The Person Next to Us

Peggy became friends with Kirby, a man who was unsheltered. How much time and compassion would she have to give?

An Audio Story by Jack Shuler and Doug Swift

Photo above: Peggy Ruton, a volunteer at Newark Homeless Outreach, is relieved to see Kirby, who had not shown up for a few weeks. "You need to check in with us," she told him, as she cried with relief. " We're here and I've been looking for you and I haven't been able to find you." (Photo provided by Peggy Ruton.)

Peggy Ruton developed a long friendship with Kirby Hill. First she offered him simple comforts at the Newark Homeless Outreach. A seat out of the rain, a meal. Then she brought him staples‒water and ice‒to his homeless encampments, at a time when much of Newark thought little of these places, and the city itself authorized a campaign to bulldoze them. Eventually Peggy successfully sought housing for Kirby, and helped him manage the transition to life within four walls. The climax of this story raises questions about what friendship is, and how to practice compassion.