Lexi is a born survivor. Originally from out of state, Lexi was fleeing domestic violence when she came to Bellingham last summer. To escape her abuser, Lexi planned to meet friends in Canada but was turned away at the border because of a misdemeanor vandalism charge from back when she was a teenager. Just like that, Lexi found herself on the other side of the country with nowhere and no one to go to for help.
“I’d never been homeless before this. It was just the perfect storm. I’m an orphan from my family, and my adoptive parents died a few years back, and I really had no one to go to for help. I mean, where do you go when everybody’s on his side? And since you have anxiety issues, you’re crazy.”
Lexi stayed at a local mission until she worked up the courage to contact Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services in Bellingham. DVSAS helped Lexi find transitional housing, where she came across a flyer for Real Change. Because of her social anxiety issues, Lexi had doubts about selling the paper, but decided to give it a shot.
“I’d read the paper before, and it had a lot of good stuff, and it made you think. … I think knowledge is power. The more we know about what’s going on around us, the more we can do as people to make those changes.”
Although Lexi has to step outside of her comfort zone when selling the paper, she’s been having fun with it. Lexi laughs as she recounts her first sale — the only one she made that day. “But the conversation that it took to get that sale, and that tip, was groundbreaking for me because I’m not really good with speaking to strangers, especially men. And I just struck up a conversation with somebody and was able to relate to them on a broad level. No matter rich or poor, whatever station in life you’re in, the paper has something in it that affects everyone in the spectrum.”
The opportunity to sell Real Change means a lot to Lexi.
“Wow, I do have something I could do, positive, to make a little bit of money for myself on the days I do feel well.”
So often the hustle and bustle of the world leaves behind those who are unable to work a traditional 40-hour work week. “Somebody asked me, ‘Well, why are you out here selling the paper instead of getting a job?’”
Lexi offered them some “cold, hard facts.” She’s had four heart surgeries and has a genetic autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease. She’s tried to get work three times this year and each time ended up in the hospital. She can’t get Social Security at her age.
"Don’t knock someone else’s situation if you haven’t been there.”
So she asked, “Wouldn’t you rather me be out here trying to do something positive than trying to, per se, break into your house for the money? Don’t knock someone else’s situation if you haven’t been there.”
Lexi is no stranger to misjudgment.
“If they don’t have to go through it, they act like it doesn’t exist. It’s all just a magical lie that somebody’s making up because they’re lazy,” Lexi says, reflecting on past experiences.
For the most part, though, Lexi finds Bellingham and the people who hail from it to be of a different breed.
“I like it here. It’s a lot of positivity, everybody’s really positive in looking at the world around them.”
And she finds the people to be incredibly friendly, “no matter what situation you’re in.”
Things are looking up for Lexi as of late. “It feels good — making some kind of money on my own again,” she says.
When thinking about the future, Lexi is hopeful. She looks forward to “just being positive and being happy.” As far as short term goals, Lexi is looking for somewhere to camp without trespassing, she said with a laugh.
“I like to hike and take pictures. I love nature.”
“I like to hike and take pictures. I love nature.”
Judging by the looks of it, though, not nearly as much as Lexi loves her dog, Peaches. Peaches is a rescue dog, but Lexi argues that Peaches is the one who did all the rescuing. Lexi’s long-term goals are to take care of herself and Peaches. They both need dental work, including a double root canal and fillings due to abuse she experienced.
Lexi also hopes to start school in the fall, to get the training she needs to land a job she’s able to do and do well. If you’re ever in Bellingham and run into Lexi, be sure to say hello and show your support by buying a paper or striking up a conversation.
Real Change would like to thank Lexi for her remarkable bravery in sharing her story with us and our readers.
Lexi is one of 300 active vendors selling Real Change. Each week a different vendor is featured. View previous vendor profiles.
Wait, there's more. Check out the full March 21 - 27 issue.