, in the newest story produced from the "Finding Our Way" StoryCorps project.