'Conversations on a Bench' invites real talk about homelessness, addiction

HOUSTON, Texas -- Homelessness is one of Americas most urgent challenges, but it is also one of the least understood. That's why the directors of dozens of missions and shelters across the country are participating in a unique event this World Homeless Day to raise awareness about what people experiencing homelessness face.

They're spending 24 hours on a bench in front of their missions, live-streaming conversations with community members and those experiencing homeless. It's called Conversations on a Bench and it's a safe space for anyone to walk up, sit down and engage in real, meaningful conversations about homelessness.

"One of the misconceptions of homelessness is it just takes a job or it just takes a house for everybody to get better," said Brandan Thomas, CEO of Open Door Mission in Houston. "The truth is, for many individuals who find themselves in a situation where they're homeless, is that it was a seven year journey to get there, and so if it was a seven year journey to get into that, it's going to take more than just a couple of quick things to fix it."

Thomas first started Conversations on a Bench in 2017 when he was the director of Winchester Rescue Mission in Winchester, Virginia. His goal was to share real stories of homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges, and try to spark change.

"We sit down with somebody and you have this pre-conceived idea of somebody who is homeless, and they begin to tell you about how they lost their job and how it began a spiral," said Thomas. "You begin to have the thought, man, this could have happened to me."

Thomas is now the director of Open Door Mission in Houston, Texas, an addiction recovery program and facility helping homeless men. Open Door Mission provides counseling, social services and health services to help residents rebuild their lives.

"We help men receive their GEDs," said Thomas. "We also help men get physically and mentally well. We have counselors who teach courses to help our guys kind of identify some of those areas in their life where things fell apart, and help them with coping skills and all sorts of things to get their life back on track."

"They make you believe in yourself again," said Open Door resident Andre Cottrell. "It's just amazing, man, the power that you receive through love from people that have never met you a day in their life."

In Houston, Thomas will be among dozens of mission directors nationwide who will welcome the public to sit with them on a bench, all in their own cities. The event begins Thursday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m., and runs until Friday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.

"It's a group of 75 CEOs that plan to sit on a bench at their mission for 24 hours, talking and having conversations with the community," said Thomas. "Our hope is to bring awareness to the community and of the affects of homelessness and what our organizations are doing to help."

In Houston, the public can stop by Open Door Mission at 583 Harrisburg Ave. to participate. For those unable to stop by, a 24-hour livestream will allow them to join in the conversation, hear stories and ask questions online.

ABC13's Localish team visited Open Door Mission in the video above to see the life-changing work being done there every day.

For more information, Open Door Mission and Conversations on a Bench online.