When he was homeless, Clyde Hensley remembers being drunk and passed out on the railroad tracks, at a true low point, when a Salvation Army pastor pulled him up and led him on a new path of sobriety, which now includes a roof over his head.
Hensley now makes it his mission to help others. The songwriter will take part in the “Busking For Bus Passes” event Saturday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m., at The East End Venue, 15 Broad St., in the Middlebury neighborhood (also the location of the Homeless Charity nonprofit). Hensley will be joined by musician Bosch Nelson, and the event also will include a 50/50 raffle and food.
Proceeds will help provide weekly bus passes for former residents of the Homeless Charity’s tent city, so they can commute to and from the day center where they still volunteer. Money raised also will benefit the nonprofit’s day center.
Poetry and music have served as tools for Hensley to give back to others who are as vulnerable as he once was. “I’ve always loved music,” he said. “I don’t have money, but I have been bestowed music. I use what I have to help others. Once I became sober, I knew I had to help others any way I could through music.”
For info, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/2044605915592680/.
