If it hadn't been for my "crowd of witness" I would have been there. At 67 my marriage ended and I was literally kicked out. My pastor and my therapist found me "respite resources" and with the exception of 2 weeks in and extended stay motel although I was statically homeless ( aka known as no permanent address) I never spent a night in our terrible "rescue mission". Also, I've helped run homeless shelters.
I became homeless in my early forties, as a result of untreated depression and unrecognized addiction. I was supremely lucky to have had people advocate on my behalf, and I was eventually able to access supportive services, despite being transgender.
I am absolutely certain that I would be unable to access those services today, even with the privilege I have due to my skin colour, my educational background, and my professional career.
Until you experience it, you cannot appreciate how very quickly one can become unhoused and how drastically it impacts the simplest things. It can become inescapable so quickly, and you lose any ability to plan. For anything. Well, beyond that night.
We must fix this. The resources are available if we make it our priority.
Agreed other countries have been able to compassionatly end their homeless issues. To the overall benefit of the country and communities as people (human beings) who have homes will typically work. Making and spending money supporting the economy. It also helps combat things like population stagnation, illness and death.
I don’t think anyone chose to be homeless, but we become homeless when we play into circumstances and when circumstances placed into us Sam. Criminalizing and justifying that as Disturbance and disorder doesn’t make it right or remedy the problem.
I really love what you did here and I’m so proud. I got to be a part of it and I got to read it. You’re amazing Sam 🥰
If it hadn't been for my "crowd of witness" I would have been there. At 67 my marriage ended and I was literally kicked out. My pastor and my therapist found me "respite resources" and with the exception of 2 weeks in and extended stay motel although I was statically homeless ( aka known as no permanent address) I never spent a night in our terrible "rescue mission". Also, I've helped run homeless shelters.
One more cause I champion
I became homeless in my early forties, as a result of untreated depression and unrecognized addiction. I was supremely lucky to have had people advocate on my behalf, and I was eventually able to access supportive services, despite being transgender.
I am absolutely certain that I would be unable to access those services today, even with the privilege I have due to my skin colour, my educational background, and my professional career.
Until you experience it, you cannot appreciate how very quickly one can become unhoused and how drastically it impacts the simplest things. It can become inescapable so quickly, and you lose any ability to plan. For anything. Well, beyond that night.
We must fix this. The resources are available if we make it our priority.
Agreed other countries have been able to compassionatly end their homeless issues. To the overall benefit of the country and communities as people (human beings) who have homes will typically work. Making and spending money supporting the economy. It also helps combat things like population stagnation, illness and death.
I don’t think anyone chose to be homeless, but we become homeless when we play into circumstances and when circumstances placed into us Sam. Criminalizing and justifying that as Disturbance and disorder doesn’t make it right or remedy the problem.
I really love what you did here and I’m so proud. I got to be a part of it and I got to read it. You’re amazing Sam 🥰