Breakfast at Sally's School Program
Donation protected
Dear Friend of Homeless Teenagers--
My name is Richard LeMieux and I wrote the autobiographical book Breakfast at Sally's, a Homeless Man's Inspirational Journey , which has inspired thousands of people to act compassionately on behalf of the homeless. In its twelfth edition now, having sold more than eighty thousand copies, and translated into other languages, it remains uncommonly highly regarded, nationally.
After falling quickly from business success into late life homelessness myself for 3 years, I wrote the book to chronicle my own journey, and introduce you to some wonderful homeless people and other "street-level angels" who helped me along the way. Against all odds, the book was published from a hand-typed manuscript cobbled together at park benches during those three years. I've since been able to get housing and support for the last 8 years through income from the book, outreach honoraria, and donations from a variety of sources. I have devoted this time to speaking about the homeless in many diverse venues. I've assisted, often as a keynote speaker, in helping to raise millions for homeless causes, including multiple new shelters, building renovation fund drives, and new foodbanks being started, along with inspiring individuals and groups to begin assisting the homeless on a regular basis.
I now live frugally in a basement apartment, and am devoted to this mission, though at my age it's still a scramble to stay on top of my day to day living expenses, as too many of us are very familiar with! Too many of us are, unfortunately, living uncomfortably close to becoming homeless ourselves, and many of my best friends remain in those kinds of circumstances. You have to know their stories in order to understand.
We are facing a hidden social crisis with regards to homelessness --young, school-age children and teens, in record numbers, are caught up in homelessness. On average, one in every twenty-eight school-age children are homeless in Washington state, with comparable numbers nationally. They are often too cautious to tell their classmates or school officials.
This is why I am asking you for help in continuing to reach kids, in my most important work. Because my book is included in the curriculum of many schools, and because of its word of mouth reputation, and great reception among teens, it is often a treasured favorite --and I get invited to speak to school classes and assemblies, in regular and alternative high schools, or to juvenile detention centers, and to church youth groups, about the problems associated with homelessness which the book raises.
In many cases, I am the only outside speaker to address the serious issues of youth homelessness and suicide awareness in these venues, and I try to do as many as I can without asking for financial assistance, myself. This gets the issues out in the open among peers, and often, marvelously deep changes take place in student attitudes and their willingness to assist those in crisis.
It's important and timely work, as teen homelessness and suicide are at all-time highs in so many cities and counties across the United States. We need to turn that tide, and bring willing "shoe leather" into play.
Over the years, I have spoken extensively to Kitsap County schools, from Kingston to Gig Harbor, and to a number of other schools spread across King County, Washington state, and beyond.
I tell the students they are my most important audience, because they are our country's future --and they can begin making it better by helping to truly care for those in need, by turning their attention to what they have to offer, instead of what they don't have yet. I tell them all about my own brushes with homelessness, and with wanting to commit suicide, from which I was pulled back from the edge by my sweet dog, Willow. I tell them they will face both failures and successes --even outright adversity and losses, during their lives --but that, with help, they can overcome anything. Kids need to know that there are vast numbers of people who care about them, no matter what their circumstances, and who want to help.
I tell them about The Coffee Oasis, where they stand up for kids, and are full of wonderful staff who are ready to help kids in crisis. I tell them about the 2-1-1 helpline and crisis phone number they can always call. I tell them they must stay in school, and invest in their own future, educationally.
The result? I have been doing this for a number of years now, and often run into young people who say things like, "Mr. Lemieux, you came and spoke to me when I was in juvy, and you told me I could be Mayor someday. Because of you, I'm in college now" and "Do you remember coming to Peninsula High School? Because of you, Mr. Lemieux, I quit drugs and I am now back in a home."
And so, I come to you, my friends, to ask for help defraying my living and travel expenses, for the cost of preparing and distributing printed material to the students, and for making the necessary speaking arrangements --so that I can stay on mission. So often, the teachers themselves offer assistance, but I always hope to be able to turn them down; they do so much already!
Instead, I ask for financial assistance from good people like you, who come to a site like this looking for how to strategically invest their philanthropy.
Thank you, in advance, for your help, which allows me to continue investing in our students --and in their future generations --by walking with them through the challenging life issues that too many of our kids and their peers are having to face at such a young age. It is for them to learn, as with all of us, how to remain hopeful --and even optimistic --despite the pressing and immediate circumstances we all face.
In the meantime; Peace! Be Safe.
