One of the most impactful parts of our recent journey to India was navigating the streets. In both smaller villages and more populated cities, life on the streets was never without its surprises and moving parts. Everywhere we went there were small stalls selling bags of chips, drinks, and other necessities. People were walking everywhere, weaving in and out of traffic that might include cars, tuktuks, motorcycles, bikes, buses, cows and stray dogs. Remaining on high alert was imperative.
So much of the culture we observed revolves around street life, and is, in fact, one of the things I like best about visiting India. I love the way people can take a pause in their day to recharge with a cup of chai or grab a fresh cooked meal before heading on down the road. Even on some of the most remote mountain roads, there are tea sellers open for business, hoping to make a sale to passersby.
Here in Phoenix, life on the streets means something else. Our world has bigger, faster vehicles populating its busy roads. Unhoused people are more on their own with less immediately available options for food, drinks, and human contact. When it’s a family facing homelessness, it’s even more challenging and complicated. Fortunately, there are local organizations working on this problem.
Through my friend and colleague, Evon Hart, who is the founder of Community Yoga, I’ve been made aware of St. Vincent de Paul’s Homelessness Prevention Program here in Phoenix. Community Yoga is currently coordinating a fundraiser to support the program. Since we’ve collaborated with Community Yoga before, and we usually do a community service program in the summer, we’ve decided to make this our service project for summer 2025 as well.
After reading about St. Vincent de Paul’s Homelessness Prevention Program, if you’re interested in participating, you can choose from the following options:
- Go to the St. Vincent de Paul website and click on their donate button. With this option you will receive a tax deduction since it’s a nonprofit 501(c)(3).
- Attend some of the Summer and Solidarity classes being offered at Community Yoga as a fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul’s homelessness program June 20-22. 50% of all proceeds with be donated.
Thanks in advance for supporting those in our community who are in need this summer.