Saint Martin’s Harvie Social Justice Lecture to explore homeless man’s experience

LACEY, WASHINGTON — Richard LeMieux, author of “Breakfast at Sally’s – One Homeless Man’s Inspirational Journey,” will share his memoir in a public lecture to illustrate the diversity and humanity of the homeless population. LeMieux’s presentation begins at 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, in Norman Worthington Conference Center on the Saint Martin’s University Lacey campus, 5000 Abbey Way SE. The event is free of charge.

Once known by his friends as “the man who had everything,” LeMieux lived a life of luxury in a 5,000 square foot waterfront home near Seattle. But a dramatic change of fortunes drove him into bankruptcy, and he lost everything – including his home, his wife and his children. Forced to move into his old mini-van, LeMieux was overcome with shame and despair and nearly committed suicide, but was saved by the love of his beloved dog Willow.

LeMieux wrote “Breakfast at Sally’s” mostly at picnic tables in city parks on a portable, mechanical typewriter while he was homeless for nearly three years. Although he wrote it with no purpose in mind except as a way to fill his time, the National Library Association has declared it to be a “must read.” It has received glowing reviews in over 30 newspapers across the country, including The New York Times and Christian Science Monitor.

His book has inspired many to take action on behalf of the homeless. Six homeless shelters and meal programs have been birthed across North America as a direct result of individuals reading “Breakfast at Sally’s.”

LeMieux has spoken at the National Alliance of the Homeless conference in Washington, D.C., at events in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle, and at many universities, high schools and civic organizations.

The Robert A. Harvie Social Justice Lecture Series, now in its seventh year, was created by Saint Martin’s University Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Robert Hauhart, Ph.D., J.D., chair of the University’s Department of Society and Social Justice, to raise awareness of social justice issues within the community and to honor the work of Robert A. Harvie, J.D., former professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at Saint Martin’s.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, coeducational university located on a 380-acre wooded campus in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 23 majors and seven graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education, nursing and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus, and 650 more to its extension campuses located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Centralia College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University website at www.stmartin.edu.

For additional information:

Robert Hauhart, Ph. D., J.D.
Chair, Department of Society and Social Justice
360-438-4525
rhauhart@stmartin.edu

Sarah Holdener
Director of Community Relations and Event Management
Office of Marketing and Communications
Saint Martin’s University
360-412-6140
sholdener@stmartin.edu