Real Stories: Meet Thomas
Published December 01, 2008 @ 09:11AM PT
Thomas from invisible people on Vimeo.
I really like Thomas's story; it struck a chord with me. He talks about some key issues facing the homeless population that we often do not consider. For one, they must stay mobile, which means that everything they own is in a bag, cart, or buggy (a good thing to remember when you're helping certain homeless populations). This presents a challenge for shelters, churches, or food pantries because accommodating people with bags/carts can be a security risk. Also, the homeless won't go places where they cannot either keep their bags with them or feel their bags are safe.
Another point Thomas brings up is safety. Usually homeless sleep during the day and walk the streets at night because it is safer. Even then, sleep is not restful. You are constantly vulnerable, which is really frightening. Add to that, the various laws cities have in place prohibiting panhandling and sleeping in public places; it is not an easy life!
Near the end, Thomas talks about different races living homeless and how poverty does not discriminate. We can learn an awful from Thomas' homeless experience, their unique needs and focus on survival. But perhaps more importantly, we can learn something about ourselves and how we treat the homeless.
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Author
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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.
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I just read and saw the video of Mark Horvath's Dec. 1, 08 interview with Thomas, a currently homeless man. We all need to be educated about people who find themselves homeless. As they say, knowledge is power, power to understand and then help. In the final minute, Mark asks Thomas for his final thought. This quote may not be exact, but it is close: Thomas: “I would like for America to start taking care of its own, and worship God and give thanks and praise to God.” Yes, I too would like America to start taking care of it's own, and believe we can. Barack Obama, America's President Elect: "Yes We Can." There are many who are working tirelessly to end homelessness, but we need more. We need more shelters and affordable housing, quicker entry into section 8 housing, a higher minimum wage, lower interest rates, rental/mortgage assistance during hard times, lower wait time for disability & benefits, more mental health and vocational rehab, an end to subprime mortgages, a higher minimum salary for weekly unemployment benefits, a greater unemployment earnings allowance, more job assistance, and more jobs. Some cities are already finding it more rehabiltative and cheaper to pay for housing for an individual at risk then paying the greater cost of temporary, repeated incarceration for certain individuals. In other words, this approach showed you have a better chance of getting a job, getting schooling, getting off drugs, avoiding crime, etc. when you have a place you can call home. And we as a society all benefit from this.
Posted by Julia Littlejohn on 12/06/2008 @ 02:06PM PT
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