Seattle Times homeless series spurs offers of help

A retired military man said he was so moved by the circumstances of a homeless mother and son living in their truck that he wanted to give them $1,000 — but didn't want them to know who he was.

Meanwhile, employers called or e-mailed with offers of household furniture, cash and employment for Cherie Moore and Cody Barnes, whose story of homelessness was the focus of an article that anchored a three-day series on family homelessness last week in The Seattle Times.

The captain of a Washington state ferry offered a free boat ride to Kim Ahern and her son, Jack, who spent weeks living in Nickelsville, the only local homeless camp that accepts children for extended periods.

The videos, photos and news stories that were part of the "Invisible Families" series featured a cross section of area families at different stages of homelessness. Readers e-mailed, called and tweeted with all kinds of suggestions and offers to help.

Many had ideas for housing the homeless, like the former Iowa resident who said across this country farmhouses sit empty after owners move out and there should be a way to use them to house people here.

Bill Ramos, a 15-year veteran of Microsoft, e-mailed with an idea he wants to pursue of providing housing for the homeless in empty big-box stores.

He connected with Moore and her son because on some level he imagines that could be him, his wife and his dog in that truck.

"I think that story caught me at a weak moment," Ramos said. "My wife thinks I'm nuts."

In the days since the series ran, Barnes, 18, has accepted a job with Arcadia Metals, an aluminum fabricating company in Kent. But he and his mother have graciously declined other offers of help — including cash.

Moore says, "We'll be OK."

Those who want to help homeless families in general can do so in several ways. Many agencies, churches and organizations assist the homeless and accept cash or material donations, and many use volunteers.

It's recommended you call or contact them directly to find out what their most pressing needs are and how best you might contribute.

Many of these organizations also are supported through United Way — so you can also direct a United Way donation to a specific agency serving the homeless.

You can find a link to a partial list of organizations that work with the homeless at seattletimes.com.

Lornet Turnbull: 206-464-2420 or lturnbull@seattletimes.com