Many of you are writing to Sisters with your congratulations. Here are some of those messages:

“Hi Genny: Read the article in the paper. WOW! I can not think of anybody who deserves this award more than you. (only because we are biased).You as well as the rest of the gang @ SOR have been sooooo helpful to sooooo many, including us years ago. Our best wishes for 2006 to you and the rest of the staff and their families. Happy New Years!!!!!!

Always, With respect,

Tom Freitas and Carol Woods-Freitas”


“I had hoped to make the reception at City hall, but I’m in the middle of a jury trial.  The award is well deserved; you are a wonderful asset to the city and to the many whose lives you enrich. Thank you for your work and your spirit.

—Michael Marcus, Judge, Circuit Court, Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon, USA”

“About 20 years ago you took a beginning Spanish class from me.  I have read your progress throughout the years and am so happy that you have been recognized in so public a way.  We are regular contributors to SOTR because your idea of how to help people to help themselves (and to eat!) was such a great one.  We send you thoughts of peace and love.

—Jo Zettler and Lee Klingler”

“Dear Ms. Nelson, Congratulations on receiving the 2005 National Caring Award! Your advocacy, dedication, and commitment have improved the lives of thousands of impoverished individuals for over 25 years. Because you were there fighting for them, the people who are served by Sisters Of The Road lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. I thank you for making our community better and for being a strong voice against poverty.

Sincerely,

—Earl Blumenauer, House of Representatives, 3rd District, Oregon.”

“Genny—You have been an inspiration to myself and many people over the years. I learned so much from you in the time I have come to know and love Sisters Of The Road. What I learned at Sisters I carry with me daily. This is a much deserved recognition for your many years of work to create a space of dignity and respect for people experiencing homeless to get organized and have their voices be heard. Congratulations!

—Debbie Fox,  Transition Services Director, Bradley-Angle House”

“Dear Genny, You have always been an inspiration for me. I want to emulate your kind and
gentle way of making the world a better place. May your work continue to be
supported, honored, and triumphant for all who benefit.

With love and respect, Sherry Fishman”

“Congratulations to our Dear Friend Genny. She is finally getting some of the recognition she has so justly deserved for so many years. We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know and love such a wonderful woman.

With many fond memories and much love,

—Jerry & Barbara Isom”

“Genny: You bring something special to the struggle against homelessness. Congratulations on this well deserved honor.

—Jeff Anderson”

“What you have brought to this world, your love, your passion, your dreams, has entered my world and changed it profoundly. Thank-you, from my heart.

—Tamara Brauchler”

“Congratulations, Genny! You and the team at Sisters are an inspiration! Your leadership, using gentle personalism to build a more compassionate world in which we can all feel welcome and valued for our unique gifts and perspective, is part of what makes Portland special. I look forward to the impact this award will have in giving your work a national profile and shifting the focus of programs for the homeless toward a more inclusive model. I am proud to have shared meals at Sisters and humbly appreciate what I have learned there. Thanks!
—Sue Staehli”


“Genny - You have inspired me and so many others for years. You give us the best of all of your worlds - you live the Sisters’ philosophy every day, and you always find opportunities to spread that philosophy and compassion not just at Sisters, but in all walks of your life. In addition, you never ever forget to acknowledge those who work with you and beside you, honoring their contributions to your effort. There is no doubt in my mind that they could not have found a more worthy and deserving person for this award!
—Bert Seierstad”


“Genny, I am so pleased that your hard work is being appreciated. I would love to be able to be able to say “Good Show” in person, but since I can’t know that I follow all the doing from a far. I was so pleased to have met you in Hood River. What you had to say and what you stand for gave a greatly needed boost. Again, Congratulations.
—Chris Orcutt”


“Congratulations Genny! What a remarkable honor this award must be. You have given disenfranchised people everywhere, a human face, a face that no one of good conscience can afford to shirk. May God continue to bless you in this healing ministry. May this new honor sustain you; bring you good health as well as the monetary means to continue this loving work.

—Linda Ross Swanson, Business Development Director, Forest Park Credit Union”


“Congratulations, Genny! Although I haven’t seen you in years, you continue to be one of the few people who have influenced me in a major way. You have always walked the talk of nonviolence and gentle personalism, and the National Caring Award could not be more well deserved. If in fact, ‘A nation is what it honors,’ thank goodness there’s still hope!

—Sly Zelnys”


“Genny, my Heartfelt Congratulations to you on this most deserved award. The work you do is amazing and to be exemplified. Although, we have only met a few times personally, I am a huge fan and supporter of Sisters and the work you all do in the community. If we could all emulate in just a small way what you do, what a more caring and compassionate community Portland as a whole would be. Thank you for spirited giving and non-judgmental compassion, you are an Angel. Congrats, I hope this recognition boosts your current fund-raising campaign tenfold…and then some!

—Becky Bilyeu, Touchstone Coffee House Proprietor”


“Please tell her from Linda (Keene) Ford and Larry Qualls who (used to come to Sisters and) now live in Alabama, *****CONGRATULATIONS****WISH WE WERE THERE!! HUG HER FOR US PLEASE!!”