4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS IN MEMORIAM In memory of Travis Bogan JULY 5, 1989 - OCTOBER 25, 2025 Travis playing guitar and singing – that’s the way many remember the wellloved community member who died way too young on October 25. Whether it was 1990s grunge or tunes of his own creation, Travis Bogan, who sometimes went by Travis John, Travis Stoltz, Tee Thunder among others, could be found expressing his deep feelings through music anywhere from Graffiti Alley to the steps of the library to Purple House. Holding an even higher place in his heart than his music was his daughter Gisele, 9. He would talk about her to anyone he got to know, and remained friends with her mother Lisa so they could participate together in raising her. He thought Gisele was the best thing in the world. Travis, born July 5, 1989, to Jeff and Ronda (now Darish) Bogan, grew up in Linden, Mich., a small town near Flint. He attended Dexter High School for a year before being injured and returning to Linden. He then moved to Ann Arbor when he was in his early twenties and has remained active and popular in the homeless community for his musical gifts and playful sense of humor, as well as for lending a hand to others when he could. He was in Permanent Supportive Housing at the time of his death. In what has to be one of the most painful scenarios imaginable, two of Travis‘s three brothers also died in the past 3 1/2 years, Justin only a week before Travis himself. He was still having trouble processing his brother Chase’s 2022 death at the age of 28 when he was hit with the passing of Justin. He is survived by three sisters, his mom and dad, and grandmother called Nana as well as many extended family members. A memorial service for Travis was held at Mercy House on November 8. People spoke of how Travis touched their lives and many cried. Afterwards, a group went over to Graffiti Alley and spray painted or markered their love for Travis. Mom Ronda Darish remembers his childhood fondly and says, “Travis was an awesome kid. He had snow white hair; it almost glowed. He was always just beautiful, and he has always had a very kind heart. He always was a nice dresser, loved looking his best. All the girls loved him.” "Travis. You are the new Shakey Jake. Much love man." — Brian Durrance "Travis has been a bright light in the A2 area since he arrived. He has shared his music and his positive spirit freely. He was always generous with a smile and helped me more than once when I needed it. He will be missed." — Dan “Guided by music, fueled by life, this beautiful misunderstood Rockstar's light will never die." — Alana Call for winter donations from WCO Hi there! My names is Rose and I am a member of Washtenaw Camp Outreach. Washtenaw Camp Outreach is a group made up of friends who help people experiencing homelessness survive. We help keep campsites clean, put on a biweekly BBQ for the community and fight back against injustices. We spend time organizing ourselves and improving our leadership characteristics. Recently I had to move out of my place due to circumstances beyond my control. WCO set me up with a tent, sleeping bag, heater and propane, but most importantly, they kept in touch with me. In fact, what makes WCO different from other groups is that help the homeless is that they genuinely try to make people feel cared for, and that the people who benefit from the survival program are able to join in, like me. We don’t just drop off equipment or keep a counter between us and the ones we serve, like a soup kitchen. No, the homeless experiencing homelessness don’t need hand-outs, they need friends. If you need a reason to help, it’s because someone needs you to show them they are cared about. We are in desperate need of winter ROSE STRICKLAND Groundcover vendor No. 25 supplies and would appreciate it if the community could help our loved ones out by donating things such as blankets and quilts, below-freezing sleeping bags, propane tanks (1-lb green and 20-lb tanks), tents, tarps and become our family, and we become theirs. To be unsheltered means you don’t know where you are going to sleep next. Being homeless means that you have no one looking out for you and have nowhere to belong. Why should you help? Some people experiencing homelessness might be able to help themselves if they wanted, but most people enter homelessness through tragedy and loss of communal support. People other camping equipment, as well as winter jackets and clothing, thick wool/winter socks, hats, gloves and thermal underwear. And of course, cash donations. Remember that even if you can’t make a material donation, we appreciate volunteers and are always open to new members. Many benefits that help the homeless survive and exit poverty are being cut. The cost of living is rising while wages and jobs people can live off of are shrinking. Hard-working people are being driven from their homes because some landlords raise rents Buddy Heaters save lives! too high for them to pay. Yet many people continue to work or find work even after losing their homes. It isn’t fair — the system isn’t working. Now more than ever, we need to re-examine our preconceived ideas about who the homeless are, how they got there, or what they are doing to help themselves. They need our support now — it’s already too cold. If you are able to help in any capacity, please reach out to Washtenaw Camp Outreach at 734-238-3639, email us at washtenawcampoutreach@ gmail.com, or visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/washcampoutreach/ Digital donations can be sent via Venmo at: @washtenawcampoutreach Card signed by the community at Travis' memorial November 8 NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Travis and his daughter Gisele
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