UNIIITY IN THE COMMUNITY
HOW THE POWER OF CANNABIS CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND ULTIMATELY, A COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
By: DeRon Waller
SHARING WARMTH AND A SAFE SPACE
STIIIZY teamed up with Share The Warmth International to help support their community giveback that took place at the Refresh Spot: an oasis in Skid Row that provides our unhoused neighbors with fresh water, restrooms, a safe place to wash their clothes and so much more.
Share The Warmth, an up and coming organization, dedicates their time in helping the unhoused community around the world and operates with the belief of “Sisterhood Through Services.” Their goal: to bridge the gap between homelessness and self sustainable living by providing a safe space as well as free clothing, haircuts and other grooming services.
On Sunday, April 25, 2021, STIIIZY was able to help Share The Warmth’s act of kindness with delicious, deli fresh sandwiches and sides that fed well over 300 folks. As our team members walked around Skid Row to spread awareness of the event, they were also able to distribute sandwiches for them to enjoy even if they could not make the trip.
Team USA paralympic swimmer Jamal Hill was also in attendance and helped our team pass out sandwiches and assist wherever he could — Hill will be competing in the 2021 Paralympic games in Tokyo this summer and hopes to bring home gold.
CHANGING THE LENSE ON HOMELESSNESS
When it comes to talking about our unhoused communities, people think there’s one easy solution to the issue, when that is far from the truth. The fact of the matter is, there are so many different stories, different types of what society has coined as ‘homelessness’ that people may be experiencing — most of which have stemmed from an ongoing systemic issue or just what life has dealt a person.
Those that come together to help support understand this notion and want those who don’t have a place to call their own to know that they are being seen and they are being heard.
“There’s no one size fits all solution towards homelessness,” STIIIZY’s Community Giving Manager, DeRon Waller said as he looked back at that weekend of bringing unity to the community. “There are people who work two jobs but have to live in their car, people with mental health issues, Harvard graduates, military vets [and more].”
Luckily, the people that reside in Skid Row have always had a very strong sense of community which makes them a very resilient and strong group of people. Even those who have transitioned from the area come back regularly to do what they can alongside those like Shirley Raines and the Share The Warmth Int’l organization.
“They are very thankful to be seen,” Waller said. “They are thankful to be treated with dignity and with respect from another human being.”
The different perspectives of Skid Row have impacted us forever, and we will always do our best to continuously bring awareness to this ongoing issue while volunteering and donating where we can.
