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Sleeping Around Town

 Sleeping Around Town


“Sleeping Around the Village” has taken on a new and welcome meeting for Debbie & I. Walking in someone else’s shoes, even just to “Try them on” can only give me a cloudy glimpse into world of my neighbors who are homeless.  We had the comfort of people we know, and strangers we did not know check in on our well-being. Of course we relied on the fact that we do have a home to return to at the end of the night.  I have much more to reflect on this, and a short post cannot do justice on the impact of friends and caring strangers who were both “Present” and a present to us last night. Stay tuned to more reflections before the week is out.  Again thank you to all who joined us in this street ministry! God Bless! (Steve Yusko)



My wife, Deborah Thorman- Yusko knows a little bit about our homeless neighbors, and she has been able to dispel the prejudice I harbored in the essence of my ignorance. Last night was a blessing & an opportunity to “teach myself a lesson”. 




The Morning After: (By Debbie Thorman-Yusko)


We lasted outside on the sidewalk on Deer Park Ave, in Babylon Village until 3:30 am before we allowed our brains to take precedent over our hearts, and go home - we were just too DAMN COLD!!!! 


At our age (I’m 64 and Steve is 60) it just didn’t seem safe to fall asleep out there when we were already so cold. It was a wise decision , as we are still cold at 12:40 pm Sunday afternoon. 


It was a GREAT experience and we are glad we did it. We needed to ‘walk in the shoes’ of our homeless brothers & sisters to really understand what they need and how we can be of service to them.


We met so many wonderful people during last nights journey and enjoyed speaking to each of them. All were generous- from the dollar bills to the twenties and fifties we received, each person gave a part of themselves along with cash. This doesn’t even include the very generous donations we received from friends & strangers via VENMO and our Mailbox!


We would not have made it without their support and words of encouragement. 

Even the restaurant workers coming off shift offered us their  meals they were taking home for their own dinner! No kinder gesture ❤️. 


We had visits from concerned family and friends, checking on our welfare and encouraging us throughout the night. We enjoyed speaking to and laughing with so many young people throughout the night (in various ‘celebratory’ stages of a Saturday night😂)


It truly was a wonderful experience and I hope our conversations brought new awareness to the struggles of too many living in the shadows of our beautiful village. 

May the generosity we witnessed throughout the past few days continue on. 

* a personal side note - I myself never give money to a homeless person I meet . I ask their name, what they are most in need of , and try my best to fulfill their request as soon as I can locate the items. I always carry water and healthy non perishable food items in my car. 

Giving cash in many cases just fuels the fires that got them where they are. It’s better to come back with a slice of pizza, a coffee & roll, a pair of warm socks, gloves, etc. 

We are all here to help each other.


Original Post:


Steve & I are doing this to bring attention to the homeless population.


Thanksgiving Day for me always begins with a quiet reflection, before my feet hit the floor, of all the things I am most thankful for. Today is most special because my daughter Faith’s birthday falls on Thanksgiving, and she is my greatest blessing. I thank God for all His goodness and protection - my family wants for nothing. Yet there are so many in need of basic necessities - it breaks my heart. I find that my own ministry of delivering food and clothing to the homeless ( helped out by so many generous friends ) is just not enough as another cold winter approaches. I would really love to purchase some lightweight, compact, -30 degree sleeping bags for people who have to sleep outside. To bring attention to their plight, my husband Steve and I will be sleeping outside this Saturday, moving around  Babylon Village throughout the night seeking safety and shelter from the elements just as our homeless friends do. We will do this with no creature comforts - using only the clothing and blankets from my car that people have generously donated . To help us purchase these sleeping bags and other weather survival necessities,I  am reaching out to anyone who would like to contribute money for these purchases. (At this time storing other donation items is not possible due to space restrictions in our small home.)

Those who know me know that I am an honest, fiscally responsible person who will research the best prices and provide an accurate accounting of where donations went.

I fully acknowledge  the presence of the homeless is a controversial topic . The majority of the people I meet  are good people who have fallen on hard times. No one Chooses this lifestyle and no one should be hungry and cold. My prayer is that in this upcoming season of giving more people will open their hearts and let Mercy triumph over Judgement!❤️


During the early evening hours 7:00  - 11:00 

on Saturday anyone wishing to make cash or check donations  can find us in the area of the sidewalk around fitness incentive.


Please feel free to share this post  and my contact info for anyone who would like to contribute and obtain my mailing address or other ways to donate. (deb.thorman@gmail.com

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