1. How did you meet Paul and get acquainted with WRAP?
I met Paul during his days at the Coalition on Homelessness, when I was a young and impressionable newbie at Hospitality House. Paul’s journey had started at Hospitality House, first as a shelter resident and then as a shelter worker back when modern-day homelessness as we know it was just beginning. I believe the Coalition – and then WRAP – were born out of his experiences at the House and his determination to fight the systems that he knew were broken. If only the powers-that-be in DC would have listened to Paul, Joe Wilson, and their contemporaries back in the 80s, we wouldn’t be in the seemingly intractable mess we’re in today.
2. What in your opinion is the role/expertise WRAP plays in this moment after 40 years of modern-day houselessness and growing criminalization – but also the growing movement of radical organizations and people’s movements fighting for the world we want?
I believe Paul’s lived experiences and kickass leadership at Hospitality House and the Coalition on Homelessness compelled and prepared him to lead the nationally-focused advocacy and policy work of WRAP. Paul has never, ever forgotten where he came from and what his experiences were living on the streets, and he since then has essentially watched the federal government fail time and time again to listen to the people who know what it takes to end homelessness. He somehow never gives up. He never says “fuck this, I’m out.” (Well, he does say “fuck” quite a lot – like every other sentence – but he never says the “I’m out” part 🙂
WRAP is the only nationally-focused collaborative organization I know of that is advocating for homelessness policies that come directly from people experiencing homelessness. It focuses not only on the need for real housing as a solution, but also on calling out the criminalization of people experiencing homelessness that is plaguing our communities. WRAP brings together powerful, dynamic people; centers people most impacted by the problems we are facing; and advocates for bold solutions in the face of relentless roadblocks and power grabs. WRAP and its member organizations have the trust of community and people experiencing homelessness over the long haul, and that is something to be incredibly proud of an energize by.
3. Paul has also been doing this for 40 years – Want to send a love message to Paul – about his impact on your work – and/or about his impact overall?
Do I want to send a love message to Paul? Absolutely, I do!
To my mentor and friend Paul Boden:
When I recently did the math, I realized that I met you about 13 years into your work with Hospitality House and then the Coalition. This was a bit surprising. At the time, it seemed to me you had been doing it forever. You were one of the first people I met in San Francisco who was a do or die advocate. You had lived it, and you were not messing around. The first time I met you was when you were a guest speaker at a Hospitality House all-staff meeting. You had just come from an all-nighter at Golden Gate Park, where the mayor had ordered sweeps. You were tired from being up all night, had on a rad sweatshirt (that was kind of dirty), and you swore like a sailor. I had never experienced a guest speaker quite like you before! You had real truths to tell, and you were going to tell them, for fuck’s sake! I knew then that Hospitality House was the real deal — if I was ever meant to do anything meaningful in this work, this was where it was going to be. And I was going to be held to the highest accountability while doing it.
Little did I know how hard that would be. I met you in 1995, and the next 22 years would prove to be a test of my commitment and fortitude.
I have had Paul Boden on my shoulder whispering in my ear for 27 years and counting and am all the better for it.
Love you big, Paul!
Jackie
