Former homeless man feeds displaced in Coronado Park

ALBUQUERQUE— Shennon Morgan knows what it’s like to not know where your next hot meal is coming from. He said his family disowned him in 2010, and he became homeless.

"I was a lift operator at ski Santa Fe,” he said. “That job saved my life. And I was basically living in my snow gear 24/7."

But he turned things around, and now lives in Albuquerque and owns his own business. But he still understands the value of being treated with respect when you’re at your lowest. He wants to pass that respect on to others experiencing homelessness.

"These people need to be treated like humans. And we don’t do that often,” Morgan said.

He goes to Coronado Park about three times a year to feed the homeless there. He spends money out of his own pocket to make soup, pasta, and other dishes.

"It shouldn’t be this way to begin with,” he said. “It’s enriching to be here to help them, but I feel heartbroken. We’re sick of this."

People in the park said the hot meal is a blessing.

"Oh gosh, it’s all from the man upstairs,” said Jovan Begay, who has been living in the park for about five months.

"It means everything,” said another woman who has lived there on and off for three years. “It’s amazing that people come out and care about us."

Morgan said he hopes that a business will sponsor him, so he can get to the park more often. Long term, he said he would love to also get a permit from the city to put on a concert or other events.

"They’re no different than we are,” said Morgan. “Being displaced now does not define your future."