The Daytona Beach News-Journal
It’s hard to read the two-part (so far) saga of Brian Freeman’s sojourn in St. Augustine and remain unmoved.
As reported by The St. Augustine Record’s Peter Willott and Sheldon Gardner, the bare bones of Freeman’s story go like this:
Our photographer Peter Willott noticed the evolving garden, as did many other passers-by. He saw Freeman picking up trash on the side of the road. He rightly thought it was a story that needed to be told.
Because Freeman’s words revealed something that’s not often contemplated about homelessness: In the spring, I want people to drive on U.S. 1 and see the flowers and think of me.
DAYTONA BEACH Last Friday night, Ashley Baker was having a fantastic time at First Step Shelter.
Baker and some other residents at the homeless shelter for adults were throwing a birthday party for one of the women staying there, Krystal Dowdell. In between indulging in cake and red velvet cookies, they shared dreams for their futures.
The 30-year-old Baker talked about wanting to go to college, establish a good career, have a family living in their own house, and someday escape on tropical vacations. She put together a vision board to give her dreams a physical presence, a piece of cardboard covered with pictures of a beautiful beach, hot air balloons, hearts and a tall cool beverage.