Power has been restored. Been without since Sunday evening. This was a temporary inconvenience for me.

Yes, it was freezing. Yes, it was stressful. It was even dangerous, as tree limbs were falling and transformers were exploding in my neighborhood.

And I still had a roof, food, financial resources, family, pets, and another place to go when it became unbearable.

For others currently existing through this terrible experience, I hope it ends soon. I also hope that we, individually, and as a nation strengthen our resolve.

For many unsheltered/unhoused people, living without basic human needs is not at all temporary. In Portland, thousands of people will sleep tonight in tents, on benches, in cars, and on sidewalks.

We cannot look away. We must not be complicit in casting folks aside. Poverty is a policy choice. Housing is a human right.

We can no longer support politicians who shrug shoulders at the issues of poverty and houslesness. We cannot expect philanthropy alone to solve this perpetuation of a hierarchy of human value.

We must be collectively activated to do two things: push on our politicians to create solutions for mass houselessness and fund them with resources...

And give resources when we can to non-profit organizations who are standing in the gap.

Please donate to your local shelters and housing non-profits.

I just set up my recurring monthly donation to @StreetRoots ...if you can give, you should. Thanks.