The Humanity of Homelessness

In this episode, John Marshall sits down with peer support specialist and former Episcopal priest, Ruth Kruger, to trace a powerful arc from childhood trauma and poverty to a vocation of radical presence with neighbors navigating homelessness and housing insecurity. Ruth shares about growing up in a “ghetto” neighborhood of San Diego with an abusive, alcoholic father, a terrified younger self who...

At 6 years old, Juanita Savoy‑Nash was sleeping under a pickup truck, working fields for food, and going to school in clothes that smelled like the mattress she shared with her sisters. At 85, in the middle of chemotherapy and recently moved out of her camper van into her own apartment, she’s still finding ways to show up for her neighbors at Church at the Park —with rides, laundry, peanut butter...

At 16, Megan Perez grabbed the clothes on her back, boarded a train from Los Angeles to Salem, and stepped into a safe house closet that became her bed—and the start of a new life. In this episode, John Marshall sits down with Megan to trace her journey from a childhood marked by domestic violence, housing instability, and park-for-the-night survival, to becoming a youth pastor, case manager, prog...

In this episode, John Marshall sits down with Michelle Barnes , a former Church at the Park staff member whose journey has taken her from a chaotic childhood in Salem, through addiction, domestic violence, the loss of her children, and years of homelessness, to hard-won sobriety, stability, and service to others. Michelle shares candidly about surviving abuse, sex trafficking, multiple suicide att...

In this part two conversation with Church at the Park staff member Sterling Cunio, the Humanity of Homelessness digs into a single, urgent question: what does meaningful involvement actually look like when it comes to our neighbors experiencing homelessness? Picking up where the first episode left off, Sterling walks through “minimum, medium, and maximum” pathways of engagement—from simply learnin...

In this episode of The Humanity of Homelessness , John sits down with writer, organizer, and former Church at the Park storyteller Sterling Cunio to trace a life that spans suburban Texas, Salem’s streets, nearly three decades in prison, and a surprising new vocation: waging joy in hard places. Sterling reflects on losing his grandmother, becoming homeless as a teenager, committing a serious act o...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Bill Hardman, a staff member at Church at the Park’s family shelter site in Salem, Oregon. Bill shares his journey through decades of addiction, repeated incarceration, and homelessness, offering an inside look at the challenges faced by many in his community. With honesty and humor, Bill reflects on the vital role of trust, support, and consistency in heal...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Patrick Geier, a participant in Salem’s Safe Parking program. Patrick and his wife, Chantel, journeyed to Salem in search of stability after a lifetime of upheaval and hardship, including years of homelessness. With characteristic honesty and resilience, Patrick bravely details his childhood in Lubbock, Texas, marked by family trauma and constant relocat...

In this powerful episode of "The Humanity of Homelessness," we sit down with Aurora Granado, a single mother of five whose story is a testament to resilience, faith, and transformation. Aurora shares her journey through two experiences of homelessness, her path to recovery from addiction, and how finding her faith became the cornerstone of rebuilding her life. From a childhood marked by foster car...

In this episode of The Humanity of Homelessness , we sit down with Kyle Dickinson, the executive director of Salem Leadership Foundation. Kyle shares his personal journey—from his roots in Redding, California to his roles in ministry, fundraising, and community leadership. He reflects on formative moments that shaped his vision of community, belonging, and stewardship, weaving together stories of...

In this heartfelt episode of The Humanity of Homelessness podcast, host John Marshall sits down with Paul Fairchild, a case manager at Church at the Park’s family shelter in Salem, Oregon. Paul bravely opens up about his journey through homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and recovery. He shares personal stories from his upbringing in Tacoma, the instability he faced as a youth, and the hard l...

In this episode of The Humanity of Homelessness , host John Marshall sits down with internationally recognized peacemaker, faith leader, and activist Ben McBride. As co-founder of the Empower Initiative, Ben has dedicated his life to fostering radical belonging, building bridges across lines of difference, and guiding communities through conflict and polarization. Ben shares stories from his upbri...

In this powerful episode of The Humanity of Homelessness , John Marshall sits down with Maria Madariaga, Director of Programs at Church at the Park, for an honest and deeply moving conversation about resilience, healing, and the transformative power of community. Maria shares her journey from a childhood marked by domestic violence and instability in Los Angeles, through years of navigating the fo...

In our inaugural episode of "The Humanity of Homelessness," we sit down with DJ Vincent, founding pastor and CEO of Church at the Park in Salem, Oregon. DJ shares the remarkable journey from humble beginnings-hosting monthly potlucks in Cascades Gateway Park-to becoming a multimillion-dollar operation providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and comprehensive services to neighbors experien...

Welcome to The Humanity of Homelessness, a podcast from Church at the Park in Salem, Oregon. In each episode, we hear from a member of our community who is experiencing or has experienced homelessness. We invite them to share their story in their own words so that they and we, might remember their goodness, their courage, their hope, and their humanity.