One of the questions we get asked most often is: "Why do you go to the same places week after week?" The answer is simple but profound: consistency builds trust, and trust enables transformation.
The Problem with One-Time Help
Many organizations do "one-off" outreach events. They show up once, distribute supplies, take photos, and leave. While this can provide temporary relief, it doesn't create the conditions for real change. When you only show up once, people don't know if you're coming back. They can't count on you. They remain in survival mode.
The Power of Showing Up
When we arrive on Skid Row week after week, something shifts. People start to recognize us. They learn our names. They tell us their stories. They ask about our lives. A relationship forms.
That relationship is the foundation for everything else. When someone trusts you, they're more likely to:
- Tell you what they actually need (not just take what's offered)
- Accept help with other challenges (housing, healthcare, jobs)
- Believe that their situation can change
- Have hope
It's Not About the Stuff
Yes, we bring clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. These things matter. But the most important thing we bring is our presence. The message we send by showing up again and again is: "You matter. You're not forgotten. Someone cares."
That message, delivered consistently over months and years, has the power to change lives.
"Consistency isn't glamorous. It doesn't make for exciting headlines. But it's what actually works." — Audra Wise