I tried to post this to the “Random articles” thread but not allowed because no three-in-a-row permitted. Maybe one of you can post this there.
What Can Hundreds of Pieces of Litter Tell Us About Manhattan?
Shoes. A phone. Receipts. A comb. Traces of wild nights and hurried days are all around us.
gift link https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/nyregion/nyc-litter.html?unlocked_article_code=1._08.SXvs.SolJF1FDJSAj&smid=url-share
Ford CEO Jim Farley is an amazing human being. The Detroit Free Press ran a great story on him this past week. Unfortunately, the story is “subscription only,” but I have to share the gist of it. This is a man who has volunteered at and donated to a soup kitchen/homeless center in Detroit for decades. He quietly gives of his time, talents, and wealth to help the least of his brothers - and he encourages his employees to volunteer, as well. The transitional housing facility he helped raise funds for is incredibly well thought out, focused on meeting its clients where they are and providing concrete assistance in an environment that treats clients as human beings worthy of respect. He refused to allow his name on the building, but he allowed a gathering space to be named after his cousin, Chris Farley, who struggled with addiction despite his professional success.
I was just so touched by this man’s humble servant hood. He quietly lives his faith as he helps his fellow man. Here is a story about him from a non-paywalled source: Remembering Chris: Jim Farley on Homelessness. We need more people like Jim Farley - and it’s refreshing to know that there are good people like Farley helping others.
The Jim Farley story reminds me that Rick Steves recently stepped in and saved a day center for the homeless in Seattle. I thought I might’ve read about it on this thread first, but maybe it was elsewhere. Didn’t see a mention of it here. Rick Steves steps in to save Seattle-area hygiene center : NPR
Nice! And not Rick’s first donation for those less fortunate.
Rick Steves’s Housing Initiatives:
Trinity Place: Steves purchased an apartment building with his retirement savings to house struggling mothers and children, seeing it as a compassionate investment. In 2017, he gifted the entire property to the YWCA, ensuring its long-term use for affordable housing.
Advocacy: He uses his platform to support affordable housing, highlighting the work of organizations like the YWCA and advocating for funding for social services to address poverty.