Goodness Village’s The Good Neighbor Project: Empathy Unveiled

Hosted by Kim Curtis, LCSW Director and Program Founder of Goodness Village

The Good Neighbor Project is this quarterly series where we will sit down with pillars in the community, formerly unhoused individuals, and others who want to change the current narrative around homelessness. Together we will break down barriers, foster understanding, and learn how to become better neighbors. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow as a community.

This first discussion is called Empathy Unveiled. Our guest for this discussion is Aaron Horner, a pillar in the unhoused community and the Executive Director of Community Outreach at South Hayward Parish. Through this discussion, we will explore the pathways to understanding, compassion, and community connection. Together, we can create a neighborhood where everyone feels seen and heard.

Holding space for someone is an idea that is confusing for some and hard to do for others. Our tendency as humans is to offer up advice and fix things that are broken, especially if someone that we love is in crisis. However, there is power in simply holding space, allowing someone a safe space to voice their concerns, troubles, or feelings. Sometimes it is too hard for us to carry things alone and it is imperative that we share some of it with others. Holding space for someone is a very simple idea but it is often much harder to execute. Simply put holding space means showing up for someone, being fully present and without judgment as you sit with that person through their difficult time. You listen fully. You allow yourself to feel their pain and negative emotions so that they don’t have to do it alone. You allow your opinions or judgments to take a back seat as you meet someone exactly where they are at. Regardless of if you agree with their actions or whether or not you have an opinion on the situation, you remain neutral, empathetic, and merciful.

The most important hallmark of holding space for others is creating a space where that person is fully seen, heard, and held. You don’t have to provide a resolution to their problem. You are not there to “fix” anything. You simply provide a space, bubble, container, zone (whatever you would like to call it) where they can show up fully to be understood and heard by an unwavering ear. This is a space where others can feel safe and loved, which allows them room to process difficult situations on their own timeline while feeling supported.