One woman's pain became a national movement that helped a million people find homes: Karen Olson and Family Promise

The simple act of handing a ham and cheese sandwich to a homeless woman named Millie sparked something extraordinary – a movement that would transform the lives of over a million people experiencing homelessness across America.

Karen Olson's story begins with profound childhood loss. When her mother died by suicide, it created a hole in her heart that gave her unique empathy for others' suffering. Years later, while working in corporate America developing marketing campaigns, Karen felt called to something more meaningful. That sandwich in 1981 became the first step in a journey that would change countless lives, including her own.

What makes Karen's approach revolutionary is her philosophy of meeting people exactly where they are, without judgment. After discovering that families with children represented 35% of the homeless population, she created the innovative model behind Family Promise: religious congregations working together to provide shelter in their buildings on a rotational basis, with volunteers offering meals, support, and most importantly, human connection.

The statistics Karen shares are sobering – one in 30 children experiences homelessness annually, with most renting families spending over half their income on housing. But Family Promise's 81% success rate offers hope in addressing this crisis. Now operating in 44 states with 200,000+ volunteers (a volunteer force larger than Ford's workforce), the organization has expanded to include prevention, transitional housing, and comprehensive support services.

Karen's personal journey took another challenging turn when a cryotherapy accident left her with a spinal cord injury. Yet she continues finding ways to make a difference through speaking engagements and adaptive painting, embodying Pablo Picasso's wisdom: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."

Join us for this powerful conversation about turning pain into purpose, the healing that comes from helping others, and how authentic human connection can transform both the helped and the helper. Whether you're curious about addressing homelessness in your community or seeking inspiration to make a difference, Karen's story reminds us that we all have the power to create ripples of positive change.

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