Sometimes, the hardest part about the road to recovery is learning to love ourselves.
“I used to be embarrassed when I wasn’t sober,” said 2018 Real Change Vendor of the Year Sabina Lopez. “I was coming to work hung over all the time. I was always broke. I worked so hard just to have nothing.”
“Then, as I sold Real Change, I found that people love me anyway, no matter what. They were family. If I needed help, they would help me.”
“I’ve been out here way too long. Another cold winter is coming, and I want to get into housing by Christmas,” she said, a big smile on her face.
“With Real Change and my customers and friends, I have all the support I need.”
Since I started this newspaper in 1994, I’ve seen person after person transformed by the healing relationships they find in Real Change.
They find that the coping behaviors that once made life more bearable no longer square with who they’ve become.
Real Change begins with community, and community begins with small acts of love that accumulate and grow. Your support of our Winter Fund Drive helps people look toward a future of possibility and hope.
People like Sabina Lopez, who use Real Change to overcome the pain and despair of their pasts.
When Sabina lost her three kids to CPS, all the light went out of her life. “I just lost it. I couldn’t get over losing my babies. My whole world went ‘boom!’ Whiskey, crack, meth. Whatever I could get. I just wanted to be numb. I stayed that way for almost 10 years.”
Now, all that has changed. Most days, you can find her in front of the Fremont PCC, trading smiles with her community, making the choices and earning the money she needs for a better life.
Sabina has found her road back. But in a county with 6,320 people sleeping outside each night, her goal of getting inside — which should be a basic human right — is instead a long and winding path, filled with setbacks and uncertainty.
When you support Real Change, you create the caring community that lifts up those who struggle to cope and survive.
When you support Real Change, you create the caring community that lifts up those who struggle to cope and survive.
Between now and Dec. 31 at midnight, we’re working to raise $170,000 to build a foundation for our programs in 2019.
More than 300 homeless and low-income people earn an income with Real Change each month.
Our organizing pushes for bold legislation and budget decisions that put people first.
Our award-winning weekly newspaper puts the lives of homeless people at center, and asks us to see with new eyes. And readers like you offer the caring community that helps our vendors feel valued and supported.
2019 will be Real Change’s 25th anniversary of empowering low-income and homeless people. 25 years of providing jobs, community, and support for our neighbors living in poverty.
When you make your gift during the Winter Fund Drive, you’re investing in the next 25 years.
Sabina has worked hard to get to where she is today. When she began selling in front of the Starbucks across the Fremont Bridge, something changed inside her. “People showed me love. They were worried about me. When are you getting an apartment?”
A customer recently knit her a wool hat, a small gesture of warmth and acceptance that made a big impact. “I love my customers. The people in Fremont inspire me. They’re really loving out there.”
“I got sober, and it feels great. I put money aside for papers on the first of the month. When I have papers, I know I’m safe.”
You are part of this change. When you buy your paper from your neighborhood vendor, when you share a smile and a hello, that small gesture could mean the world to someone working toward their goal.
As we look to our next 25 years, we’re leaning into what works. Building community and support for our vendors.
As we look to our next 25 years, we’re leaning into what works. Building community and support for our vendors.
Involving our readers in the work of creating a more caring community. And investing in the quality journalism that keeps you coming back.
It takes a big communnity to make Real Change. We're counting on your continued support at any level that makes sense for you. Thank you for helping keep the love alive.
P.S. Your gift of $100 or more will be matched up to $15,000 thanks to our generous matching pool donors. Leverage your gift today and help us go further together.
When you give $250 or more during this drive, you’ll receive a Real Change “Treating People Like People” T-shirt and a copy of Nick Licata’s book “Becoming a Citizen Activist” while supplies last. And when you bring your proof of donation to Eltana Bagels on Stone Way or in Capitol Hill, you'll receive a free gift card (limitations apply).
Tim Harris is the Founding Director Real Change and has been active as a poor people’s organizer for more than two decades. Prior to moving to Seattle in 1994, Harris founded street newspaper Spare Change in Boston while working as Executive Director of Boston Jobs with Peace.
Check out the full Nov. 14 - 20 issue.
Real Change is a non-profit organization advocating for economic, social and racial justice. Since 1994 our award-winning weekly newspaper has provided an immediate employment opportunity for people who are homeless and low income. Learn more about Real Change.