Podcast by Joshua Santos and Michael Newberger

By Roberto Roldan In my two weekends reporting at Sean Cononie’s shelters in Florida, I witnessed human suffering and compassion that was, not to sound cliché, a truly eye-opening experience. So what do you take away from that? Maybe that comes off as self-involved, but after two years I have to wonder why I came … More Column: ‘Suffering on the sideline’

By Loan Le The kids, man, the kids. They broke my heart. I don’t know why or how this happened, but I became painfully aware that my heart had grown so much in four years. (Not that I was a cold-hearted bitch back then). The first night at the Stay Plus Inn this year, I … More But the KIDS?! Homeless hotel not so kid-friendly

By Nicole DeCriscio I’ve now spent two consecutive Labor Day weekends in Florida homeless shelters. Each experience had ups and downs. I was with some of the most talented journalists that I know, which is really cool on a professional level. I could make a compelling argument on why more SPJ chapters and journalism organizations … More Why Will Write For Food Matters: finding comfort in the uncomfortable

Podcast by Joshua Santos and Michael Newberger Mark Targett has been with the COSAC foundation since the late 1990s and he’s been the driving force behind the Homeless Voice newspaper ever since. In this podcast we discuss with Mark the purpose and history of The Homeless Voice and hows it’s adapting to the change from … More Meet Mark Targett, editor of Homeless Voice

By Emily Miels I went into Will Write for Food 2013 as an inexperienced, idealistic college student with nothing to lose and everything to gain. As I return in 2015, I’m no longer a student, but I’m only slightly more experienced and just as idealistic – and I still gained a whole heck of a … More Column: ‘Feeling inspired’

By Dori Zinn Sean Cononie’s Stay Plus Inn may soon have two flags flying high, if Aaron Jackson has his way. Jackson, founder of Planting Peace, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, wants to hang a rainbow pride flag on the property of the homeless hotel, along with the American flag. Jackson’s rainbow-clad Equality House, which sits … More Coming up, coming out: Innkeeper ruffling feathers over LGBT ties

By Alex Jacobi I’ve never really been a risk taker. When I was a kid and went to amusement parks, I would make up excuses not to get on rides. When my mom would finally convince me to ride, I’d quiz her all the way to the front of the line. Are we really sure … More Column: ‘God told me to pray for you.’