Meet Joy Matsushita-Saul and Jon Linton of I Have A Name and Let’s Be Better Humans

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Matsushita-Saul and Jon Linton.

Joy and Jon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
To start, let’s begin at the beginning. Jon Linton began a project called I Have A Name to honor those on the streets. He had a good friend and work associate that had gotten clean of a horrible heroin addiction. Was clean for several years and had family, home and a good job. Bob, his friend, was in a terrible car accident and was put on opioids for his pain. That led him back to heroin and a downward spiral from there. He lost his job, home and finally his family. He died on the streets. Jon took action. With camera in hand, he began a photographic journey that still goes on to this day. Taking pictures of the destitution on the streets, his first photograph, he sat down and talked with a veteran. As the conversation went on, he pardoned himself and asked the gentleman’s name. With tears in his eyes, this man said it had been years since anyone had asked his name. Thus, I Have A Name was born.

Jon’s photographs led to exhibitions in California and Arizona (he has a current showing at the AZ Heritage Center). He decided to parlay this into an income with the selling of tee shirts, proceeds to go to a meal for veterans. Creating a logo, Let’s Be Better Humans, he was able to sell those shirts and create an offshoot project by the same name.

With purposeful intent, he decided to make his ideal dream come true. An old school bus to serve those in need. Jon had the bus painted bright purple (by street artist, Lalo Cota) with the Let’s Be Better Humans logo. With donations of water, food, blankets, clothing, and hygiene products, this bus has become an iconic sight on the streets of Phoenix.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Sometimes (quite often actually) funding can be an issue. We rely solely on the generosity of donors. I know Jon and I have wondered where the next trip would take place hoping the funds would be available. We’ve been lucky so far.

Other struggles include not always having enough for our street neighbors. Again, donations play a big part in this.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about I Have A Name and Let’s Be Better Humans – what should we know?
Every other week we take to the streets in our big, purple bus and hand out food, water, sock, hygiene, dog food, blankets and whatever else we have in donations. Our friends on the streets recognize us and wave and shout for us.

We also are involved in demonstrations against social and political inequities. We have been in the Women’s March, RedforEd March, March for Our Lives, Indigenous March for Protection of Our Water. Ban Immigration demonstrations, the Pride March and many more.

Once a year we take a trip to an impoverished portion of Mexico to deliver toys, food and other necessities to an orphanage there.

This year we will be heading out to Monument Valley at Christmas to provide toys for the children Indigenous tribes.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Kindness is number one and an empathetic feel for our fellow person. We are dedicated to making this a better world and being better humans in the process.

Contact Info:

• Address: Let First Congregational UCC 1407 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (where the bus is stationed)
• Website: https://www.ihaveaname.org
• Phone: 4809939536
• Email: lbbhinfo@gmail.com
• Instagram: @theIhaveanameproject
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lets-Be-Better-Humans-1788255388157891/ https://www.facebook.com/THEIHAVEANAMEPROJECT/
• Twitter: https://m.facebook.com/THEIHAVEANAMEPROJECT/

Image Credit:
Jon Linton

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