Tars & Marty: From Online Friends to Real Connections
Author, Veronica Garrick | 5/6/2022
“Without love everything around us will collapse: it’s that simple”
In July 2021, Miracle Friends gained a new volunteer, Tars. During his time, he was matched with Marty, one of our San Francisco unhoused friends. Tars and Marty have a special friendship that extends beyond twice a week phone calls, but Tars will occasionally meet Marty downtown on his lunch break. Although meeting in person is not a requirement nor expected of our volunteers, they developed this friendship over time and safely.
“It’s nice to have someone to check up on you when I’m sleeping outside…someone to talk to and keep in touch” -Marty
Their friendship brings comfort to both of them. Marty said that the best part of Miracle Friends is “talking to a friend he checks up on me and asks me how I’m doing, it's great knowing someone is there for me” and when asked how Tars would describe their relationship, he said “I feel like he's glad to know that someone cares about him. Not that it makes me special but it makes his life less painful, knowing that there are people who can look up to him and reach out to him like everyone else involved in the Miracle Friends project. Sometimes we don't receive love but knowing that love without interest exists is already a great relief for the reality we live in.” No one should experience homelessness alone, and Tars is a great volunteer and friend that believes wholeheartedly in this mission statement.
“I feel like he's glad to know that someone cares about him. Not that it makes me special but it makes his life less painful, knowing that there are people who can look up to him and reach out to him like everyone else involved in the Miracle Friends project. Sometimes we don't receive love but knowing that love without interest exists is already a great relief for the reality we live in.” -Tars
Tars and Marty are a perfect example of compassion, respect, and trust. A beautiful and kind relationship that can exist because of our Miracle Friends Program.
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