Changing the perspective of homelessness.

I attended ASAE's Annual Meeting in St. Louis earlier this month. It was a huge milestone for me. Not only did I get to walk on stage to be recognized as a new Certified Association Executive (CAE), but I got "naked" in front of 250+ people. Not really naked, but I sure felt naked. I revealed my dark past and let it be known that I was homeless. I had the stage for five minutes and when I was done I felt overwhelmed by the standing ovation and tear streaked faces that filled the room.

I broke down.  

My former supervisor came up to me, eyes red from crying and he reached out his arms and pulled me tight.. telling me how proud he was that I was able to talk about this. He has always told us that he did not want to be a father figure, but in my mind.. he was at that moment, my dad. Giving me the support and understanding that I never received during his life.

My own eyes filled with tears.. tears for the innocence lost, tears for the pain that remained buried for so many years, tears for all the lost souls still in the streets.

I made a vow to myself that day: I will repeat my story as many times as it takes and I hope to change the perspective - not only of those that look out at the homeless, but of those that look in the mirror and see the face of the homeless.

We need to give a hand up - not hand outs.