Stories From The Street

We recognize and respect the intrinsic value of every individual in our community, regardless of life circumstances.

The Couture Bash

Written on 10/13/22

Don’t forget to RSVP to The Couture Bash! It’s sure to be a wicked good time… The stress of Hurricane […]

Sarasota’s Homeless During a Hurricane

Written on 10/05/22

As Hurricane Ian approaches, most of us are busy worrying about having enough canned tuna or a generator to make […]

SOP Partners with GiveBackRx

Written on 4/18/22

Streets of Paradise (SOP) is excited to partner with GiveBackRx, a new pharmacy discount card that gives consumers savings of […]

Shower Day Shutdown: City of Sarasota Sidelines Streets of Paradise

Written on 8/29/20

The official word came down during a nearly hour-long zoom meeting on August 25th. Streets of Paradise would no longer […]

Come What May

Written on 5/07/20

March and April were busy beyond belief for Streets of Paradise (SoP) volunteers. So much was accomplished in such a […]

Moving Forward: On the Road to Shower Day Celebrations

Written on 4/03/20

What does a hot shower mean to YOU? Sure, combined with essential personal hygiene items, it can provide one with […]

Homelessness in Sarasota: the story of Steve Novia

Written on 4/03/20

Steve Novia’s first housewarming gift was a heart made out of Hot Tamales. “Baby, You’re my Hot Tamale when we are […]

Streets of Paradise completes 150 move-ins

Written on 4/03/20

My interview with founder of Sarasota’s grassroots anti-homelessness coalition Streets of Paradise (SOP) Greg Cruz kept getting interrupted. “Buenas noches,” […]

If You’re Abel

Written on 1/13/20

Introduction: Streets of Paradise is an organization that is best known for loving well. Our unique two-pronged approach to aiding […]

He (She) Ain’t Heavy…

Written on 12/27/19

“Thank you, Santa. I wake up so cold.” “I just want to be warm, Santa.” “I’ve been really good, Santa. […]

Peaches and the Wawa Sandwiches

Written on 12/18/19

It was a hot, humid afternoon in January of 2019. Harmony Chapman held tightly to both leashes, each wrist encircled by […]

Pando and the Ripple Effect

Written on 11/15/19

The heaviest known single living organism on Planet Earth is known as Pando. Spread out over 106 acres in the […]

Stephanie – Homeward Bound

Written on 9/07/19

On a sunny Saturday morning, we head over to check out the phenomenal work being done at Remnant Cafe, serving […]

Streets Of Paradise With Showered And Empowered

Written on 9/07/19

Streets of Paradise teamed up with Showered and Empowered on April, 27 for the third time this year and offered […]

Kimberly – Transgender & Living on the Streets

Written on 6/15/19

Kimberly is a 39-year old transgender woman, and she is currently living on the streets. We meet on a brisk […]

Brandy & Raven – Affordable Housing Imperative

Written on 6/02/19

I met Brandy, an engaging 39-year-old woman and her 20-year-old daughter Raven on a chilly Thursday evening outside the Salvation […]

Katy – Community on the Streets

Written on 6/02/19

I met Katy at beautiful Five Points Park, a downtown anchor of the arts and entertainment of Sarasota, surrounded by […]

Nikki – Pregnant & Living the Hard Life

Written on 3/13/19

We met Nikki outside a Sarasota gas station on a chilly Thursday evening. Nikki is a 34-year-old woman, and she […]

Stephanie – Intimate Partner Violence and Homelessness

Written on 2/25/19

I notice Stephanie on a Thursday evening after she takes a spoonful of delicious looking home-made butternut squash soup and […]

Cathy – More Than A Single Story

Written on 1/16/19

On a brisk Sunday morning in January I set out to meet the many homeless men and women living on […]

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