Richard LeMieux
Other Ways to Follow Up:
Richard LeMieux Facebook profile (Like me)
Breakfast at Sally's Facebook page (Like my book)
For a quick video of my story, see the links here:
Salvation Army NW Interview with Richard LeMieux
Richard LeMieux on Homelessness
Homelessness and Poverty
Salvation Army Speaker
My name is Richard LeMieux and I wrote the autobiographical book Breakfast at Sally's, a Homeless Man's Inspirational Journey , which has inspired thousands of people to act compassionately on behalf of the homeless. In its twelfth edition now, having sold more than eighty thousand copies, and translated into other languages, it remains uncommonly highly regarded, nationally.
After falling quickly from business success into late life homelessness myself for 3 years, I wrote the book to chronicle my own journey, and introduce you to some wonderful homeless people and other "street-level angels" who helped me along the way. Against all odds, the book was published from a hand-typed manuscript cobbled together at park benches during those three years. I've since been able to get housing and support for the last 8 years through income from the book, outreach honoraria, and donations from a variety of sources. I have devoted this time to speaking about the homeless in many diverse venues. I've assisted, often as a keynote speaker, in helping to raise millions for homeless causes, including multiple new shelters, building renovation fund drives, and new foodbanks being started, along with inspiring individuals and groups to begin assisting the homeless on a regular basis.
I now live frugally in a basement apartment, and am devoted to this mission, though at my age it's still a scramble to stay on top of my day to day living expenses, as too many of us are very familiar with! Too many of us are, unfortunately, living uncomfortably close to becoming homeless ourselves, and many of my best friends remain in those kinds of circumstances. You have to know their stories in order to understand.
We are facing a hidden social crisis with regards to homelessness --young, school-age children and teens, in record numbers, are caught up in homelessness. On average, one in every twenty-eight school-age children are homeless in Washington state, with comparable numbers nationally. They are often too cautious to tell their classmates or school officials.
This is why I am asking you for help in continuing to reach kids, in my most important work. Because my book is included in the curriculum of many schools, and because of its word of mouth reputation, and great reception among teens, it is often a treasured favorite --and I get invited to speak to school classes and assemblies, in regular and alternative high schools, or to juvenile detention centers, and to church youth groups, about the problems associated with homelessness which the book raises.
In many cases, I am the only outside speaker to address the serious issues of youth homelessness and suicide awareness in these venues, and I try to do as many as I can without asking for financial assistance, myself. This gets the issues out in the open among peers, and often, marvelously deep changes take place in student attitudes and their willingness to assist those in crisis.
It's important and timely work, as teen homelessness and suicide are at all-time highs in so many cities and counties across the United States. We need to turn that tide, and bring willing "shoe leather" into play.
Over the years, I have spoken extensively to Kitsap County schools, from Kingston to Gig Harbor, and to a number of other schools spread across King County, Washington state, and beyond.
I tell the students they are my most important audience, because they are our country's future --and they can begin making it better by helping to truly care for those in need, by turning their attention to what they have to offer, instead of what they don't have yet. I tell them all about my own brushes with homelessness, and with wanting to commit suicide, from which I was pulled back from the edge by my sweet dog, Willow. I tell them they will face both failures and successes --even outright adversity and losses, during their lives --but that, with help, they can overcome anything. Kids need to know that there are vast numbers of people who care about them, no matter what their circumstances, and who want to help.
I tell them about The Coffee Oasis, where they stand up for kids, and are full of wonderful staff who are ready to help kids in crisis. I tell them about the 2-1-1 helpline and crisis phone number they can always call. I tell them they must stay in school, and invest in their own future, educationally.
The result? I have been doing this for a number of years now, and often run into young people who say things like, "Mr. Lemieux, you came and spoke to me when I was in juvy, and you told me I could be Mayor someday. Because of you, I'm in college now" and "Do you remember coming to Peninsula High School? Because of you, Mr. Lemieux, I quit drugs and I am now back in a home."
And so, I come to you, my friends, to ask for help defraying my living and travel expenses, for the cost of preparing and distributing printed material to the students, and for making the necessary speaking arrangements --so that I can stay on mission. So often, the teachers themselves offer assistance, but I always hope to be able to turn them down; they do so much already!
Instead, I ask for financial assistance from good people like you, who come to a site like this looking for how to strategically invest their philanthropy.
Thank you, in advance, for your help, which allows me to continue investing in our students --and in their future generations --by walking with them through the challenging life issues that too many of our kids and their peers are having to face at such a young age. It is for them to learn, as with all of us, how to remain hopeful --and even optimistic --despite the pressing and immediate circumstances we all face.
In the meantime; Peace! Be Safe.
Richard LeMieux
Other Ways to Follow Up:
Richard LeMieux Facebook profile (Like me)
Breakfast at Sally's Facebook page (Like my book)
For a quick video of my story, see the links here:
Salvation Army NW Interview with Richard LeMieux
Richard LeMieux on Homelessness
Homelessness and Poverty
Salvation Army Speaker
Organizer
Richard LeMieux
Organizer
Bremerton, WA