A One Love volunteer proviides a mom and her baby with donated items
(Photo courtesy of One Love World)
CAROLINE SAVOIE | Staff Writer
CarolineLSavoie@gmail.com
LONGVIEW — One Love World (formerly One Love Longview), a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the homeless population in East Texas, is navigating significant political headwinds that have forced the agency into mobile operations.
Founder Amanda Veasy said the challenges escalated when One Love World received a notice to vacate its new property in downtown Longview due to alleged zoning issues. Veasy contends that this was a targeted action, as other non-profit organizations on church-owned property in the city are not facing similar eviction notices.
“It doesn’t matter. Just like the last time we had to move, this is not a zoning or governmental issue. If it was a zoning issue, the other nonprofits wouldn’t be able to be on the property,” Veasy said.
Veasy said she made the difficult decision to submit One Love World’s 30-day notice to vacate, unwilling to knowingly put another non-profit at risk.
Despite losing its physical location, One Love World has adapted by providing mobile services at various locations throughout the week, Veasy said. Its dedicated team of mostly full-time volunteers continues to offer essential aid including showers, laundry, food boxes, snack packs, clothing, hygiene products and crucial case management.
However, Veasy and other volunteers said, the lack of a fixed facility poses challenges for the organization’s medical clinic services.
Veasy said that political opposition has further complicated their efforts. She said that the city manager discouraged city employees from attending a harm reduction training hosted by One Love World. And, she added, the organization was deliberately excluded from recent stakeholder meetings aimed at finding solutions for homelessness in Longview — a move Veasy found particularly frustrating.
“I’m upset because we’re literally the reason that the entire conversation is even happening. And we’re the only organization that wasn’t invited,” she said.
Despite these obstacles, One Love World’s unique approach remains unwavering. As a non-faith-based and LGBTQ-affirming organization, it provides assistance without conditions, a contrast to other local providers.
“What makes One Love different from the other organizations that [the mayor] chooses to highlight? We are non-faith-based [and] LGBTQ-affirming, and we don’t have strings attached,” Veasy said.
This harm reduction approach, however, has led to accusations of “enabling” from some locals, she said.
Veasy credits her dedicated team, particularly her “tasker, organizer, doer” assistant director Aryana Pearson, for One Love’s ability to adapt and continue its vital work. She also expressed her gratitude for the discreet support from some businesses and individuals in the community.
Looking ahead, Veasy and her team are focused on maintaining their mobile services and navigating the political landscape.
“We are hell-bent on making sure every person in Longview has their basic needs met,” Veasy said. “If we have to stay underground for that to happen, we will. But support from the city would obviously make our work and the lives of our neighbors easier.”