Stories
The only proof that counts.
Every story on this page is shared with a signed media release. Nate consented to his name and his voice, but not his face — so watch it like a radio piece.
Nate's story
Two minutes, in his own voice.
Captions are not yet available on this recording. If you need a transcript, email us and we’ll send one.
One case
Four years homeless. Housed in under a month.
He had worked with another provider for four years — an organization that owned housing units — and was still on the street. He told Ashley good luck. She met him, found the barrier nobody had bothered to look for, and had him in an apartment inside of four weeks.
Told by Ashley Bates; the client shared his own version on camera at the 2026 gala.
60–75
meals served every other Sunday
10–30
people helped each week outside any contract
$0
charged to any client, ever
On the night
Their words, printed and put on an easel.
Every quote below was displayed at the gala with the client’s permission. Guests read them on the way in.
In their words
Clients, not case numbers.
I've been around a lot of treatment facilities and different programs. I'm not judging the people, but sometimes people are there, it's a job — they get paid to do it. And then there's people like Ashley that are made to do it. That's her calling in life.
I traveled almost a thousand miles by foot. When I got here I was cold, tired, hungry and scared. I know that my life would not be the way it is today had I not had the help of Bates.
Ashley is my angel. She helped me with furniture. She helped me mentally, to stay positive. I call Ashley my angel — but in all honesty, she is a very big factor in me being successful.
Life is easier. It feels like I'm not surviving, I'm living. Finally. I wouldn't have gotten very far if it wasn't for Blame Bates.
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