Many of you know me, but for those who don’t, my name is Jill and I run the Landfill Diversion Project on Facebook. We also lead a Community Warmth Project in Denton, TX, supporting our unhoused neighbors with food, warmth, and human connection.

Many of you already know Stephen, a long-time Denton resident who was homeless for many, many years. This is the best photo I have of him — he’s getting up there in age, struggles with severe stooped posture, and can no longer stand upright, completely. But anyone who has spoken with him knows he is one of the most incredible conversationalists. Stephen knows Denton like the back of his hand. He can tell you the history of almost every street — what used to be there, what’s there now, and everything in between.

Thankfully, Stephen has been housed for the past few years. But age, mobility issues, and lack of resources are starting to make daily life extremely difficult for him. We want to ensure he stays safely housed and help provide him with the handicap-accessible items, mobility support, and basic tools he needs.

I first met Stephen in 1995. Our paths have crossed hundreds of times over the years, always with deep, thoughtful conversations. This past week, Denton temperatures dropped too quickly for him. When I saw him on Thanksgiving, outside Crumbl Cookie on Loop 288, he had walked across town trying to find a community gathering for Thanksgiving — only to discover the usual place he goes was closed. Without a phone or internet, he had no way of knowing. I gave him food and a warm pack and asked him to head home before the weather changed. He promised he would.

On 12/1/2025, a post appeared on Facebook about an older man outside a church near Loop 288 who was shaking and unable to speak. We were tagged immediately. We grabbed warm items and drove out to find him — and it was Stephen.

Since Thanksgiving, he had only managed to walk one block from where I last saw him three days earlier.

I loaded him into my car, took him home, made sure his heater was on, and asked him what he needed. I only wish I had gotten him home on Thursday, but he truly believed he could make it on his own. From now on, I’ll be checking on him regularly.

There are several things Stephen desperately needs. One of the most urgent is an XL-sized phone with a large, easy-to-read screen. With a phone, he’ll be able to check the weather, understand which community spaces are open, and call for help or a ride. We also need to get him mobility aids, home accessibility items, and safety essentials so he can continue living independently and safely.

Stephen spent many, many years unhoused. He finally has a roof over his head — and now my deepest hope is that he gets to keep it.

Members of our community have encouraged me to open this GoFundMe for him, and I’m doing so because Stephen deserves stability, dignity, and support in his older years.

Every bit of support will go directly toward keeping him safe, connected, and housed.

Thank you all for caring about him.