Many of us know Kathy Lawhon because she has been there — over and over again.

For years, Kathy has shown up at city council meetings, protests, rallies, and community events, phone in hand, live-streaming so people who couldn’t be there in person could still see what was happening. For folks who were working, disabled, caregiving, or just worn down, Kathy made it possible to stay connected and informed. She helped people feel less alone and more part of a community that actually shows up.

Kathy has never been quiet when something wasn’t right.

She has stood up to injustice again and again, often at personal cost. She’s been part of the fight for housing justice with groups like Tacoma for All, part of the fight for climate justice with Climate Alliance of the South Sound and 350 Tacoma, and part of countless efforts to push for a better, fairer world. She doesn’t do this work for recognition — she does it because she believes people deserve better.

Right now, Kathy needs that same community to show up for her.

Kathy is facing eviction because her landlord claims she has an unpaid rent balance, even though it's unclear whether she was properly notified of increases, and she has a long history of activism and challenging her landlord. If we can help pay off this balance, she can stay housed and keep up going forward. This is a solvable problem — but the timing is urgent.

If Kathy loses her housing, she will again be homeless. Because of her disabilities, that would be an incredibly dangerous and frightening situation. No one who has given so much of themselves to their community should be facing this alone.

We are asking people to help however they can — donate if you’re able, share this fundraiser, and help spread the word. Every bit helps. Every share matters.

Let’s rally around Kathy the way she has rallied around so many of us.

Let’s keep her housed.