High School
I grew up in Lawrenceburg Indiana and graduated Lawrenceburg Consolidated High School with Mike in 1968.
The class was small, around 130 classmates, so everyone knew each other and their families. Mike moved away, college plus job, you might say. He left the Burg and didn’t look back.
I had a note from Mike several years ago saying he was going to retire and come back to the Burg. He would look me up when he returned and asked me about the next class reunion.
Mike, you will be missed. Our 50th will be next summer.
I am happy to find out that Mike found a way to help so many people in his lifetime. A man of his word, he did what he said he would.
The LCHS class of 1968, your classmates, are very proud of all you have accomplished in your lifetime. We wish you peace and hope you had a nice, deserving funeral.
Thank You
I will always say thank you, thank you, thank you for asking me to be a part of the NCH board and then the Speakers Bureau. Michael. It was the 90s when you gave me so much acceptance, being a formerly homeless woman homeless for thirty years and part of the drug and alcohol scene. You gave me caring and wanting to change the outlook about how we can end homelessness.
Today, I am a freelance homeless advocate. I have learned to consistently use my voice and my understanding that homelessness can end. As national and local advocates, we are now working together to house homeless families, children, women, men, seniors and disabled folks; and bring them back into their communities. I know it can work, because it worked for me.
I have come from the streets, to a shelter, to a program that took me on as a new resident of my own one bedroom apartment. My brother – I’m going to miss you so very much. Your work and your caring will always be with me, especially how you trained me to understand that homelessness can end
I’m going to miss you, truly, so much.
It Started with Housing, Now!
By Paula Dyan
Soon after moving to D.C. in 1986, I volunteered with organizing the “Housing Now!” demonstration coordinated by Donna Brazile and Mitch Snyder. More than 100,000 people were there! And I met Michael Stoops at the NCH meetings during the aftermath.
He truly gave homeless people a voice and a face, when some people would rather sweep it under the carpet. Michael is a hero.
Michael Stoops, may the bright light of the Holy Spirit surround you, protect you, guide you, and comfort you
