On Friday, November 1, tenants from Magdala House’s multiple unhoused locations gathered at the bus stop for an important outing: early voting on 300 N. Tucker. Arriving just in time to avoid the longer lines that followed, the group brought a sense of pride and excitement. Some tenants walked independently, while others received assistance with walkers or canes. Their smiles and resolve showed the significance of this moment.
This initiative was led by Occupational Therapist (OT) Davis and a dedicated team of OTs who worked together to make voting accessible to all tenants. In the days leading up to early voting, Davis and the OT team held sessions at various unhoused locations, ensuring each tenant had the chance to participate in this civic responsibility. These sessions covered essentials such as completing sample ballots, understanding ID requirements, registering in Missouri, and researching the issues at stake. Through practice sessions, tenants filled out sample ballots while the OTs guided them through each proposition and amendment. These preparations provided practical information and created a supportive space for tenants to discuss the topics respectfully, free from personal political opinions.
“This demographic is often overlooked during elections,” Davis explained. “It’s important that every voice is heard, especially for those often underrepresented. Voting allows them to participate fully as citizens and have their needs and perspectives recognized.” With Davis’s leadership and the collective support of the OTs, tenants from each location felt empowered and well-prepared to make their voices heard.
For one tenant, in particular, the experience held profound meaning. In his sixties and a tenant at one of Magdala’s unhoused locations, he reflected on his father’s fight for voting rights. “I’m here because I have the right to vote,” he shared while waiting in line. “It’s a right. Just like it is a right for women to vote. Whether we agree or not, it’s a right we hold as American citizens.”
This day was more than just a trip to the polls—it reminded them of their voices, rights, and power. As they returned to their unhoused locations, the tenants felt satisfied that they had taken a stand, exercising a right that honored the past and shaped the future.
