Please note that this article is not written by me, however is published to this site with the authors consent. All comments will be directly forwarded to the author.
Normally, my weekly blog concerns the homeless. This week it's about me, however, who isn't homeless but came very close to it last week.
I had been rooming with a "friend" from work for about four months. I originally moved in because the housing cost in Grand Junction has skyrocketed. For example, a 3-bedroom townhouse rents for around $1500 monthly. My goal to moving in with this friend was to save money, and to buy a home in Denver soon.
My son and I moved in with this friend and her family in early November. My roommate had three daughters living with her, one of whom had a small baby herself, and a live-in teenage boyfriend. It was definitely a full household. We shared a room, sleeping on bunkbeds, thinking that it was great because I would save a fortune and, at the same time, help my friend who was having financial difficulties at the time (her husband had been incarcerated).
Within this time, my roommate found the "love of her life" and has since decided to move him in and kick me out. She gave me nine days notice, knowing that I had been living paycheck to paycheck. She also knew that I had not saved any money due to the huge grocery bill (half of which I inanely paid for her kids to eat). I was essentially supporting not just myself and my son while living there, but the eating habits of her three children, and the teenage boyfriend. I was paying anywhere between 30%-50% of the grocery bill, which was way too much. I was also giving her a portion of the rent she paid and a percentage of the utilities. Paying off old bills to improve my credit (to buy my house) was not feasible during this time, and I had less money than when I was paying full rent before in my townhouse.
In a panic, I wasn't sure how I was going to come up with $3000 in nine days to find a place to live. I found it very ironic that others were joking, "Well, maybe she can live on the Point with the rest of her new friends," meaning the homeless. True, I had made some new and interesting homeless friends, but was not looking to join the ranks.
I was really scared. I had never been in a place where I thought I wouldn't have a home. Thankfully, I found who my true friends were and have since moved. I only purchase groceries for myself and my son, and the rent is even cheaper than it was with her. I have also been able to pay off some bills and have actively renewed my goal of buying my own home.
I wrote this for all of you who think that being homeless is a black-and-white issue. Statements like "They just dont want to work" or "They could find a job if they really wanted to" are just ignorant when you look at my situation. I am educated, work, have a decent wage, and come from a very comfortable background. Yet, there I was, almost in the same situation as the people I have been profiling, with no roof over my head, wondering how this could've happened. I have learned valuable lessons from this, ones of friendship, independence, and compassion.
Thank you to those that have shown these to me. You know who you are.
Edited by Kristin N.
All Comments Welcome
Friday, March 7, 2008
Homeless In Hell-Charles
Please note that this article is not written by me, however is published to this site with the authors consent. All comments will be directly forwarded to the author.
Charles was born and raised in Grand Junction, CO.
His saddest moment occurred when his mother died roughly two years ago. His happiest memory is of his daughter, who lives on a reservation in South Dakota. "She was the happiest baby," he says about his daughter, who is now an adult.
I met Charles outside of my workplace, standing on the sidewalk with his sign. Someone had run him off from the corner of the street, accusing him of "chopping." Chopping apparently means overtaking another homeless person's regular corner of "business." Charles does not, or cannot, stay in the shelter due to an anti-social disorder. Therefore, he camps along the canal where it is slightly wooded.
Charles has spent time in prison for a number of different reasons: burglary and attempted murder at age 19, drug charges in his mid 20s, and more recently received 12 years in prison for assault.
To be honest, I was a little taken aback by these charges, and seeing my apprehension, he quickly explained. He was trying to conduct a "strongarm" burglary, which means that no weapons are used in the process, only intimidation. The store clerk whacked him in the head with a baseball bat, however, and because he had to defend himself, he picked up a nearby bottle and smacked the store clerk in the face, hence the attempted murder charge. With pleading in his eyes, Charles made it clear that he never wanted to hurt anyone, and that he was not a violent person by nature. Sometimes it is necessary in this world.
Charles had been in the U.S. military, stationed in Germany, which resulted in many health problems. Some of these include slipped discs in his spine, and old gunshot wounds in his hand, side, and hip. He can go to the VA hospital for his medication and treatment, but fears that back surgery may render him incapable of walking again. He cannot receive disability payments due to his lack of a physical address. He is more than willing to work to earn money, though, and claims that washing dishes is fine with him. "Anything close, I can't walk too far," he says. However, most people don't want to hire an ex-convict.
Charles was staying with a woman named Mary Jo January, aka "Jojo," who resides on 27 ½ and D Rd here in GJ. During this time, he had gone to Denver to help some friends of his, thinking "how nice to have a roof." When he came back, however, she had kept his things and told him he couldn't come back, and that if he did she would call the police. Charles hasn't been out of prison long enough and the threat of returning there has made him very leery, and thus did not press the issue with Jojo. He had heard of her notorious reputation of taking in the homeless and then ejecting them while keeping their belongings, but disregarded it as a possible rumor, mostly considering that he needed shelter during the harsh winter months. As a solution to his current state of having no home, he is trying to save $500 for a camper. A friend of his says that he can park it on his lot for free. Charles states that the camper would be "just something to cover my head."
