In this episode of Weld Said, Mary sits down with David, a lifelong Greeley community member and the founder of Last Light, a new nonprofit focused on supporting unhoused neighbors and people living close to homelessness. This conversation is about homelessness, but it is also about the way people see each other. David talks about what inspired him to start Last Light, including the example of his uncle, who helped unhoused people when David was growing up, and the community spaces he experienced through music where everyone was welcome. Mary and David talk about how easy it is for people to judge unhoused neighbors without understanding how close so many people are to losing housing themselves. They also talk about the many forms homelessness can take: the person sleeping outside, the worker living in their car, the person fleeing domestic violence, the person struggling with mental health, addiction, or simply not having the documents, transportation, shower, bathroom, food, or support they need to get back on their feet. David’s message is simple: communities need to rethink how they help people. Instead of asking whether someone “deserves” help, what if the question became: what would actually help? A ride to an appointment. A shower. A clean pair of socks. Access to food. A phone number. An email address. A community garden. A benefit show. A safe place to sleep. Someone willing to sit down, listen, and say: you still belong here. They also talk about how community care cannot only happen during the holidays. Families need food, diapers, formula, tampons, toilet paper, transportation, support, and connection all year long. Kids need meals in the summer, not just during the school year. People need help before they fall all the way through the cracks. Last Light is still new, and David is inviting the community to help build it. Anyone with an idea, a resource, a connection, a donation, a space, food, supplies, or even just a few minutes to make a phone call may have a way to help. David and Last Light can be reached at: lastlightoutreach@gmail.com Resources for families and kids food programs: Weld Food Bank Child Feeding Programs:https://weldfoodbank.org/child-feeding-programs/ High Plains Library District Kids Eat Free calendar:https://highplains.libcal.com/calendar/hpld?t=d&q=kids%20eat%20free&cid=8181&cal=8181&inc=0 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit greeleyfreepress.substack.com
