By Lynelle Wilcox - Special to Salem Reporter
Lynelle Wilcox has served people experiencing homelessness in Salem for six years - initially volunteering at warming centers and homeless events. As people shared their stories through the years, she saw how much a smile and hello can create commonality, connection, and sometimes hope. And hope can change everything. She writes about some of the things she’s learned along the way, and shares some of the stories. She adores her kids, and loves vivid colors, cats, happy clothes, music, cooking, skies, dogs, and daisies
COLUMN: Reflections on Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day
Columnist Lynelle Wilcox shares memories of Salem residents she's known who have died while homeless. Salem City Council declared Dec. 21 Homeless Persons Memorial Day.
COLUMN: I run a shelter. Here’s why people can’t always stay in them.
Columnist Lynelle Wilcox, who runs the Safe Sleep United shelter, shares stories from her day-to-day work with homeless Salemites.
COLUMN: Why some might poop in doorways
Columnist and homeless advocate Lynelle Wilcox shares what she's learned from conversations with homeless Salemites about using the bathroom.
COLUMN: Mental illness isn’t as simple as “Why don’t they just…?”
Columnist and homeless advocate Lynelle Wilcox shares stories from homeless women about the challenges of finding and staying on psychiatric medication.
COLUMN: Grace and lingering questions as teenager sentenced for murdering homeless man
Columnist and homeless advocate Lynelle Wilcox reflects on sitting through a teenager's sentencing hearing after he admitted to beating a homeless Salem man to death.
COLUMN: “Success” can be housing, or remembering a favorite color
Lynelle Wilcox, SafeSleep United's director, shares success stories large and small from a year serving more unsheltered women and kids in Salem.
COLUMN: The warriors living on Salem’s streets
Columnist Lynelle WIlcox, who runs the SafeSleep United shelter in Salem, shares two recent stories from people she's met living unsheltered in Salem.
COLUMN: A reflection on gratitude after talking to a drug dealer
Columnist Lynelle WIlcox, who runs the SafeSleep United shelter in Salem, writes about a brief moment of perfection while trying to help a woman stay clean.
COLUMN: Lessons on silence and showers from a psych eval
Columnist Lynelle Wilcox recounts sitting in on a psych evaluation for a woman with schizophrenia, and how it changed her perspective.
COLUMN: The “endless benefits” of being homeless
Columnist Lynelle Wilcox responds to a comment she heard about the "endless benefits" people get while homeless. Wilcox manages the Safe Sleep United shelter.