In 2017, Vancouver resident Lois Smith got the idea to put out a succinct print guide to resources and services for people experiencing homelessness. She’d been volunteering with Friends of the Carpenter, a faith-based nonprofit that runs a day center for people experiencing homelessness. She says the stories from the unhoused people she talked to stayed with her, and realized she could put something tangible into their hands to help direct them to services, shelter and other resources. She knew it had to be informed by the people she wanted to help and she wanted to be light, withstand rain, snow and heat.  

Smith now puts out the guides yearly as an independent project that is funded entirely by donations. They’re printed yearly in different colors, making it easier to tell which one is current. She says she works with local officials, law enforcement, social service agencies, churches and many others to make sure the content is useful - and gets into the hands of people who need it. Portland’s Street Roots puts out a similar paper guide, though not a waterproof one. Smith joins us to tell us more about how the guides are used in Vancouver and Clark County and how she sees the idea spreading.