Beyond Hello

by Kristi Blakeway

Every one of us has a story worth hearing. In 2009, Kristi Blakeway invited her students to give back to the homeless in Canada’s poorest neighborhood—Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Rather than handing out food and clothing, Blakeway and her students invited the homeless to tell their stories. What was meant to be a one-day act of giving spiraled into a decade-long labor of love. Beyond HELLO is a compilation of stories from the streets blended with wisdom gained from those who have lost it all.

Blakeway weaves life stories of the homeless community with her personal and unexpected journey into forgiveness. She encourages us all to go Beyond HELLO, to see those who are often invisible, to connect with compassion, and to rekindle the human spirit one conversation at a time. With each book sold, a donation will be made to A Better Life Foundation to buy a meal for someone living on the streets.

“Kristi’s commitment to listen to people as they share their stories about who they are, where they come from and who they want to be touches upon the humanity of those who have been forgotten.” Selina Robinson BC Minister of Housing

“Isolation is the single biggest cause of addiction and instability. By connecting with those in need, we deepen our understanding of the issues, create space for healing, and open our hearts to the solutions. I hope that everyone can see themselves through Kristi’s example and help to create better lives for all of us. The time is now. ”Mark BrandCEO – Mark Brand Inc. & A Better Life Foundation

Genres: Book Club

196 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2019

Reviews

[Leslie DeLuca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had accessibility to signed books from the author via her mother, so decided to purchase 6 for Christmas gifts including one for myself as I was keen to share the message of "Beyond Hello" with my friends and hopefully have them do the same (it did indeed as a friend purchased 6 herself). The benefit of purchasing this book aside from reading the brilliantly written stories within is that it will either bring a tear to your eye, break your heart and/or have you smiling in joy and whooping out in a triumphant joyful "YES" when you read of a successful reconnection of family members with one of the individuals noted in the book and that Each Book Sold Buys A Meal For Someone In Need". How so very easy it is to be reminded as we read this book that we all need to remain humble, to keep our hearts open, to lose our prejudices and remind ourselves that "there but for the grace of our Higher Power goes any one of us". If we haven't walked the same journey of those that live in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver have, we have no right to reserve judgment or to publicly show disdain at their appearances or behavior. Kristi Blakeway did the right thing bringing in her students to assist her in "rekindling the human spirit one conversation at a time" for she had initiated her students into the magnificence of compassion with her actions by sharing that experience with them firsthand and perhaps many had considered career choice in professional mental health or social services from that participation. This is a very insightful compelling book to read that can spur a domino effect from us all as we read the author's words; for us to choose to employ empathy rather than turn away from anyone that makes us feel uncomfortable because of their disheveled appearance coupled with poor hygiene, malodorous smells and most important because of their addiction or location of their address (or lack of in most cases). I'm hoping this book will be placed in all Lower Mainland Scool and Public Libraries. Listen up Librarians, it's your duty to purchase! As for us readers? It's our duty to share the book and/or purchase a copy to give to others so they hopefully do the same and for us to all embrace practicing compassion with those less fortunate than us as we so easily do with the ones we live, work, and play with. I can't help but feel Kristi Blakeway has delivered a gift to us with this book; let's do her proud; activate a pay forward chain reaction and practice a little kindness in situations and areas where it is desperately needed.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking and touching book that must be read. Seeking to really get to know people historically marginalized and living on the DTES is key to empathy and understanding. I am left with wondering how I can be a part of the solution for those isolated by judgement and misunderstanding.

[Rhoda Perron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard an brief interview with the author on the news so decided to buy the book for a friend for Christmas. Then i decided to read it myself. I couldn't help it.

I have mixed feelings about the project.....loving her openness and bravery, but also scared for her and her students and sons in the book. Not everyone could or should do what she did.

There are many ways for us all to help in our own community's with the recent homelessness focus. I hesitate in calling it a crisis as it's always been, and like poverty, will always be! By 2019, I think we are all aware of people living on the streets in many communities.

I liked that she wasn't trying to save them, take them home, or tell them where they could get help, but just connected and bought them a meal. And then blogged their stories.

I'm not sure if it changed my attitudes but I'm glad I read the book.

[April]

A powerful collection of stories that acknowledges our common humanity, this book bears witness to the power of conversation to connect. The author has led by example and this record is valuable for anyone willing to read it. Recommended.
*Some stories connect with some in In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought up so much conversation. It’s a great reminder to look beyond someone’s circumstances to see their humanity and to listen to their story. Kristi makes us question how as a society we can do better.

[Kyra Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book moved me to tears. Every chapter there is an element of the human condition that makes me take a step back and consider what is really important in my life and how I'm contributing to the happiness of others. Do I really see people or do I see through them? The part about the teddy bears in the tree took my breath away. The author did a fantastic job of putting me in her shoes as well as the shoes of the homeless in Vancouver.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and uplifting. Hearth wrenching without being heartbreaking.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. The content of the book should move everyone to open up, pursue others and create a relationship with others unlike you. One addict said “I’m not addicted to alcohol or drugs – I’m addicted to escaping reality!” and Johann Hart, “The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety; it’s connection.” It’s easy to forget that the majority of homeless people do not choose this lifestyle, but they go where they are accepted. Childhood trauma is at the core of most, and where some can overcome, many don’t. And the connection they’ve lost is what drives many to other self-medicating coping mechanisms. It’s heartbreaking. So what do we do about it? More shelters? More funding? More government involvement? Does it seem to be helping? Connection and relationship is what is needed. So how do we do that? What can I do? The content of the book has motivated me.
Unfortunately, the writing is amateur and it won’t get the coverage the content should because of it. But definitely worth reading! And then do something because of it. I will.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve known Kristi since my husband, daughter and I moved to Maple Ridge when our daughter was 4 and we lived in the same neighborhood. My daughter developed a passion for helping those less fortunate in elementary school that continues to this day. Kristi has been an incredible role model for so many students in our community...including my daughter Savannah. I encourage everyone to buy a copy of Beyond Hello and read it with an open mind. I’ve had the privilege of volunteering in the DTES alongside my daughter and my life has been forever changed by the experience. Listening to people’s stories forever changed how I view homelessness and addiction. Beyond Hello will do the same for the reader.

[Vicki L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED these stories and how they remind us of our synchronicities, the precious gift of life and how we are all connected! Thank you for sharing this work with us! Beyond Hello is a book that everyone should read!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is eye-opening. Beyond Hello humanizes unhoused and low-income people in Vancouver’s downtown east side, offering some perspective to those from more privileged backgrounds. I appreciate this book and Kristi’s work so much.