A reflection from Luke Sumner, Community Advocate at Aurora Commons:
As a Community Advocate at Aurora Commons, some days, it is easy to feel down. There are so many needs that it is impossible to meet them all. People need housing and jobs and healthcare and hundreds of other small things on top of the constant trauma of the street, and the reality is that, although we do all we can, we cannot fulfill all these needs, and indeed, we are working within a system that makes it seem all but impossible sometimes.
On those hard days I often find myself going back to one of the core values of the Commons: That “building relationships and giving our authentic attention must remain the heartbeat at our center and woven through everything that we offer and build.” At the end of the day, if we have been true to that part of our work, we have done what we are called to do.
As we commit to building relationships and community, real and tangible good things can happen, I was able to see that this last season in the lives of two of our community members.
Both Shadow and Tiger were not looking good the first time I saw them. They each were living on the street, had numerous health concerns, and struggling with addiction. Not surprisingly, they both could be challenging to work with, as all they were going through would break anyone. I can remember once, another friend on the street who knew Tiger said very casually, “I love him, but let’s be honest, he is probably going to die on the street.” It was heartbreaking.
Aurora Commons continued to welcome them in with open arms. We got to know these two wonderful people, they became our friends, and then they both were able to connect to our low barrier Suboxone clinic. Hosted at the time in partnership with Sound Health, the SUBS Clinic is an accessible way for people who wanted to stop using opioids to connect with care in the Commons space.
Healthcare is often a huge barrier to people living outside and struggling with addiction, due to stigma and transportation and a host of other issues. Watching the SUBS Clinic work was truly amazing. Lisa, helped to begin a clinic that met needs while being welcoming in every way. Nada Jean Willis, our nurse, was a beam of sunshine, helping people feel comfortable and safe, and answering any questions about the clinic. Dr. John Olson was warm and easy to talk to, and had zero judgment as he did his work. I saw people that were obviously wary of doctors, leaving ten minutes later, shaking hands with him like they were old friends. Rick and Cinnamon helped people connect with mental health and more intensive substance use treatment. Katie Ross - our amazing host and beating heart of the SUBS Clinic - helped facilitate a space where people could navigate an incredibly challenging part of their lives with care and compassion.
Through that space, I watched Shadow and Tiger begin to take control of their health. They stayed on Suboxone, talked with people at the clinic about other health issues, and worked with case managers at REACH about other things like housing. It was within a few weeks of one another that I heard both Tiger and Shadow had found housing.
I have seen them both in the last few weeks, and it is so wonderful to see them. Shadow is smiling and happy and his usual suave self, charming all those around him. Tiger has a skip in his step, and the few times he has come around since getting housing, I see him making the rounds, checking in with everyone, and flashing his trademark smile.
This is something all of us at the Commons should be proud to celebrate. But it didn’t come out of the blue. It came out of our commitment to the values this community has carried for almost a decade. To welcome people in with open arms regardless of their circumstances. To build a community where people are defined not by their drug use or sex work or any of the other labels are friends on the street received, but by their inherent worth as human beings, who each have something to bring not only to our community but to our world.
This is made possible by everyone that makes Aurora Commons a reality. From our amazing staff and donors to those who share about our work in Seattle. I have been working with neighbors living outside for over a decade, and I can tell you unequivocally that Aurora Commons is a special place, and that the work we do is holy and beautiful.
And in the midst of these uncertain times, I am so thankful to be a part of this community and this work.
Luke Sumner
Community Advocate at Aurora Commons
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We are excited to announce the SUBS Clinic will now be partnering with Neighborcare Health!
We are be re-launching our low barrier Buboxone clinic for male identifying and gender non-conforming guests with Neighborcare Health on Wednesdays from 2-4p.