Bruce and Nathaniel: More Than Friends
Author, Mia Fenner | 7/01/2022
Miracle Friends is a program which connects unhoused individuals with volunteers who act as judgment free supporters for those in need. This program brings people together who may have otherwise never met and promotes a beneficial friendship for both participants.
Volunteers are trained to connect with their Miracle Friend in any way they see fit. Whether it be texts throughout the week or scheduled phone calls, each match finds their own way of communicating. The program promotes the importance of simply having someone to talk to. As the friendships grow, some groups will choose to meet in person to further build their connection.
One extraordinary example of this program’s success is the bond between volunteer member, Bruce Armstrong, and his Miracle Friend, Nathaniel. The two initially connected over the phone on July 9, 2020 and met in person for the first time on August 13, 2020. Over the last two years, Bruce and Nathaniel have not only maintained but grown their friendship.
Bruce is an active member in the Bay Area and understands firsthand how the issue of homelessness is extremely evident especially in San Francisco. He was eager to help those in need and gravitated towards the Miracle Friends program because it allowed him to connect one on one with those struggling.
With luck, Bruce and Nathaniel were matched and the pair sparked an instant connection over family and cracking jokes. Bruce shared that Nathaniel and him constantly text throughout the week and have shared over 200 phone calls and met in person 20 times.
Nathaniel (left) and Bruce (right) sharing an afternoon together.
However, there have been instances where the two of them have had some difficulty staying in contact. But, Nathaniel has an amazing knack for remembering small details and this has helped him tremendously in any instance in which he lost his phone or had technical issues. Nathaniel was always able to remember Bruce’s phone number and made it a priority to reconnect with Bruce.
Over the years the two continue to lean on each other for support during difficult times. Bruce looked to Nathaniel for guidance after his 91 year old father passed away. Nathaniel supported Bruce by encouraging him to call more often and helped him think back to all the good times he had with his father in the past.
Bruce shared that initially, “I thought I was going to help Nathaniel deal with his difficulties in life as an unhoused person, but actually he's helped me more,” (Bruce). The pair takes time to support their friendship no matter the circumstances and this has helped them build such a strong bond. Bruce explains, “Whenever I say we're Miracle Friends, he says 'We're not friends, we're brothers!’” (Bruce).
Bruce with his daughter Katherine and Nathaniel.
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