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PHOENIX \u2014 The founder of a Valley non-profit that works every week to feed and clothe people experiencing homelessness says the most important part of their service is compassion.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s according to executive director of \u201cCloud Covered Streets\u201d Robert Thornton.<\/p>\n
The organization provides mobile showers, haircuts, food and more in partnership with local churches like New City Church, and the Philips Law Foundation.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve also operated since 2016.<\/p>\n
But Thornton says what really matters is the love they share and efforts to build a community among the local unhoused population.<\/p>\n
He says, \u201cBecause if you don\u2019t have that, you stand no shot of taking yourself from your current situation to a better life.\u201d<\/p>\n
He believes that element is also at times missing from the Valley\u2019s more large-scale, city or county level efforts that provide shelter or other assistance to people on the streets.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo many of the places that they do go, they\u2019re only allowed to be there until somebody kicks them out,\u201d Thornton added.<\/p>\n
Impact of Valley non-profit\u2019s help toward homeless<\/p>\n
That approach has helped people like Sylvester Hunter, an unhoused man who benefited from the service of Cloud Covered Streets.<\/p>\n
While Hunter may stay in Laveen nowadays, he still takes a bus to attend the non-profit\u2019s Phoenix events and see his friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the companionship, to be around other people. They can share and talk to you and feel for [you],\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Thornton also says they try to hire those they help, with three people currently experiencing homelessness also now earning a paycheck from Cloud Covered Streets.<\/p>\n
He explains: \u201cA couple weeks later they\u2019re just walking around and carrying themselves completely differently. Just because they have responsibility and people that count on them, it\u2019s been a long time since some of them have had that in their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Overall, Thornton say compassion is not optional but an essential part of solving homelessness and getting people into a better spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to the amount of respect and kindness we show these people, we don\u2019t have problems,\u201d he says explaining people had told him to hire an off-duty cop for his events, which he declined.<\/p>\n
For people who have been on the streets like Sylvester Hunter, the solution that will make the biggest difference is more housing.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot just clothing and food but housing,\u201d clarifying he doesn\u2019t mean shelters nor shared spaces but actual, private apartments.<\/p>\n
As Cloud Covered Streets continues its work every day, they are looking for support.<\/p>\n
You can head to and learn more about donations and volunteer opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re living your life in a manner where you\u2019re not trying to make somebody else\u2019s life better, then you\u2019re missing the point,\u201d Thornton adds.<\/p>\n
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