I work at Simpson Housing Services' overnight shelter in south Minneapolis. Each night, 66 adult men and women experiencing homelessness occupy mats in a church basement. Last week, we were able to give one of these mats to a 73-year-old man who had been living on the street much of this past winter. Disturbingly, he's not the oldest person sleeping at our shelter — his 36- by 72-inch mat lies on a concrete floor near two octogenarians, 81 and 83 years old, one with early-stage dementia, the other assisted by a walker. This should not be. What does this say about our capacity to love our neighbor and make a way for everyone in our community?
John Vodicka, Minneapolis
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Opinion
Mara Gay
How 'the Squad' and like-minded progressives have changed their party
"People want a Democratic Party that fights."
the Editorial Board of the Los Angeles Times
Protect kids online
Efforts underway in a number of states to protect young users of social media deserve support.
Opinion
Becka Thompson
Here's how I'd broadly frame the environment that led to my firing as a teacher
Children deserve our best, and we are not giving it.
Annette Meeks
Get rid of Minnesota's precinct caucuses, go to primary elections up and down the ballot
What is perceived as a grassroots engagement of average citizens actually isn't in practice.