B THE LIGHT
B the Light Update: Levels to Freedom by Miriam Walker Can you believe the summer is almost over? With school supplies lining the store shelves already, it’s hard to imagine classes beginning in just weeks. The summer has really flown by!
come off the drugs. Slowly but surely, our unhoused neighbor would have to commit to getting clean. I began, “Aren’t you tired? I mean, you have to be tired of living this way. You know, you can do this. We all believe you can. We believe in you.”
Life at B the Light is as busy as ever, and the summer heat has brought in countless homeless neighbors for showers. Showers are typically scheduled between the hours of 10 to 2, and the volunteers are here to make sure our neighbors have everything needed to feel fresh and renewed. I do believe we often take for granted the things that we’ve always had so readily available to us. For most people showers are as normal as getting up each morning. For the unhoused people of our city showers are not normal, and they’ve come to count on B the Light for a sense of normalcy, during a season that is everything but. The big news this month is the near completion of Phase 2, located on the 2nd floor of our building. There will be more to come on Phase 2 in the next update, but let’s do a recap of Phase 1. The first floor is where it all begins for Phase 1. This is the 15 month program when our homeless neighbors can come in just as they are, but they can’t stay that way. During this time period, the addictions that some of our unhoused friends have become accustomed to must be phased out. There is no alcohol or drugs allowed at B the Light. In addition, our guests must be kind to each other and they will eventually need to learn to live within a community. Many have been living in the woods alone and isolated, and being a part of a community is unchartered territory. During this time they’ll begin to work our program. We’ll see what is needed in the way of paying past fines, secure licenses and ID’s if needed, GED completion if applicable, and we’ll begin to access skill sets to see which jobs will best fit each client. They stay at no cost, but they do have to work to stay, and we provide the work. Work will come in various forms from inside out. It could be working in the garden, tending to the chickens, or inside learning a skill. Whether it be hands-on or online courses, each job is unique to each individual. The biggest hurdle that faces our potential guests however, will be their unwavering attachment to drugs and alcohol. In a flashback moment, the conversation wasn’t unlike countless others I’ve had over the years, but the one on this particular day was initiated by me. I tried to convince one of our guests staying at the warming shelter to go into transitional housing. This would require him to
His sad eyes were tired, and I could feel the heaviness of his words as soon as he spoke them. “I am tired. I’m really tired. I just don’t know if I’m ready.” He let out a defeated sigh. I waited silently. I was not talking, only listening. “Okay I’ll do it. I’ll go.” The fact of the matter is, many of the homeless people who shower each week, and many who come drink coffee and hang out with us, will not be staying at B the Light because they’re not committed to beginning that journey of addiction recovery. Both Phase 1 and 2 will require our homeless neighbors to start down the path to addiction recovery. Phase 2 will be a season of continued discovery, as our clients get closer to the life they began building when they decided to end their cycle of homelessness. We’ll cover more about Phase 2 next month. We will always be here for our unhoused neighbors, despite their choices. Whether they need a shower, resources, food, help calling loved ones, relocating closer to family, or help finding transitional housing, we’ll continue to be their biggest advocate. In a broader sense, we’d like to help all those experiencing homelessness with a place to stay. The reality however, brings me back to the ending of my story from above. Our homeless friend from last winter changed his mind and backed out at the last minute. The backpack and clothing we prepared for him went back on the shelves, as the burden of getting clean was too heavy a burden for him to carry. He occasionally stops by for snacks, and I often see him meandering downtown from time to time. He’s still using drugs. He’s still homeless. And he is still loved. Maybe one day, his reality will come face to face with Phase 1 of B the Light, but until it does, he will always be loved. Tours are still going on, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to come see what’s happening here at B the Light! Seeya next month!
AUGUST 2025 | bmonthly
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