A couple years back, I noticed the worsening of a phenomenon that has persisted to the present day. The usual trip to Sam's Club was also accompanied by the follow on donation to the "guy on the corner with the cardboard sign". They were different each week, both in age, color, and circumstances. My interest started due to my Catholic upbringing. The nuns would teach us to give to the poor since we will be judged partly by how many times we gave food, shelter, or clothing to those in need. They also taught us not to judge. Walk in their shoes and then decide if YOU would be the one standing on the corner if raised poor, mentally challenged, drug addicted at birth, etc. So my Catholic conscience induced me to hand them a buck, $5, then as much as I thought I could afford within my family budget.
Funding led to curiosity about what drives a person to beg for money on a street corner. So I asked a few. Here are the responses:
Homeless guy 1 - "My wife is insane. I'm unemployed and told that I have the lung capacity of a 70 year old man (COPD, I think he called it, from roofing material asbestos, he thought). The local assistance agency said he could only stay 2 weeks. They said "call us when your wife dies"".
Homeless guy 2 - I tried to do yard work in a poor neighborhood. They stole my knapsack, bike, and shot me through the stomach. They told me not to come back to their neighborhood. Then he showed the scar on his hand where the bullet grazed it after pass through his stomach. He still had a house to sleep in but the utilities were turned off shortly after his wife's leg was removed (gangrene due to diabetes).
Homeless guy 3 - Sitting on the sidewalk outside the local restaurant. "I'm glad you are asking about my problems, most people just walk on by like I'm not here. (A tear was caught by the wind and I felt it strike my hand). I am hoping to get enough for a hotel since it's dangerous sleeping in the woods. Others like me will steal my possessions." After going into the restaurant to get some food and some more change, I returned to find him gone. Later I saw him on his bike. He was one of the "lucky" ones who had some form of transportation.
As the years have gone by and I now find myself retired with adequate funds, my interest has turned to curiosity and a sense of "giving back" before my last breath on this earth. A trip up the road to Catholic Charities yielded a brochure with phone numbers and general information. Not knowing the specifics of the type of help they would provide, I just began handing a brochure to each "street corner friend" along with the obligatory few bucks.
You see how this is growing into a learning experience. I signed up for social ministry at Church and was asked to bag personal belongings of the homeless who would spend the night at a local Church hall. It was very interesting to say the least. Run like clockwork now, the program was started about 20 years ago and lasts only through the colder months here in southeast Virginia, November through April, I think.
The routine has been whittled down to fine science. Doors don't open until the deputy sheriff arrives to breathalize and frisk with a metal detector upon entrance into the hall. The stream of nearly 120(?) folks begins to flow with names matched with numbers for placement on large duffle bags (home made) that holds all the worldly goods of these unfortunate folks.
My first impression suggested a group consisting of young and old, chronic and first time homeless, black and white, 80% male to 20% female, mentally hurting and some quite jovial. But ALL were very cordial and appreciative of the opportunity for a hot meal, a beer, over the counter meds, a shower if desired, and a good night's sleep. Yes, a prayer was said before the cafeteria style meal. Breakfast was to be provided the following morning.
I was told by our Church social worker "the overnight experience is something else again". Being a newby at this, I left the hall around 9:30 as the overnight coordinators were handing out the foam mats for the sleeping area that was taped off for men, and partitioned apart from the women's area. A list of the Church hall locations (different each week) was handed out on the first day.
My understanding of this process is still fairly vague. One on one interviews were held after the check in process. I was told the information goes to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and an effort is made to provide and help with housing, etc. that may be available. The help comes both from HUD and private charity. My first thought upon leaving was about the need for help during the warmer months from May through October. I request that when you see the homeless, give them a list of shelters (from Social Services?) if you have one and any funds you can afford to give. No matter what, TRUST GOD! Peace be with you all! We need not all be Mother Teresa but nor do we need to be "they just want money for drugs and liquor" individuals. Email your ideas to me please. My journey in this area has just begun and I need all the help I can get.
0 comments:
Post a Comment