By April N., Lead Storyteller If I created a word map of my conversation with James B., trust would be the word at the center, anchoring his story. Trust that is not automatic. Trust that grows. Trust that is a…

By April N., Lead Storyteller The Lady Gloria Ridge community room is an extension of home for residents. A place where neighbors can share life together. Just as each individual home is decorated with the sacred belongings of residents, the…

My name is Vinny, I am the Lead Peer Support Specialist at the Haywood Street Respite. I am someone with lived experience directly parallel to a lot of the folks I am currently serving. I spent a large portion of…

  by April N. – Lead Storyteller As Enoch and I visited, the Respite dining room was buzzing with activity. Mia and Doug were getting to know one another over coloring pages and pastries. Someone needed help with the television…

By April N. – Lead Storyteller The first thing I notice when I enter Ricky’s apartment is a row of carefully curated objects arranged on a quilt displayed in his living room. The quilt is made of red, white, and…

by April N., Lead Storyteller “My name means the world,” Trokon told me as we sat together recently at Haywood Street Respite. By the time we got to this part of the conversation he had already shared that he has…

  A Safe Space to Talk about Life: A History of the Haywood St. Salon by April N., Lead Storyteller When I am giving tours of the church, one of the biggest “wows” I get is when guests round the…

by April N., Lead Storyteller Through the years I’ve been at Haywood Street, I’ve had many teachers and Rachel has been one of them. She has taught me that I don’t have to be the gatekeeper of sugar and ice…

Over the Next Mountain, Around the Next Bend by April N., Lead Storyteller Richard was one of the first to arrive to the Haywood St. garden a couple of Wednesdays ago. He sat at a picnic table with a cup…

Remarks from Teresa Stephens given at the Building Consecration for Lady Gloria Ridge, 10-21-2025 It is a true honor to stand before you today at the consecration of Lady Gloria Ridge Community. This moment marks not just the unveiling of…

An Interview with Michel by April N., Lead Storyteller To understand Michel’s journey to Haywood Street a few helpful items to have on hand are: a map of the world; a guitar, bass or keyboard; found objects and glue; and…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Thank you for allowing me to be a Franciscan presence at the Haywood Street Congregation for the past 3 years. As a Franciscan friar, I am to be open to the direction of the…

On an unseasonably warm February afternoon, a circle of people gathered to bless the ground where apartment homes would be built. Around the circle were council members, county commissioners, police officers, educators, pastors, neighbors, non-profit directors, people without a permanent…

Try It One More Time by April N., Lead Storyteller When the rain finally subsided last Monday morning I stepped away from my desk to take a walk. Will was outside sitting on the wall that runs the length of…

Ten Weeks of Welcome by Lauren K. I know that when I look back on the summer of 2025, I will do so with deep gratitude and joy for my time at the Haywood St. Congregation. Though I’ve only spent…

Comedy and Prophecy by April N. I have a folder of jokes on my phone – screenshots of puns I see on the internet. Some would call them corny. Some would call them Dad jokes. Regardless of the criticism, they…

Lady Gloria Howard Free – A Namesake By El S., Storyteller and Communications Intern   Gloria Howard Free, also known as Lady Gloria Free, is the namesake for the first Haywood Street Community Development (HSCD) affordable housing community. The Lady…

Art in the Alley Update   Art in The Alley has been up and running for six months now! The Bleu Room opens every Wednesday from 10 am to 1 pm as an oasis for all amid the hustle and…

“Too suspect,” they said about our vision for urban ministry. “Won’t work. You can’t do church alongside congregants grappling with mental illness and addiction. Similar faith-based agencies already exist. The demographic studies don’t justify the risk. Therefore, we’ve rescinded the…

Simple Tasks. Meaningful Connection. By Brenda C., Respite Companion   Well, look who’s here! Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to do the laundry from Wednesday’s Welcome Table, not wanting the staff to deal with the stinky mess when they…

  Pain By Gina, God’s Butterfly   My pains and aches are very hard to deal with, my Lovies, but the sadness in eyes hurts my heart to see. I don’t know where my journey is headed, but I’m on…

A New Year’s Reflection on Gratitude and Hope By Laura K., Executive Director   We are beginning the new year full of hope and gratitude. Gratitude for the many companions, contributors, and partners who helped sustain us during a tumultuous…

God’s Love Runs Wild By El S., Storyteller and Communications Intern   On a dreary mid-November morning, I entered Respite for a companion shift. Our community remained without potable water and was still reeling from the impact of Tropical Storm…

Annual Report Extended: Life Story of the Welcome Table This Community Stories series will continue through the end of this year, extending the stories shared in “This Wednesday,” the 2024 Annual Report. To access the annual report, click here.   The kitchen hums…

Annual Report Extended: Art Ministry This Community Stories series will continue through the end of this year, extending the stories shared in “This Wednesday,” the 2024 Annual Report. To access the annual report, click here.   Walking into the Bleu Room, you smell…

Annual Report Extended: Respite This Community Stories series will continue through the end of this year, extending the stories shared in “This Wednesday,” the 2024 Annual Report. To access the annual report, click here.   The smell of corned beef…

Beyond a Golf Invitation by Melanee R. The invitation to participate in Haywood Street’s first golf tournament was hand-delivered and personalized just for them. Although Angel and Keith were both far removed from a world that spent leisurely weekends at…

Theologian Frederick Buechner is credited with saying, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” When considering Haywood Street as the place, and Laura Kirby and Dave Holland as…

Golfing to Break Barriers Lead Storyteller Melanee R. When a small group of passionate Haywood Street committee members first discussed the plans for a golf event, several local courses were considered to host the annual tournament. Knowing the sport’s characteristic…

A tribute is a gift, a statement, or form of admiration towards something. I could never give back to Haywood in any amount of words, gifts, or shown amounts of gratitude for the blessings they have given me, and not…