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Maslow's Army continues to aid homeless during holiday season

176 views · Published 12 December 2018 · 2:27 · Indexed 23 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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WALNUT HILLS, Ohio (WKRC) - Desmond Brown is happy to open his home to visitors.

These visitors are more like family and they come bearing gifts.

Homeless advocates Brian Garry and members of Maslow's Army have stuck by Desmond since the summer.

"We created a family," Brown said. "We're family. I don't feel like this is a gimick or any publicity stunt. I feel like this is my family coming out and reaching out."

Garry along with Susan and Sam Landis are decorating at least nine homes for Christmas.

Sam dresses like Santa and his wife is his "elf."

They have arms full of decorations and gifts for Desmond.

They're homes of people who just a few short months ago didn't have an indoor living space to call their own.

"Even though some of us got housing, some of us still need help," Brown said. "If you rewind the tapes and go back I told you, if you don't help with the mental health issue, a person will end up homeless."

Desmond and others spent months battling the city over the right to live together in homeless camps.

Police moved the "tent cities" after court orders.

Volunteers pulled together to find long-term, affordable housing for as many people as possible.

"We had been moved from place to place to place," Brown said. "This was, I think, the sixth location. We were at the park at 13th and Republic and we were all sitting there in the park and and up came Over-the-Rhine community housing."

This is the first time in years that Desmond has decorated his own living space with family and this Christmas, he'll be in his own space surrounded by people who loves.

Maslow's Army is still collecting donations to decorate.

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