Stand with Lesley: Health and Hope in Boulder

Hi my name is Izzy Friedrich and I am a freshman at the University of Colorado Boulder. What all started as a project for my reporting technologies classes to produce a compelling news story, connected me with someone that advocates for the un-housed community, with struggles of her own. I went out with the intent on doing a news story on the boulder un-housed community, and ended up being connected with a woman names Lesley. Lesley is a CU graduate, and a domestic violence survivor who resides on the streets of our college campus. Not only does she advocate for the un-housed community, but bands them together, and educates them on survival. She is a very loved and appreciated member of their community and an under appreciated member of our community.

Lesley didn't exactly want to share her story at first, but better yet raise awareness for others in the community and discuss the complications with their new life style due to city ordinances. In talking to her she opened up to me about her Lupus diagnosis, and renal failure, always with a positive tone, and sole focus on making sure this stories trajectory didn't turn to focus on her. Today I was supposed to meet with Lesley and she informed me that she was really not doing well, and was heading to the hospital in hopes of getting some support, despite having no medical care.

Lesley is selfless, and would never ask for the support of others, so that is why I am doing it for her. Please consider donating for an unsung member of our community, and fellow Boulder student. It would go a lot further for her, and the rest of the Boulder un-housed community then us.