Meet Jennifer: Homeless and Pregnant

category: Health

Published April 09, 2009 @ 05:20AM PT

Meet Jennifer. Last night, she slept outside on a sidewalk near Times Square in New York City. If that doesn't break your heart, then this will: Jennifer is six months pregnant.

I first met Jennifer at the Burbank Winter Shelter in California. On March 15th, this cold weather shelter closed, putting hundreds of people back out on the streets... including Jennifer and her husband. Two weeks ago, I saw her on Hollywood Boulevard, where she was sleeping on a sidewalk. (You can imagine how blown away I was to run into her while I was visiting Manhattan.)

She panhandles to get money for transportation, visits clinics for prenatal care, gets food from churches, and does whatever she can to survive. Despite the fact that she's pregnant and sleeping on the streets of New York, she's hopeful about her family's future.

Next time you think you have a raw deal, remember Jennifer's optimism.

(A very special thanks to the New York Dream Center for their hospitality and for helping so many people like me find a better life.)

[Picture: Mark Horvath]

Jennifer from invisible people on Vimeo.

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Comments (4)

In all my coverage of homelessness I don't ever recall interviewing a pregnant woman living on the streets.

Thanks for bringing this story to our attention.

Posted by Gary Baumgarten on 04/10/2009 @ 09:48AM PT
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jennifer may GOD bless you your husband and child into a much better situation. the big header at the top of this page i a hope that we all share, but for whatever reason there will always be homelessness, it my hope and pryer that more find their way into a better life, i know it is tough, especially the way things are going now with the economy.no child nor any adult for that matter should be homeless and hungry and needy in america, not when the govt freely spends trillions bailing out companies that only care about their own deep pockets, with many, especially the ones that can make a diffirance this issue of homelessness is swept under tier rugs, due to thier shame in not wanting to help or stop to care. no family can live on a minimum wage job, there are plenty of those to go around.the answer isn't easy but the govt can help by giving deserving americans thier bail out after all we are thier greatest assett. we the people keep a roof over thier heads, and their bank acts fat.well i hope you and your family find what you need and soon-harv

Posted by harvey melton on 04/11/2009 @ 09:33AM PT
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jennifer may GOD bless you your husband and child into a much better situation. the big header at the top of this page i a hope that we all share, but for whatever reason there will always be homelessness, it my hope and pryer that more find their way into a better life, i know it is tough, especially the way things are going now with the economy.no child nor any adult for that matter should be homeless and hungry and needy in america, not when the govt freely spends trillions bailing out companies that only care about their own deep pockets, with many, especially the ones that can make a diffirance this issue of homelessness is swept under tier rugs, due to thier shame in not wanting to help or stop to care. no family can live on a minimum wage job, there are plenty of those to go around.the answer isn't easy but the govt can help by giving deserving americans thier bail out after all we are thier greatest assett. we the people keep a roof over thier heads, and their bank acts fat.well i hope you and your family find what you need and soon-harv

Posted by harvey melton on 04/11/2009 @ 09:33AM PT
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I recently saw somebody in London in the same situation. I really did not know what we could do. But I had to write about the situation - because I think people should be more aware of this. I have linked to your story as it is very relevant.
http://www.squidoo.com/homeless-and-pregnant-in-london

Posted by Danny Staple on 05/05/2009 @ 05:09AM PT
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Author

Sixteen years ago, Mark Horvath was homeless on the streets of Hollywood. Today, he works in marketing/communications and is an activist for the homeless. He vlogs at invisiblepeople.tv and blogs at hardlynormal.com.