Greetings priest Michael, I read your post regarding the organization for the benefit of the homeless and destitute with great interest. My name is Stark and I too recently arrived here, only a few nights ago. I have some experience with running small businesses, and in my youth worked and lived in a Illmateri shelter. My primary concern now is establishing my own business once again, as I plan to make this place my permanent home. However, perhaps our two goals can mesh together as one. Please allow me to give you a brief understanding of my past. My father was a professional soldier within the city of Athkatla in Amn. He died when I was very young, leaving my mother, myself and my three younger brothers without a father. My mother grew very ill soon after and was not able to afford lodgings within the nicer parts of the city. We were forced to move into the slums and fend for ourselves. I, being the oldest at fourteen summers, and quite strong and tall for my age, was accepted into a gang. I did many things there that I am not proud of, and justified it by being able to provide for my family. Six years of this made me a hardened man. Eventually I was caught, wounded in the street after a fight with another young man, and imprisoned for a multitude of crimes. I was administered to by a young Illmateri priest named Kevan for my wounds. He visited me as often as was possible and when I was released, I went and worked in the shelter that he belonged to. I did menial work there for a few years, and still remember much of the day to day runnings of that place. This knowledge helped me later when I opened up my own trading business. As my project grew I am ashamed to say I lost touch with my friend Kevan, and more interested in making coin. I have had much time to think on these things as a slave, and wish to make them right. In part to pay back the efforts of my friend, in part to atone for my many sins, and in part because the people whom he tended were people just like my family. There are many here that go without food, shelter and medicine. I am in the middle of writing a proposal to the town council to create a multifunctional shelter, that provides these services and a way to train its inhabitants in a useful trade. It would seem to have a better chance of going through if we aided each other. I hope this proposed partnership interests you and finds you in good health.
Warmest regards, Kharkres Stark