A veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, staff member Bill Zarakotas got his start at Liberty House as a Vista volunteer. Throughout his life, Bill was thrust into situations and roles he felt unprepared for but he learned quickly and never lost sight of his greatest strength: helping others. His love for his veteran brothers and sisters shows in every interaction Bill has with our residents and he is truly the heart of our team.

Note: Bill’s current job title is Director of Community Relations, not Assistant Director as stated in the interview.

The 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report discussed in this episode can be found here. Since the taping of this episode, the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness has released its 2014 report, which includes a more comprehensive county-by-county breakdown. Click here to learn more.

First, because we believe that stories are the currency of human connection. The sharing of experiences can break down boundaries, forge new paths, and force us to see each other as individuals with complex and varied histories instead of “types†dictated by circumstance.

Second, because anyone who has heard the clink of quarters against pennies, be it in a plastic cup or the bottom of a purse, knows that one has to move beyond spare change to impact chronic homelessness.

Lastly, the show is called Beyond Spare Change out of respect for the work the men and women who have passed through Liberty House have done on themselves and their lives. It’s no mean feat to find work after unemployment and homelessness. It’s no mean feat to struggle with addiction and maintain one’s sobriety. Above all, Beyond Spare Change is dedicated to our hardworking residents.

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