Bobbi felt a strong pull to interview the people of the homeless community, to learn their stories, hear their disappointments and dreams, and understand where they came from before they began living outside. Bobbi Rathert returned from her Mississippi River kayak trip in 2022 with relief to be back in the familiar place of home. Living on the river, camping on its banks, and repeating it day after day alone was an incredible experience of complicated challenges and unnerving hazards. But home was always on Bobbi's mind as it became her touchstone while living outdoors.
Once home, she walked through La Crosse again, feeling the sense of refuge and security that comes from belonging to a community and neighborhood. But the contrast between her rooted experience and that of the people she saw unhoused and often seen wandering in the community was profound.
As she walked along the river park, Bobbi passed a man staring across at the large tent encampment. It was an active neighborhood, even though temporary, full of unhoused people going about on foot, riding bicycles, and carrying provisions from one tent to another. The man spoke, "Why can't something be done?" His face was pained when he said, "I will just keep praying for them," he shook his head, switching from compassion to overwhelmed as he walked done the trail.