Operation Hunker Down

On January 11 I finished up with some remote teaching and was about to go make something to eat and relax in my living room when a thought "randomly" crossed my mind. "There are people outside in the tents and it's 10 degrees out." I told myself "there's no way. The tents are literally set up across the street from the Mariott, they are set up in an extremely public space--only a short distance from the RI Capital Building itself, AND its TEN DEGREES." I decided to drive down just to make sure. Unfortauntely, when I arrived there were about 10-12 people there that had been there most of the day. I was talking with them and asked if they would like a place to stay and warm up. It only took about 4 minutes before I couldn't feel my hands and couldn't text a message to a friend saying we have to do something about this. One of my first calls was to the Providence Police Department. I spoke with a staff member who took down my information and shared that I was not a shelter, to share resources, and if no resources were shared, I'd have to continue to support people and have people in the building overnight.

A lot has happened since. At this point we have had 14 people stay overnight. We have served over 20 individuals. I have been able to connect with friends and mentors that I've met along the way to help with this grassroots effort. Many connections from organizations that work with the homeless have assisted with food donations, caseworkers dropping by etc.

I've been self-funding this as a volunteer and have been able to keep going because friends have stepped up to send donations as reimbursements to cover utilities, mattresses, occasionally filling in the food gaps while we try to build capacity, purchasing basic medical supplies.

There is a lot to this issue. A lot of politics. A lot of goodheartedness and a lot of nonsensicalness. All I know is that we will continue to support these individuals, and these individuals continue to raise the bar with their own efforts pitching in to tackle aspects of developing a pop-up emergency space.

This is Operation Hunker Down. The name was inspired by a hat I purchased from a musician in Colorado. It is the hat I happened to be wearing that Tuesday night, and it fits.

This operation also ties into the overall vision of the American Lithuanian Club as the Providence Peace Property. Founded by refugee men, the American Lithuanian Club helped Lithuanian migrants get American citizenship, had food support, offered insurance for men who were sick or died, and many other social services. Eventually a beautiful building was created that allowed events for many to take place. As a result, the population declined, not because the organization was a failure but because it was a success. It allowed individuals to move up the ladder and discover new opportunities throughout the U.S.

Lots to do! (Will edit soon, but many have been asking for a place to contribute)