The “Conversations on a Bench” event kicked off promptly at 3 p.m. on January 22, 2025, with our CEO, Steven M. Whitaker, sharing information about the Mission as a whole and what we do. Steven spoke about the Mission’s history, our purpose, and the important role we play in addressing the challenges of homelessness, addiction and mental health in our community.
He also highlighted the goal of the event: to create awareness and foster meaningful discussions about these pressing issues that impact so many lives in our city and country. Over the next 24 hours, the bench at our Downtown Shelter became a place of connection and conversation.
Guests, community partners, city officials and even Mission recovery students came by to ask thoughtful questions and discuss topics important to them. From systemic challenges to the personal stories of success and struggle, each conversation offered new insights, encouraged collaboration, and emphasized the need for collective action to create lasting change.
Jan 2025
