Visalia Rescue Mission to host 24‑hour “Conversations on a Bench” Oct. 9–10 in Visalia

Michael Simmons, program director with the Visalia Rescue Mission, invited task force members to a public event called “Conversations on a Bench,” a 24‑hour, livestreamed community conversation starting at noon on Oct. 9 and running until noon on Oct. 10.

Simmons said the event — which will be livestreamed on the rescue mission’s social platforms and the mission’s website — is not intended to simulate homelessness but to encourage informal conversations about homelessness, mental health, addiction and food insecurity. “It is not in any way intended to, like, simulate homelessness. It is simply about just engaging in conversation about the topics that we care about,” Simmons said.

Simmons said residents, clients and service providers with lived experience will be welcome to sit and talk; he also invited task force members to sign up in advance or drop in during the 24‑hour period. The event will be staged at the rescue mission’s downtown site at the corner of Santa Fe and First Avenue, and staff said they will provide a sign‑up link for volunteers who want to participate.

Why this matters

Simmons said the goal is to surface lived experience and community perspectives and to create informal listening opportunities that complement formal provider meetings and planning efforts.

Additional details

Simmons said the event will be live streamed on social platforms and on the rescue mission’s event page; staff will share a sign‑up link for participants and a contact card with his phone number for those who want to reserve a time slot.