Tigard woman takes her compassion for homeless to the streets

By Barbara Sherman

The Times, Nov 22, 2009, Updated Nov 24, 2009

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“They’re someone’s child,” she said. “They’re not all drug addicts. They’re not all there because they did something wrong.”

Packing a rolling suitcase with the carafes filled with hot water and packets of chocolate and soup, Downer hit the streets to hand out hot drinks and offer some cheer to the homeless people she encountered.

“I’ve never had a problem relating to the homeless,” she said. “I counsel with them. They just need someone to listen. No matter why they’re down there, they’re all human beings. I walk around Pioneer Square and under the Hawthorne Bridge — that’s a pretty good hot spot — and the Burnside Bridge.”

Downer said that she doesn’t get into dangerous situations.

“I’m smart and safe about it,” she said. “I don’t go down dark alleys. I text a friend where I’m going. I don’t bring a wallet — just ID. I never go after dark. Just because I’m doing something good doesn’t mean I’m invincible.”

Downer heads downtown one or both days of the weekends, noting Nov. 12, “Last Saturday was very wet and cold, but I had a home to go back to and they didn’t. That’s why I’m starting to collect socks. Even the people who get into shelters at night need warm, dry socks.

“How do you get a job when you’re wearing dirty clothes? A friend gave me some men’s sweaters, and I passed them out. I remember seeing one man wearing socks and sandals, and they were soaking wet.”

Downer went through her $500 windfall a long time ago, and now she spends part of her salary on food and clothing for the homeless. A friend with a Costco card takes her shopping there, where she recently spent $40 stocking up.

On Thanksgiving a year ago, Downer gave away blankets along with 100 muffins that she made.

“So many of these people have lost hope,” she said. “If you’ve had hot chocolate in your past, you were probably a kid and cozy after playing in the snow. Sipping hot chocolate was a happy moment in your life.

“During the 10 minutes that they’re sipping hot chocolate, they’re drinking it in a happy place.”

Downer said that when people ask her why she does this, she tells them the story of the woman she helped

“I say, ‘Because I care about you. You’re human. You’re important.’ Some people are at first hesitant to take hot chocolate or soup from me, so I look them in the eye and say, ‘What’s your name?’ They answer and stand up taller. I feel respect from them.

“Sometimes I have 10 or 15 people waiting for me to hand them a cup. I will give them jobs, like stirring the powder in the water. One time on Christmas morning, I asked, ‘Who has a good joke?’”

Downer not only keeps herself safe, but she doesn’t take any guff from people.

“I don’t put up with anything,” she said. “I’ve had to tell people I won’t come back. It’s funny — a young girl standing up to these old men. Most are kind and courteous and grateful. Life has handed them a bucket of lemons.”

People can help Downer’s mission by dropping off socks, hats and gloves at Dr. Sepp’s office, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and she will distribute them to needy people. The office is located at 16035 S.W. Pacific Highway, just west of the intersection of Durham Road and 116th Avenue. The office phone number is 503-620-2185.

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