Conversations on a Bench
Real Conversations. Different Perspectives. Better Solutions.
At Gospel Rescue Mission, we believe great things happen when people sit together, truly listen, and have honest conversations.
On October 8 and 9, in recognition of World Homeless Day, Gospel Rescue Mission will host our second annual Conversations on a Bench, a 24-hour live stream event from the H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity in Tucson.
Throughout the event, community leaders, donors, faith leaders, business leaders, service providers, advocates, people with lived experience, and other difference-makers will take a seat on a simple park bench for 30-minute conversations about some of the most important issues facing our community.
The goal is simple: bring people together, listen to different perspectives, and look for better solutions to homelessness in Tucson.
Building on the Success of Last Year
Last year, our first Conversations on a Bench showed us just how powerful a simple conversation can be.
Throughout the event, leaders and community members from across Tucson sat down with us and spoke openly about the realities of homelessness, the challenges our community faces, and what it will take to create meaningful and lasting change.
Community leaders, donors, faith leaders, businesspeople, service providers, and others brought their own experiences and perspectives to the bench. They asked difficult questions, shared ideas, and joined us in looking for solutions.
The response was incredible.
This year, we are bringing the bench back and expanding the conversation.
What Will We Talk About?
Homelessness is complicated, and there is no single organization, program, policy, or idea that will solve it.
That is why these conversations matter.
During the 24-hour event, guests will explore topics including homelessness, public policy, faith, recovery, mental health, addiction, housing, workforce development, community partnerships, transformative programs, and new ideas for creating a stronger Tucson.
Some conversations will focus on what is working. Others will examine where we still have gaps. Some may challenge the way we think about homelessness altogether.
Every conversation will bring a different perspective to the bench.
More Than a Conversation
Conversations on a Bench is not about everyone agreeing.
It is about creating a place where people can speak openly, listen respectfully, learn from one another, and begin finding common ground.
When people who care about our community sit together and talk honestly about what they are seeing, what they have learned, and what they believe could make a difference, new ideas can emerge.
And sometimes, meaningful change starts with something as simple as sitting down together.
Part of a National Conversation
Gospel Rescue Mission’s Conversations on a Bench is being held in conjunction with a national World Homeless Day effort organized in partnership with Citygate Network.
Across the country, hundreds of homeless service providers and community partners will be participating in conversations designed to bring greater awareness to homelessness and encourage communities to work together toward solutions.
Here in Tucson, we want our community’s voice to be part of that national conversation.
Get Involved today!
Ready to make a difference? Whether through donation, volunteering, or prayer, there’s a place for you in our mission to transform lives.
