Living under a Bridge Doesn't Stop This Seattle Homeless Woman from Staying Positive.

A few months back I logged onto Facebook and was greeted by a smiling homeless woman's selfie in front of a tent holding up a cup of coffee. It was captioned "good morning." Today, I met Manda at her homeless encampment where she made me a cup of coffee!

Most of the time I meet homeless people in person on the streets or in a homeless shelter. Then we often connect online and become friends. Manda and I became friends online first. I got to know her a little before seeing how she survives homelessness. I am having a hard time processing it all. Lots of emotions both good and bad right now!

Manda is an amazing woman. She is disabled from severe brain trauma, yet because she is high functioning, she falls through the gaps in the safety net. I have been working with her trying to help find a path out of homelessness, but the walls bureaucracy are impossible to break through.

For all the people that believe homeless people are lazy, I wish they could just spend an hour in Manda's shoes! She works hard to keep her tent camp clean. She works hard getting to treatment and therapy. She works hard every single day trying to survive. And she works extremely hard to stay positive while facing the madness of homelessness each and every day!

We must get Manda out from under that bridge into housing. Because of her health and being a woman out on the streets, she is extremely vulnerable living outside. If you are connected to social services in Seattle or know anyone that is, please reach out to them and forward Manda's story. I have talked to her social worker. Her health issues are severe, and we need to get this woman inside!

More interviews from homeless people:

#homeless #seattle #homelessencampments
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About Invisible People

There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

This isn’t just talk. Each year, our groundbreaking educational content reaches more than a billion people across the globe. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you.

However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now.

Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

[olove]

Breaks my heart how she went from smiling to crying. You can see the pain.

[hajile]

I feel everything she's saying. When I was homeless for 3 years, I remember telling myself over and over, "If you have no one else in the world, you have yourself. Don't hurt the only thing you have." So I fought to stay positive.

[stephensgate]

You know? Every time I see someone in this situation, I remind myself that this person was somebody’s baby at one time. Their precious child. How would you like it if your child ended up in this situation? Most of us couldn’t comprehend the pain we would have if our little ones lived in such a way. Maybe I’m naive, but there’s gotta be a better way to prevent this. Just breaks my heart. -Stephen

[diane]

How heartbreaking. I want to hug her, feed her, and tuck her into a nice, warm bed so she can rest peacefully. I hope her life got drastically better in the 6 years since this post was made.

[crocbaitaussie]

This lady is a beautiful human being. Some of us are close to being homeless anytime

[cocomuhly]

“Those with the brightest smiles have the most pain to hide.”

[WelcomeToHousing]

I have known this lady for about a year now through work on a Homeless Council and have NO IDEA of what she has been through or where she came from. THIS is an extremely powerful video and really brings humanity to the crisis of homelessness that we face globally.

[anastaciaespinoza]

Her YouTube channel is Amanda richer she’s not homeless anymore I’m so proud of her she is such a strong women she tried I love her she is the best 💘

[evgeniyapanagushina]

This woman is like a miracle in this cruel world.

[shannonwilkinson]

She didn’t even wish for a house she wished for strength, understanding & to help others. This lady is an angel 😇

[upsettingrock]

There is nobody I have ever seen, no conversation, story, poem, or even song that is more inspirational than this. You can see the deep struggle and you can see her facade break multiple times, but every time she puts it back up with a smile and looks at the positive. She’s the most inspirational person I’ve seen.

[alecks]

I was homeless for a year when I was 17. Living alone, in a tent in an field. Every night I fell asleep with thoughts of ending my life. I eventually finished high school, found a job and began the slow process of building a life. Im 40 now and things are far from perfect, but I have 2 sons that give my life purpose. And that is to give them a childhood I never had. I hope she keeps going and finds purpose. Stay strong beautiful soul.

[VanlifewithMinisterMaryA-oewg]

I can’t do much financially because I’m struggling too at age 65. However, I will be praying for God’s blessings for everyone. I’ll be following!

[laranell]

Her voice needs to be discovered, she literally sounds like a Disney princess

[bananadolewhip]

Wow, I adore her. She literally SOUNDS just like a Disney Princess. She would be a fantastic voice actor! I heard she is doing better now and that warms my heart.

[BrettRosso-klsg]

She is an inspiration for remaining so positive inspite of her situation. She is absolutely right. We live in a society that is very harsh on the poor, and homeless people. We don't need country clubs, and golf courses. We need dignity, and compassion.

[ingramr]

She's a tired warrior. Give her her badge of honor and an honorable discharge from homelessness.

[savVaLaza]

This woman’s heart is as close to world peace as we’ll get.

[youngmerc]

Just so y’all know, she’s been off the streets and runs a YouTube channel by the name of Amanda Richer❤️
I love seeing people overcome hardships

[Olddeadleadfoot]

This woman is so sweet. I hope she is no longer homeless and living under that bridge. I've been homeless and am semi-homeless now living in a camper in the back of my pickup for the past three years, and I hope she is living in a home somewhere. She deserves goodness in her life, like everyone.