Dear Kendon,
I’m sure you’ve seen the 147+ comments on your Facebook Reel from April Fools’ Day.
The humorous side of me wanted to laugh—I even caught what seemed like a little dig at Barnett with the way you moved the camera around like he does, which did make me giggle. But beyond that, the video also hurt my heart.
I know you to be a person with strong values, someone who has shown kindness and integrity—I’ve seen it firsthand in our interactions at Pregnancy Care Center. However, most of the people reacting to your video on social media don’t know that side of you.
I worry about the impact this seemingly harmless April Fools’ joke may have on our community, and I wanted to reach out in the hope that you might consider addressing it.
You may not remember me, but I was the Office Manager at Pregnancy Care Center for a time. I still have and use your pens! Since then, I’ve moved around a bit—most recently working as a receptionist at UCAN. My own journey has given me a deeper understanding of housing insecurity. I came close to losing my own housing after being unjustly fired from a job. My savings dwindled quickly. My car broke down, which ultimately contributed to my job loss. My family was struggling, and suddenly, I had no income and no clear path forward. I was fortunate enough to find work before things spiraled further, but it made me realize just how many people in our community are only one or two misfortunes away from losing everything.
While working at UCAN, I interacted with many people experiencing homelessness—some with jobs, living in their cars. Many had simply made a few mistakes, and then, in an instant, their sense of security was gone. Some admitted to turning to substances only after losing their housing. Others were afraid to be around those who used drugs. Many tried seeking help through the Gospel Rescue Mission but either lost their spot due to strict rules or missed job opportunities because of those same rules.
I’m sharing this not to criticize, but to provide perspective. I know you’re a successful businessman with a heart, and I truly believe you care about this community. And yes—the joke was funny in a certain light. But it also reinforced harmful stereotypes and added fuel to a conversation that, unfortunately, too often lacks compassion. That’s why I felt compelled to reach out.
I encourage you to consider using your platform to help advocate for real solutions—whether by supporting programs like MINT or simply speaking up about the complexity of homelessness. Not everyone in that situation is a drug user. Not everyone is a “bad” person. Most are just trying to survive, like you and me.
I understand that times are tough, and the presence of homeless shelters may pose challenges for the local real estate market, but please remember—these are people too.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I sincerely wish you well.
Best,
Rachael Ramsay
PS if you determine that you would like to address a response to the April Fools’ Day reel, The Grants Pass Tribune has stated that they are open to assisting you: john@grantspasstribune.com