Being invisible…
Several friends had forwarded a link to me, Invisible People TV. I’ve taken the time to watch and hear some of the stories. It is well worth the time spent to put a voice and a face to this nation’s homeless community. Here is Emil’s story….
There are many more stories, men, women and children that are facing a new reality of their own…homelessness. Some of these single moms have jobs but the only place to live might be a week-to-week hotel room. I can’t imagine raising my children in this situation.
There are so many ways…easy ways…that you can make a difference. Just find one. For example, right now I’m collecting band-aids for distributions done by a local organization Homeless Gear. If you can help me find a ton of band aids, send me the information via this blog. We can’t help heal the wounds of most of these hearts, but we can make sure a simple cut does not get infected.
What are you doing to make a difference? Thank you…every little bit helps.
Attacks on the homeless: “sport” or “entertainment”?
Seeing life differently
A friend passed on a piece of information on the homeless that I have to say, brought an issue into focus…sort of like turning a kaleidoscope just a bit and seeing something differently. The danger of living on the streets just got bigger in my life.
There are a number of articles that have been, and continue to be, written on the brutal attacks on the homeless. The New York Times reports that several states, beginning with Maryland, have introduced legislation to make attacks to the homeless to be part of an expanded coverage under their Hate Crime laws.
There are other points in this article that I found extremely disturbing pertaining to what these attacks can look like:
- “Sometimes, researchers say, one homeless person attacks another in turf battles or other disputes.
- But more often, they say, the assailants are outsiders: men or in most cases teenage boys who punch, kick, shoot or set afire people living on the streets,
- frequently killing them, simply for the sport of it, their victims all but invisible to society.”
The sport of it? Seriously? It gets even worse, the article goes on to say,
- “Further, in the last several years the Internet has seen a proliferation of “bum fight” videos, shot by young men and boys who are seen beating the homeless or who pay transients a few dollars to fight each other.”
There is something horrifically wrong in a society that brutal attacks against anyone because they have been deemed “inhuman”. There is something even more insane in promoting this activity as in a 2008 MAXIM blog entitled “Hunt the Homeless”. This is beyond my comprehension. Did you know YouTube features the ‘bum fight videos’ spoken about above? Did you know their viewing audience is on the rise? Is this the new ‘reality’ entertainment in America?
In a simple Google search, I found more information on this horrendous behavior than I ever thought possible. My question to you is, why do we tolerate this?
Again…do what you can do in your neighborhood, your church, your community even your bridge club to speak for the invisible…be their voice…make a difference for people who are not seen, let alone heard.
Tina, what should we do?
As Tina, her mom and I finished our coffee I had another question to ask Tina. “What should we, as a community, be doing for the homeless?” She never hesitated…
“Loveland actually has more than most.” House of Neighborly Services provides some items. Front Porch Ministries offer a hot meal everyday. “But it would be nice to have a safe place to go so you don’t feel like a nuisance, maybe a place that is run by the homeless-trading work for using the facility” She added the following:
- A day shelter
- A place to shower and do laundry
- A place to lay down and rest
- A place to store your gear
I then asked Tina, “What did you learn while being homeless?” Without a thought she said, “I learned how to be humble. I learned how to survive any situation. I learned empathy.” With a distant look she said, “I don’t regret the life experiences I had…I learned you can’t worry about tomorrow.”
Final question…”Tina, if given $10,000 what would you do for the homeless?” She smiled and then thoughtfully said, “I would want to do something big for them-something out of the ordinary. Maybe a big BBQ. Maybe something that would make their life easier, if even for 1 hour…something to relieve that homelessness for a moment.”
As I said my good byes and we all gave hugs, Tina added one last comment, “I am finally becoming the person I’d always thought I’d be.” Now, that is a great closing thought. I would dare say most of us would have a difficult time making that statement. We have a lot to learn from those people that remain in our periphery…those people who have taken a different path than us…those people who have something to say if we only ask.
There are other Tinas out there…each in a different place in their journey. Take time to see them…take time to hear them…take time to make a difference. You can either reach out personally or help those agencies in your community who can do it on your behalf. We are not all called to give the hugs, but we are all called to give something.
Thank you Tina, for your courage, transparency and commitment to make life better for so many…if even for just a moment. My life is better for having met you and shared time with you. Next cup of coffee is on me and I’ll try not to ask too many questions. 
Tina…the road home and back to the homeless
It seemed Tina had made a turn in her life. Given new tools to deal with the anger in her life and another opportunity before her, she was on a new path…a possibility of new beginnings. I’m not sure if even Tina knew, at that time, where her next decision would lead.
Cornerstone, a non-profit residential rehab facility, offered Tina a chance…a chance to get ‘clean & sober’ for the first time, in a long time. She took it. In saying yes to Cornerstone, Tina said yes to new friends and a new way of living life. She said, “I said no to the problems of a crazy lifestyle.”
Tina completed the program and on July 5, 2009 her mom came out to California to pick her up and bring her home. Although afraid to leave her friends and an incredible support system, Tina moved forward. In hindsight she now says, “California is dead to me.” But with the wisdom of an old Sage, she is quick to add, “I don’t live like that anymore but it doesn’t mean I’m not like that.” Tina never forgets what life could be like.
I met Tina as she volunteered with me. I could quickly see why she made this self-assessment, “I have an endless capacity to serve.” Her energy and enthusiasm to serve is in deed endless. Tina currently focuses that capacity to help the homeless in our community. Tina loves to help others, especially those who she shares so much with. How does she continue to take care of herself as she spends time in a place that remains a distant memory? “I set boundaries so they are not going to take advantage of me.” Tina understands an important part of volunteering and caring for others…don’t sacrifice yourself for the sake of others. You cannot give what you do not have, and Tina has learned that by taking care of herself, she can care for so many others.
I had to ask Tina a question, (for those who know me you probably have a smile on your face) “Why did you call your mom? You had lived most of your life away from her.” Tina shared that after she buried her father, on her 30th birthday, she found letters that her mom had written to her while she lived with her dad. Her father had kept the letters but had not shared them with Tina. She was angry, but realized that she called her mom because “I needed someone who KNEW me. I never hid from my mom who I was.”
I met Tina’s mom during this interview. She is a wonderful woman and it is so great to see all that is being restored to each of them and their relationship. Tina, more than most of us, understands the importance of time and its value, especially to those important to her…those in need. “I’ll give of my time…that is all I have to give.”
I had one more question to ask Tina…tomorrow her answer.
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