Current resident Chris knew he wanted to join the Navy since he was 13. He remembers his service with joy, but hesitates to think of himself as a veteran because he sees himself “as just another person. Nothing special.” When he first became homeless, Chris thought it was the end of the world but his troubles gave him a new perspective, one he credits with changing his life. He’s learned to slow down and be patient to achieve his goals.

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.