While speaking with Charles, he came up with a great idea. He proposed that I set up a PayPal account for donations of which I could then distribute to the homeless. That sounds great, but I'm sure there are some kind of laws I would be breaking without a proper license to receive donations. It sure would save my wallet from being so empty...hahaha...we'll see...it is a fantastic idea.
All Comments Welcome
Edited by Kristin N.
Homeless In Hell-Dorthea and Clarence
Please note that this article is not written by me, however is published to this site with the authors consent. All comments will be directly forwarded to the author.
Dorthea is 53 years old and was born and raised in Denver, where she met Clarence. He is 56. They met and married "in a church". They celebrate 35 years of marriage. "We love each other and all the hard times just make us closer" .
They have been homeless together for about three years now, living in a tent at the "point". When asked why they don't stay at the shelter, "We have dogs, and giving them up is like selling our children". They do not allow pets at the shelter.
Moving from Denver due to gang violence and having young children, They bought and owned a home in the country. Clarence broke both of his legs and could no longer work. A couple of years later they felt as though their only option was to sell their home to cover the medical costs.
They admit to not knowing how to save their money, saying the left over money from the sell of their home was used to travel. When the money was all but gone, they realized they had no real home to come back to. They lived out of their Van for about a year until it broke down in Denver.
They don't mind much living at the "point" "Its an adventure"! The water keeps their food cold enough to not spoil for a few days in the winter, besides the fact that it's cold. In the summer its nice near the water. Dry ice then lets them store their food in the cooler.
Dorthea; who is also in bad health, will work when she can at Labor Ready but doesn't mind "flying a sign" . Clarence is usually the one to hold that sign. It says, "Why lie I could use some beer" They say they don't drink much, but people kind of expect that "all homeless are drunks" and it works.
Their daughter (Tiffany) is also homeless and opts to live at the shelter instead of the point. She has employment but is not able to make enough to cover the high cost of housing here in the Grand Valley. They have another daughter in Florida, and a son in prison.
I love how Dorthea is always smiling and her face is full of emotion. She recently colored her hair "to look younger" she says. Although she looks very different, her face is easily recognized because of the many life and laugh lines. Clarence her loving and supportive husband is always at her side.
All comments welcome
Dorthea is 53 years old and was born and raised in Denver, where she met Clarence. He is 56. They met and married "in a church". They celebrate 35 years of marriage. "We love each other and all the hard times just make us closer" .
They have been homeless together for about three years now, living in a tent at the "point". When asked why they don't stay at the shelter, "We have dogs, and giving them up is like selling our children". They do not allow pets at the shelter.
Moving from Denver due to gang violence and having young children, They bought and owned a home in the country. Clarence broke both of his legs and could no longer work. A couple of years later they felt as though their only option was to sell their home to cover the medical costs.
They admit to not knowing how to save their money, saying the left over money from the sell of their home was used to travel. When the money was all but gone, they realized they had no real home to come back to. They lived out of their Van for about a year until it broke down in Denver.
They don't mind much living at the "point" "Its an adventure"! The water keeps their food cold enough to not spoil for a few days in the winter, besides the fact that it's cold. In the summer its nice near the water. Dry ice then lets them store their food in the cooler.
Dorthea; who is also in bad health, will work when she can at Labor Ready but doesn't mind "flying a sign" . Clarence is usually the one to hold that sign. It says, "Why lie I could use some beer" They say they don't drink much, but people kind of expect that "all homeless are drunks" and it works.
Their daughter (Tiffany) is also homeless and opts to live at the shelter instead of the point. She has employment but is not able to make enough to cover the high cost of housing here in the Grand Valley. They have another daughter in Florida, and a son in prison.
I love how Dorthea is always smiling and her face is full of emotion. She recently colored her hair "to look younger" she says. Although she looks very different, her face is easily recognized because of the many life and laugh lines. Clarence her loving and supportive husband is always at her side.
All comments welcome
Homeless In Hell-George
Please note that this article is not written by me, however is published to this site with the authors consent. All comments will be directly forwarded to the author.
Since I've been taking pictures and writing Blogs on the homeless, I find myself looking for certain people daily. Their pictures are so moving to me that if I haven't already had a chance to talk to them, I seek them out.
George is one of those people, I have been looking for him from day one. I usually see him at the triangle but have come up empty each day. As usual when i see someone at the triangle I stop to ask them if I may take their picture.
Wednesday was such a day. After taking a second look I see that it's George! He has shaved and cut his hair, his jacket and hat are different and jeans are a little cleaner. I asked him if he remembered me. I pulled off the road and went to talk to him.
George has been in the hospital for the past four weeks or so due to a bladder infection and broken ribs, caused by falling down the slope on his way to the "point"; which is where he lives. George has been trying for three years to receive disability.
George comes from Glenwood Springs, he worked there for 18 years when he injured himself on the job. After the Workman's comp ran out, about a year, he moved to Grand junction thinking the the cost of living was cheaper and moved in with a friend who has since moved away. His work injuries were so bad that to stand and bend was a momentous feat. He was not able to hold employment for this reason.
