After a long hiatus, here’s a new episode of Facing Homelessness, the podcast from Speak Up.

Stay tuned for new unscripted conversations, interviews, and original work from homeless writers—read by volunteer readers and the authors themselves.

For this installment, Mark Hansen reads “Junkyard Angels” by Dustin LaPres.

"Life on the street can be dangerous. There is theft, often among our own (homeless). If you can imagine stealing from another who has so little. There is violence. This often accompanies theft. Violence against our brothers and sisters. There is sexual assault. Rape. Unfortunately, this is almost commonplace."

For the third episode of the Facing Homelessness podcast, Ann Nelson reads “Unmentionables” by Renee Rop.

Visit Speak Up to read this piece and others by people facing homelessness.

"When I was alone—sleeping alone in public, collecting dirt in layers and becoming more convinced that no one cared at all—my largest concern was cleanliness. I didn’t want to look homeless and dirty. I didn’t want to stink and repel people." —Matt Hoffman

For the second episode of the Facing Homelessness podcast, Isaac Shaw reads “Staying Clean” by Matt Hoffman.

Visit Speak Up to read this piece and others by people facing homelessness.

Welcome to the first episode of the Speak Up podcast: Facing Homelessness!

This essay was written by Jennifer and is read by longtime Speak Up friend and partner Peggi Knowe.

Read the original work on Speak Up, along with other stories from people facing homelessness.