In early summer, the clinic received a handwritten letter addressed to me.

The sender was a woman named Denise who had stayed at the Lantern House while her husband underwent treatment.

She wrote that she had been reluctant to accept help.

Her family had always taken pride in paying its own way, and she was embarrassed to need transportation vouchers and a safe place to rest.

On her first evening, Anika had told her that the center did not keep score.

People contributed when they could, and received help when they needed it.