Mother and daughter relive homelessness for one night at the Shoreline Sleep Out

Shoreline residents Susan Talbot and her mother Peggy
will relive some old, hard times
to help other mothers and daughters

By Peggy Talbot

When I was 16 in the 1970s, I lived with my mother and stepfather in a camper, mounted on the back of an old pickup. We parked wherever we could find a broad spot on a country road, bathed in public restrooms, ate food from a grocery deli for 18 months.

We know personally how difficult it is to live out of a vehicle, without the availability of heat, running water or a place to fix a hot meal. We know what it's like to be confronted and chased off as vagrants.

So when we heard about the Shoreline Sleep Out, my 85-year-old mother and I immediately signed up. As we toured the partially completed apartments at Jacob's Well, Mother said over and over "Oh, how wonderful," imagining herself as a homeless mother, invited to move into a private and secure 2-bedroom unit.

We will be "homeless" together again for a night to contribute to the end of homelessness for another mother and child.


The Shoreline Sleep Out is a project of the Shoreline Covenant Church at N 185th and Ashworth Ave N, to raise funds for Jacob's Well, a transitional housing facility being built in Shoreline for homeless women and children. Women of the church will sleep in tents in the church parking lot Friday night, taking donations from family and friends.

To make a donation or pledge please contact Pastor Erika Haub: 206-542-1050.