My name is Zackary Tutwiler, and this month marks my twelfth-year anniversary as a Real Change vendor.
My journey with advocacy started 31 years ago when I was a homeless teen out of YouthCare’s Orion Center at age 15. In the ’90s, I helped start Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets, an organization that worked to support homeless and at-risk youth and young adults in King County empower themselves and lead positive and self-sufficient lives.
Now, I’m 46 and still making a difference.
Like many, I was once out here on the Seattle streets, caught up in a life selling drugs to survive. I had no one to help me maintain daily tasks, and I got tired of asking for help. But I saw the opportunity to start a new path one day, took it and haven’t looked back since.
As a Real Change vendor, I’ve advocated for myself and others. Being a self-motivator has allowed me to meet people I thought I never would, including Washington Sen. Patty Murray and former city and state representatives.
With Real Change’s advocacy department, I’ve rallied outside Seattle City Hall and learned about state legislation. I even spoke about housing and transportation on a panel with Disability Rights Washington earlier this month.
These experiences have opened my eyes to a whole new meaning of what we can do in Seattle to gain peace, love, understanding and trust. As a vendor, every day is different, and I continue the never-ending battle as a leader in my community.
Someday, I hope to continue to give back to Washington’s streets by founding my own organization named “Z-Loves Motivation,” where me and my crew can empower others and give them the tools they need to be self-motivated.
I wrote this piece not really knowing who it would touch. But I hope that I can motivate anyone who really wants change to go after it. I hope I can inspire anyone who reads this to support others like me.
Thank you, Seattle, for allowing me to be my own boss and to continue to make a difference in the lives of others. And, on behalf of Real Change, I ask you to give what you can to support everyone bringing you our news.
Thank you again, as I love all and hate no one.
Zackary Tutwiler is a Real Change vendor. His badge number for Venmo payments is 12759.
Read more of the June 26-July 2, 2024 issue.