When I was eight, the song "Seattle" was etched into my brain in preparation for a gymnastics recital. Years later, I still think of that song every time I hear the name Seattle. The lyrics boast of the bluest skies and greenest grass, and even compare Seattle to a beautiful child, growing up free and wild, full of hopes, laughter, and dreams. That song was written long ago but it takes on a whole new meaning in the Seattle of 2015.
If you are in Seattle for any length of time, you might notice the blue sky and the green grass among other things. You will probably notice the tall white Space Needle proudly reaching into the blue sky. It's hard to miss. If you look closely, you will probably notice that people sometimes sleep on the green grass below it when the temperature is an unseasonable 90 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hard to miss, also. You might even notice the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor's Center directly across the street from both the Space Needle and the people sleeping on the grass.
It seems ironic. A structure built for people to see for miles on end. Another structure built to show work being done to help people in need around the world. And, a grassy area in between where you will see people who don't have a bed, let alone a room or home, to sleep in.
However, the Gates Foundation is helping some of the more than 20,000 people who sleep in places not meant for human habitation in the state of Washington on any given night: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/US-Program/Washington-State/Homelessness-and-Family-Stability. It's not a complete solution. The initiative focuses primarily on family homelessness. But, it's a start. And, it makes a difference to families facing homelessness including children who will hopefully grow up, as the song goes, full of hopes, laughter and dreams. And, not like the other lyrics in the song: full of fears and tears.
Unfortunately, homelessness is not the only problem in the world. The Gates Foundation Visitor's Center highlights ways that human lives are improved or even saved by things like vaccinations in remote and impoverished areas, safe drinking water or toilets that don't require water and sewer lines or a power grid.
One problem is finding real solutions. That requires people who care enough about others and think creatively enough to find solutions that aren't just temporary Band-Aids on a larger problem. The center does a wonderful job of encouraging people to find solutions and they offer to provide funding to implement those solutions.
At the very least, the center raises awareness. Optimally, it can inspire people to think beyond themselves to make the world a better place and provide the resources to do so. Or, it can reveal some who have no interest in seeing lives improved, apart from their own. If that's you, then you can skip this free display of innovation and spend $20+ to visit the Space Needle where you can see Seattle for miles on end.
If you only see one thing in Seattle, be sure to stop by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor's Center. read more