“I was sustained by one piece of inestimable good fortune. I had for a friend a man of immense and patient wisdom and a gentle but unyielding fortitude.
I think that if I was not destroyed at this time by the sense of hopelessness which these gigantic labors has awakened in me, it was largely because of the courage and patience of this man.
I did not give in because he would not let me give in.”
- Thomas Wolfe
By Paula Heath, Advocate
[Will Thompson was Teen Feed’s Street Talk Outreach Program Coordinator for the past two years. He founded STOP to respond to the greater number of young youth Teen Feed was seeing on the streets, and has left a permanent impact on staff and youth alike.]
He is a big man, with a distinctive splayed walk. His broad face wears a virtually permanent smile with flickers of sharp humor dancing in his eyes. His booming voice rings across the nightly Teen Feed dining rooms – with engaging stories, sharing opinions on computer games and current events, and most of all providing guidance through his personal example.
To see him is to be drawn to him – a huge magnet of confidence, enthusiasm and caring. I watched with some envy as, without fail, his table filled up first, and the liveliest conversations began. Laughter, always. No one ever got up and left his table – he was able to connect with everyone.
When I asked a few of the youth how they would describe him, the responses were consistent. “He was knowledgeable about us, our lives, and the things we like to talk about.” “He was always informed and kept the conversations going, no down time.” “Kind, caring, available.”
Will has moved on to life in another city. We all thank him for everything that he accomplished here in the U District; the positive impact he had on so many young, vulnerable lives; and for showing advocates like me how to engage with our youth. A terrific mentor, he always communicated hope and optimism – a great legacy. Thank you, Will!
