Denver Street Retreat
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family,
This Labor Day Weekend, August 31 - September 3, I will be participating in a Street Retreat in downtown Denver with members of the Denver and the Upaya Santa Fe Zen Centers. We will live on the streets with no resources, experiencing homelessness first-hand, having to beg for money, find places to get food, shelter, and to use the bathroom. For me, this represents an opportunity to experience first hand the plight of the homeless. I hope that I may come away from this retreat with a better understanding of my prejudices and boundaries that keep me separate from others.
As part of this street retreat, we will be supported by social service agencies and non-profit organizations. Since we are not chronically homeless, we are being asked to make donations to those agencies who will be supporting us. Each of us have been requested to raise $500 to donate to organizations working to end homelessness in our communities. It is a tradition for these retreats that we not use our own money, but rather that we beg for those donations. Through this practice, we recognize our interconnectedness and learn to give and receive freely. It is humbling to ask for money, food, shelter, and it is a reminder to me of everything I take for granted each day.
I am asking for donations of $28, but any amount, large or small, would be greatly appreciated. For each donation, I will add one bead to a mala (prayer beads or rosary) that I will wear on the retreat. Your offerings may be made here, through GoFundMe, or by mailing a check to me. I would love to hear from you if you have questions and will gladly share with you my experiences after the retreat!
With much gratitude,
Bill Hamaker
This Labor Day Weekend, August 31 - September 3, I will be participating in a Street Retreat in downtown Denver with members of the Denver and the Upaya Santa Fe Zen Centers. We will live on the streets with no resources, experiencing homelessness first-hand, having to beg for money, find places to get food, shelter, and to use the bathroom. For me, this represents an opportunity to experience first hand the plight of the homeless. I hope that I may come away from this retreat with a better understanding of my prejudices and boundaries that keep me separate from others.
As part of this street retreat, we will be supported by social service agencies and non-profit organizations. Since we are not chronically homeless, we are being asked to make donations to those agencies who will be supporting us. Each of us have been requested to raise $500 to donate to organizations working to end homelessness in our communities. It is a tradition for these retreats that we not use our own money, but rather that we beg for those donations. Through this practice, we recognize our interconnectedness and learn to give and receive freely. It is humbling to ask for money, food, shelter, and it is a reminder to me of everything I take for granted each day.
I am asking for donations of $28, but any amount, large or small, would be greatly appreciated. For each donation, I will add one bead to a mala (prayer beads or rosary) that I will wear on the retreat. Your offerings may be made here, through GoFundMe, or by mailing a check to me. I would love to hear from you if you have questions and will gladly share with you my experiences after the retreat!
With much gratitude,
Bill Hamaker
Organizer
Bill A. Hamaker
Organizer
Littleton, CO
