Houstonians join ‘Conversations on a Bench’ at Open Door Mission for honest talks about homelessness, addiction, and mental health

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An invisible line separates stability from crisis, but are we always willing to talk about it?

While it may feel difficult, that’s exactly what community members were encouraged to do during “Conversations on a Bench,” a 24-hour in person and online event where anyone could walk up, sit down, and engage in open, meaningful conversations at Open Door Mission, located at 5803 Harrisburg Ave., east of downtown Houston.

This year, the nationwide conversation took place from Oct. 9-10, and Houston was involved for the first time.

Open Door Mission CEO Brandan Thomas welcomed the public to the bench.

“In order to improve our city, our state, and our nation, we need to understand its people and the real challenges they face. These conversations matter because they give a voice to those on the brink, to those overcoming obstacles, and to those who simply want to help,” Thomas said.

But even if you weren’t in Houston, you could participate. People from all over joined online during the 24-hour livestream to ask questions and hear stories in real-time.

The event happened across the U.S. and Canada in partnership with Citygate Network, North America’s largest association of faith-based missions.

Over 75 CEOs from other missions all sat on a bench to hold similar talks, each in their own city.

Thomas started “Conversations on a Bench” in 2017 when he was the CEO of Winchester Rescue Mission in Winchester, Virginia. He was looking for a way to not only raise money for the mission, but share the stories of the work going on there.

Thomas sat on a bench for 24 hours, inviting conversations about homelessness, hunger, human trafficking, and the many barriers people face in everyday life.

According to organizers, the response was extraordinary.

Out of it came transformative stories of recovery to expressing heartfelt frustrations with systemic challenges.

It may also come as no surprise that an event about the real, raw, complexities of life resonated, especially given some of the economic and housing stability hurdles facing cities everywhere, including Houston.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s 2025 State of Housing in Houston and Harris County report found that affordability gaps have only deepened. It states that residents in Houston and Harris County experience an affordability gap of $175,967 and $129,763, respectively.

The burden doesn’t get any lighter if you’re a renter.

Large increases in rent created more cost-burdened households, the report states.

Homelessness remains a constant in the conversation.

In March 2025, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the city released more details about a $70 million plan to end street homelessness by 2026. ABC13’s partners at Community Impact reported that the first nearly $22 million for the project was secured.

Still, it’s not something that provides a solution overnight.

ABC13 has repeatedly reported on city plans and recent efforts to decommission some encampments downtown while others have appeared.

According to the nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless, 3,280 people in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery Counties were homeless during last year’s count.

The nonprofit’s report says 34% of them are living on the streets, outside of shelters. The report also shows that 39% of those living outside have been doing so for three years or more.

Homelessness, according to the nonprofit, has dropped more than 60% in Houston since 2011 as city officials focus on outreach and affordable housing.

SEE ALSO: City of Houston working to open ‘superhub’ for homeless near Shell Stadium

Even so, as “Conversations on a Bench” showed, it’s an ongoing worthy conversation whether you’ve faced a crisis or simply want to better understand the world around you.

Find more information about Open Door Mission and “Conversations on a Bench.”