07/16/2026
Yesterday was supposed to be a day of celebration.
We set out to visit our client, Dawn, with the news we had been praying to deliver: a housing referral had finally come through. After four years of living on the streets, there was finally hope for a place to call home.
Instead, we arrived to find her encampment surrounded by police tape.
Dawn was originally from Colorado. She had experienced homelessness for four years and struggled with addiction. She refused to stay in shelters because of a traumatic assault she had experienced while in one. Like so many people living unsheltered, her story was complicated, painful, and deeply human.
At this time, we do not know the cause of her death.
People experiencing homelessness face significantly higher mortality rates than the general population. Exposure to the elements, untreated medical conditions, violence, addiction, and the daily hardships of surviving without stable housing all contribute to lives that are too often cut tragically short. Behind every statistic is a person with a name, a story, and immeasurable value.
Our hearts are broken because we came so close. We narrowly missed the opportunity to see Dawn walk through the door of a home of her own.
Yet even in our grief, we hold tightly to hope. We find peace in believing that Dawn is finally home with our Lord Jesus Christ, where there is no more suffering, fear, or pain. Dawn prayed with our staff pastors and had a relationship with Christ, of that we are certain.
Dawn’s life will not be forgotten. Her story reminds us why this work matters. It compels us to keep showing up, to keep searching the streets, to keep building relationships, and to find the next Dawn before it’s too late.
Please pray for everyone who knew and loved Dawn. Pray for those who are still sleeping outside tonight. And pray for the strength, urgency, and compassion to continue this mission.
Every day matters. Every person matters. Every life is worth fighting for. 💙
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Rev 21:4