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Homelessness is an everyone problem

When I was 11 years old, my family’s home burned to the ground in the dead of winter. We lost everything — our belongings, our shelter, and our sense of security — all just weeks before Christmas. For what felt like an eternity to a young kid, we were essentially homeless, relying on the kindness of others to get by. It was devastating and something I live with to this day.

But something else that has stayed with me wasn’t just the loss; it was the overwhelming generosity of our community. I was in awe of how many people opened up their homes to offer us a couch to sleep on, clothes to wear to school, and presents to open on Christmas morning — friends, neighbors, and strangers alike showed up to help us rebuild our lives.

That experience is why I feel so strongly about addressing homelessness in Marietta. It’s an issue that impacts not just those without shelter but the entire fabric of our community. Like many places across the country, our city is seeing more individuals and families struggling to find stable housing. Homelessness is a systemic problem that can impact people from all walks of life and strike when least expected. Case in point, devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have left entire neighborhoods displaced, demonstrating how quickly tragedy can uproot lives and force families into uncertainty. The City Council and administration face the difficult task of balancing competing interests, but at the heart of it all is a simple truth: we must ensure the safety and well-being of everyone, from homeowners and business owners to those living on the streets.

Out of that belief, I created the idea for the Marietta-Washington County Homelessness Task Force. Frustrated by the lack of collaboration among key stakeholders, I started this initiative as a private citizen, determined to bring people together to discuss solutions. Today, I’m proud to be a part of this effort as a representative of City Council, working to channel those conversations into action.

This task force isn’t about placing blame or offering quick fixes — it’s about building partnerships and finding practical, sustainable ways to lift up those in need while addressing the concerns of the broader community. I am pleased that there is already a substantial group of stakeholders from various sectors who have come on board and that these important conversations are going to continue. Homelessness is a complex challenge, but Marietta has shown before that we are a community of compassion, resilience, and ingenuity.

I invite everyone to support this effort, whether by offering ideas, lending your expertise, or simply supporting this critical work. Together, we can ensure that Marietta is a place where everyone has the opportunity to feel safe, valued, and part of something greater.

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