Willie, 63, has lived in Denver nearly his whole life after moving from Lubbock, Texas as a young child. Just two weeks before this interview, he finally secured housing through the Coalition for the Homeless after a decade of waiting and setbacks with lost contact information. Before that, he survived by sleeping in parking garages, bus stations, and fast-food restaurants to stay warm, avoiding group camps because of thefts and fights.
He emphasizes hygiene and dignity as central struggles of being unhoused and notes how careless litter and misuse of public spaces reinforce negative perceptions. Yet he also highlights community care, pointing to volunteers who return week after week with food and clothing as proof that compassion exists. His outlook now is grounded in gratitude, responsibility, and the hope that stability will let him turn his ideas into action.
