REDDING, Calif. \u2014 Good News Rescue Mission CEO Jonathan Anderson is spending 24 hours on a bench, available to talk to anyone.<\/p>\n
He is part of a nationwide initiative where several hundred rescue mission CEOs are also spending 24 hours on benches to engage in conversations about various topics, including homelessness, addiction and mental illness.<\/p>\n
Anderson emphasized that the goal is not to seek agreement but to foster understanding without animosity. <\/p>\n
“We don’t have to have anything in common, any of that. What we need to do is just be able to have a civil conversation with the intention that at the end relationship’s been developed. And so if we as a community can break down stereotypes, break down stigmas, have conversations with each other, build relationships through disagreements, man, how much healing is brought to our society as a whole,” said Anderson.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He invites community members to stop by for a conversation and perhaps bring some hot coffee. Anderson will remain on the bench until noon tomorrow.<\/p>\n
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