Terence Lester

"Escaping poverty among the physical barriers is difficult, but with the added emotional toll, it’s almost impossible. It’s not as simple as we’d like to think."

- Terence Lester

"Fear is dangerous. It creates an environment in which it’s acceptable to treat those experiencing poverty and homelessness with anger and hate. The first step to stopping this is to realize that this fear is unfounded and dangerous."

- Terence Lester

"Reminder: Being hateful towards people going through homelessness and poverty doesn’t solve homelessness and poverty."

- Terence Lester

"From the comfort of our own homes it's hard to understand the complexities of something like poverty and homelessness."

- Terence Lester

"Having an open mind means learning to add more to our already existing beliefs about affirming dignity of those who are impoverished."

- Terence Lester

"When it comes to homelessness, you’ve got to ask yourself, ‘Does my behavior towards those without an address contribute to the invisibility that they face daily?’ If your answer is yes, it might be time to change how you see those without an address."

- Terence Lester

"When you look down on someone visibly suffering because they are experiencing poverty or homelessness, it does not prove how great you are; instead, it reveals how much inner suffering you are experiencing within."

- Terence Lester

"Altogether, if we are committed to doing this heart and mind work, we may encounter new people or ideas."

- Terence Lester

"‘Everyone is welcome’ is drastically different from “we built this with you in mind.” People do not want to go where they are merely tolerated; they want to go where they are included."

- Terence Lester

"I think the real power of social change comes through the power of community. That when I offer my gifts and skill sets in collaboration with other people who were being responsible for the role they play in the larger fabric of social change, then together we make a difference."

- Terence Lester

"The empowerment, the affirmation of the dignity of all people, is that which makes true community. it is that which helps make every member flourish."

- Terence Lester