22 Comments
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Julie's avatar

I love this post. Thanks, Shannan, for always afflicting me in my comfort. Kevin, that one suggestion of learning someone's name is helpful. I'm part of an inner city after school program, where we help with homework, give snacks, and help the students' families with a food pantry and clothing closet. Yet I still feel I'm taking baby steps. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. BUT GOD.

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Kevin Nye's avatar

in the end, it's all about relationships and connection. thanks for what you're doing, EVERY step counts, even the baby ones :)

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Shannan Martin's avatar

I'm glad you enjoyed this, Julie! I knew this was a space that would appreciate what Kevin so thoughtfully and clearly shared. And I agree, learning names changes everything. It is slow work, but it is valuable work.

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John E. Dobbs's avatar

Thank you so much. Bought the book and subbed to Kevin. So important...and I feel so helpless.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

I know you will find some next steps and ultimately, some hope!

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Marcie Alvis Walker's avatar

Loved this. I signed up for Kevin’s newsletter. It falls in line with what I’ve been reading lately. First, your book— Start with Hello. Then, both of Stephanie Land’s memoirs — Maid and Class. And now I’m finishing up Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America.

Thank you friend. Your timing is on point!

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Shannan Martin's avatar

Poverty, by America is on my list! Swedish breakfast book club? ;)

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Marcie Alvis Walker's avatar

Oh my gosh! Yes!!! I was just thinking of that restaurant.

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Kevin Nye's avatar

signed up for yours too :)

i got to hear Stephanie Land speak at the last National Alliance to End Homelessness conference in July and she was terrific. I haven't read Poverty, by America yet but Desmond's "Evicted" is such a masterpiece and influenced my book a lot

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Marcie Alvis Walker's avatar

I have Evicted on my list and will start that one after I finish Poverty. Have you read Stephanie Land's newest book Class? I'm still processing it.

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Kevin Nye's avatar

not yet! but i will move it up the list now.

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Sarah K. Butterfield's avatar

Oh I'm so glad you are highlighting Kevin and his work! I just finished reading his book and it completely changed the way I think about my unhoused neighbors here in San Diego! I hope everyone reads his book and that we can all feel empowered to take those baby steps together :)

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Shannan Martin's avatar

I'm with you! And I miss San Diego all the time. What a place!

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Kevin Nye's avatar

Thank you so much, Sarah! So much love for SD.

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sue1944's avatar

I so enjoy your writing

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Shannan Martin's avatar

Thanks, Sue! Hearing that it meets people in the right place is the encouragement writers need to keep going. I'm glad you're here.

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Simon Travers's avatar

Story for Ruby. I felt exactly like she did growing up. My mum made these really thick vegetable gloom things that I ate because I had to.

But first Christmas we were married, A was poorly with flu. I concocted my first 'winter warmer'. A vegetable soup doused in raw garlic and chilli. I didn't know you had to pre-cook garlic. It was vegetable fire-water. But it was great because I made it. And then I learnt to make soup.

Maybe soup only stops being depressing when it's your own.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

This is everything. I read your comment like a page from my favorite memoir. I can taste that apocalyptic soup!!

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Megan Sciarrino's avatar

Cozy is the hope, Shannan. Thank you for tucking us into the right thinking spaces. My church starts a series about the lack of housing locally this Sunday, and I’m very curious. To this end, I will be securing Kevin’s book too! Our family volunteers for Family Promise and we shared a meal with our neighbors last night. Never put it that way before, so thank you, Kevin, for turning our mouth and ears and eyes and hearts this way. ♥️

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Kevin Nye's avatar

Thank you Megan! And I’m excited for your church to be talking about housing... I wish every church were! Please let me know if there’s any way I can be a resource.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

Right?! Like, why not? I think we can and should keep hoping for cozy. Appreciate you, M.

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Julie Wilson's avatar

Where did we go wrong that our children think soup is depressing?!?!! Is it just something you learn to appreciate with age and wisdom?!! 😂

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