I asked him about family and if he couldn't live with them. He's quite reserved when talking about family. He says, his kids are in Glenwood, father in California, "everyone who was kind-hearted has died" Besides, "I'm an adult, I cant just move in" My family isn't like that anyway, "when you're 18, you're out!"
He motioned back to the cars letting me know he had to get back to his sign. "I have to start over getting things again because when your gone you come back to nothing" I gave him a blanket and pillow that was in my trunk, and wished him luck. Surprisingly; I'm glad to see him back at the triangle.
All Comments Welcome
Homeless In Hell-Brenda
Please note that this article is not written by me, however is published to this site with the authors consent. All comments will be directly forwarded to the author.
Brenda is a 27 year-old woman from Arizona. She moved to Colorado about 10 years ago with her common-law husband and 4 children. Initially, Brenda had a great attitude about moving to Grand Junction. Her husband had a new job, her kids were happy, and all seemed well. On the contrary, Brenda's mental illness and uncontrolled drinking were taking over her life and ruining her family. Two years ago, her children were taken into custody by Social Services, and then adopted by her husband's relatives.
Not knowing how to cope with Brenda's alcoholism and their kids being gone, her husband had turned to another woman for support. Eight months ago, the woman moved into their home, but her husband was not able to throw Brenda out onto the streets. Thanksgiving morning, however, Brenda left her husband's house. She stated that his new girlfriend was so "sick and tired of me drinking and passing out on the sofa," that she beat her senseless while Brenda was asleep. "I have to be safe when I'm passed out," Brenda claimed when asked why she ultimately left.
Brenda suffers from schizophrenia coupled with a family history of mental illness and alcoholism. She drinks excessively to self-medicate, and it's not hard to see why. I asked her what the happiest and saddest moments of her life were, and she told me that her saddest memory was finding her father's body after he committed suicide when she was 13 (she had no relationship with her mother). Her happiest were the births of her children.
Brenda is completely candid about her alcohol abuse, and about everything she has lost due to her mental illness. She admitted that she did not take her medication when it was available to her (typical of the mentally ill), and that she lost every job she'd had as soon as her first paycheck arrived. She immediately headed to the liquor store with it, and made sure she spent every dime on booze. In turn, she'd binge for days afterward, and not show up to work.
When she is not too drunk, Brenda is able to bunk at the homeless shelter. If she can't stay at the shelter, she passes out in the park, in cars, or can sometimes stay at a friend's. She has a couple friends, but they only allow her to stay for the night. She says she's luckier than most, however, because she has these friends as well as John, another homeless person who looks after her when she's on the streets. She says she also feels lucky to still have the memories of her children.
Brenda had court Tuesday, Feb. 5, for stealing from her "favorite liquor store" on 1st ...I hope things turn out okay for her. If she spends time in jail at least she'll be warm and sober.
Edited by Kristin N.
All Comments Welcome
Brenda is a 27 year-old woman from Arizona. She moved to Colorado about 10 years ago with her common-law husband and 4 children. Initially, Brenda had a great attitude about moving to Grand Junction. Her husband had a new job, her kids were happy, and all seemed well. On the contrary, Brenda's mental illness and uncontrolled drinking were taking over her life and ruining her family. Two years ago, her children were taken into custody by Social Services, and then adopted by her husband's relatives.
Not knowing how to cope with Brenda's alcoholism and their kids being gone, her husband had turned to another woman for support. Eight months ago, the woman moved into their home, but her husband was not able to throw Brenda out onto the streets. Thanksgiving morning, however, Brenda left her husband's house. She stated that his new girlfriend was so "sick and tired of me drinking and passing out on the sofa," that she beat her senseless while Brenda was asleep. "I have to be safe when I'm passed out," Brenda claimed when asked why she ultimately left.
Brenda suffers from schizophrenia coupled with a family history of mental illness and alcoholism. She drinks excessively to self-medicate, and it's not hard to see why. I asked her what the happiest and saddest moments of her life were, and she told me that her saddest memory was finding her father's body after he committed suicide when she was 13 (she had no relationship with her mother). Her happiest were the births of her children.
Brenda is completely candid about her alcohol abuse, and about everything she has lost due to her mental illness. She admitted that she did not take her medication when it was available to her (typical of the mentally ill), and that she lost every job she'd had as soon as her first paycheck arrived. She immediately headed to the liquor store with it, and made sure she spent every dime on booze. In turn, she'd binge for days afterward, and not show up to work.
When she is not too drunk, Brenda is able to bunk at the homeless shelter. If she can't stay at the shelter, she passes out in the park, in cars, or can sometimes stay at a friend's. She has a couple friends, but they only allow her to stay for the night. She says she's luckier than most, however, because she has these friends as well as John, another homeless person who looks after her when she's on the streets. She says she also feels lucky to still have the memories of her children.
Brenda had court Tuesday, Feb. 5, for stealing from her "favorite liquor store" on 1st ...I hope things turn out okay for her. If she spends time in jail at least she'll be warm and sober.
Edited by Kristin N.
All Comments Welcome
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