05/31/2026
homeFIRE:
C**t and Tara, and their dog Dede, are homeless living in a tent, tucked away in a small greenbelt. At their tent entrance they have a 10'x10' canopy tent with mesh sidewalls that serves as an entry, living room, and kitchen.
The evening before last a couple came to them just before dark. They asked if they could sleep the night in the front room canopy tent. They had no place to go.
Despite being strangers, C**t and Tara agreed, moving stuff around to make room for them to lie down. They also placed a few candles on the table so their new friends could get things arranged.
Everyone fell asleep. Nobody put the candles out.
At about 2:30 AM C**t and Tara awoke to their dog barking and the woman guest screaming "FIRE!" An entire side wall of the canopy and the back of the cushion chair were ablaze.
It was total pandemonium in the dark! Everyone running on adrenaline. They pulled as much as they could away from the fire while throwing milk and orange juice to douse it.
They were seconds from everything going up in flames.
The next morning I met C**t and Tara for the first time. A burnt plastic smell was still hanging in the air. Miracuously nobody was hurt and nobody was playing the blame game.
We are asking the Facing Homelessness community to help purchase C**t and Tara a new 10'x10' canopy for their kindness given to two strangers in need. They run around $125.00 plus tax.
https://givebutter.com/canopy-tent-for-colt-tara-ckvnuc
I told C**t and Tara they are beautiful together. They smiled. C**t said, "I can't see my life without this woman." Not to be left out, Tara shared, "We have been together for over a year now and despite being married before, it is the first time in my life I have not felt alone."
Both C**t and Tara have plenty of issues going on in their life, lots of trauma. Together they are getting through it.
At the end of our visit, Tara shared, "One thing that would really be beautiful would be if C**t could get a guitar. It grounds him, it makes everything work for him. He hasn't had one for a bit."
I looked over at C**t, his head was down, but he was smiling, and said, "Yeah, that's very true, a guitar would really help me."
Northgate Neighborhood | Rex
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