Stranger she is not to Railroad Square: Marta Koehne has been shepherding her business and some of the area homeless residents for 35 years. Marta guided us through several scenarios, encounters over the years with potential shoplifters. hallucinating shoppers, security supervisors and visits to homeless encampments and eventually interviewing Redwood Gospel Missions' Jeff Gilman and Chris Keyes. The message Marta gathered from her experience was that homelessness is a about people, one at a time and they frequently decline shelter due to unhealed, broken relationships. Of the 2,835 people deemed homeless in Sonoma County last year, the number one reason was due to loss of a job, and number two an argument with the roommate.
From the newly operating SMART train, running along previously encamped right of ways, the closure of US 101 freeway under-crossing, the presence of shelterless people is more visible, and a challenge to most all Railroad Square businesses. Marta's observations and conversations with locals and some Cubans on her recent visit convince her that we all can help reduce the source of isolation and reluctance to accept shelter support by simply recognizing each other's need for acceptance, belonging and hope that trust in friendship can be restored.
Marta's business, Hot Couture at Third Street and Wilson Avenue is a well know haunt for new identities. Just aks Harry Coffey, he has had several makeovers with Marta's extensive inventory. Stop in and browse, live or online:http://www.hotcouturevintage.com
