More than Resources: The Power of Guest-to-Guest Connection

Sitting alone in a courtyard, John watched a group of men walk toward a church together. They grabbed plates of food from the Make-A-Day food truck, sat on the steps, and laughed like old friends. He didn’t know them, but he knew he wanted what they had.

We’d only met them the day before, during our first outreach in the neighborhood. Not sure what to expect, we welcomed anyone who stopped by, and one of our partners suggested inviting residents from nearby sober living homes. We said yes, and within an hour, small groups started arriving, chatting, smiling, and leaving with to-go containers for later. Before they left, we mentioned we’d be serving at the church down the street the next day. And sure enough, they showed up.

John had emigrated from Sudan, leaving his family behind. In Sudanese culture, as in many Middle Eastern cultures, community is stitched into daily life. In Columbus, that steady presence was missing. Watching those men arrive and leave together reminded him of home, of belonging, of people who look out for one another.

At the time, John had just completed the substance use program at Lighthouse and was searching for a sober living home, but nothing felt right. He mentioned his search to his counselor at Southeast. Seeing the group at our outreach the next day, he brought it up again. That small moment sparked a connection: his counselor reached out, introduced John to the group, and helped enroll him in their sober living home.

Today, John is in treatment and surrounded by a community that walks alongside him. It didn’t happen all at once. It happened because one day led to another, a plate of food, a conversation, a return visit, a connection, and finally, a place to belong.

At Make-A-Day, we don’t believe in single-day fixes. We believe in showing up again and again, because a series of days made adds up to lives changed. Through street outreach and pop-up events, we create places where strangers become neighbors, and where small moments lead to lasting stability.

Consider sponsoring an event and help us keep making those days, one after another, until they become a different future.

*names have been changed