I turn 40 on May 30th.

And honestly, I’m doing something that feels really scary to me.

I’m asking our community to help me raise $40,000 for the Homeless Resource Center.

That number feels huge. It feels vulnerable to even say out loud. But it’s also the reality of this work.

Helping people costs money.

Keeping the doors open costs money.

Creating spaces where people can shower, do laundry, find food, community, recovery, hope, safety, dignity, and human connection costs money.

And I believe with everything in me that it is worth it.

I have given my life to this work. Not because it’s easy, but because people matter. Because I believe every person has worth. Because I believe community changes lives. Because I’ve seen people who felt forgotten begin to believe they matter again.

Our 2026 operating budget is $360,000.

We now have a staff of 6 people and we care for hundreds of guests every single week.

At this point, we receive no city or county funding.

That means this place literally exists because people choose to help us make it exist.

I am the only fundraiser we have. There’s not a development department behind this. There’s not a big marketing team.

So I rely on telling stories.
I rely on showing impact.
And honestly, I rely on vulnerability.

This is that.

I’m asking you to help us continue building something that is changing lives in Lawrence every single day.

I want HRC to stay open.
I want it to grow.
I want it to be here for years to come.

So for my 40th birthday, I’m asking for help raising $40,000.

Whether you give $10, $40, $400, or simply share this with others, you become part of this story.

Thank you for doing what you do so we can do what we do.

This is what community looks like.

DaretoHope