Seattle Compassion Services

Outreach Report: Ballard Cleanup – February 28, 2026
What kind of world are we creating?
Today’s outreach in Ballard was overstimulating. During the cleanup, an assault was reported in one of the tents and we assisted police by sharing what we had observed. Situations like this remind us how complex and fragile life can be on the streets.
Our team of 4 volunteers worked alongside other outreach groups serving the community. Together we cleaned the surrounding area, removing 150 pounds of trash, engaged about 15 unhoused neighbors, and distributed 30 bottles of water.
Moments like today can be sobering. Seeing the conditions people are living in raises difficult questions about the kind of community we want to build for the future.
There is a saying: “Before you try to change the world, change yourself.” For me, that reminder reinforces why we keep showing up — one conversation, one cleanup, one act of compassion at a time.

No matter how people attack you with ugly words or hatred, respond with kindness in your heart and speech. Sweetness of speech is a marvelous panacea, a magic power of soul magnetism. The way of a divine life is to be so secure in your determination to be good that no one can shake you from it. If in response to hateful behaviour only soothing kindness flows from your soul, you will be continually refilled by an inflow of God's love, able to channel a divine flood of happiness to all. Apply that understanding to all troublesome trials, and each one will resurrect some dormant attribute of God's image within you.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Book - Solving The Mystery of Life
Chapter - How to Smile Away Your Troubles, page 215