being homeless
By 3Dlace
@3Dlace (339)
United States
December 23, 2006 4:36pm CST
Ever wondered why there are so many homeless people in the USA? Ever wondered how they may feel?
Well, there was a time in my life that I was homeless and living on the streets. The reasons why I became homeless was because of some bad rumors going around from a jealous friend. Since I live in a small community word of mouth gets around fast and if you don't have a good reputation, well you can kiss your bum good bye.
I ended up with no one to help me out. I lost my home because the manager had moved and sold the rental I rented. I lost my car because some people destroyed it by wrecking the whole underneth of it. Then I lost my job because I had no means to get to work on time. My friends, my home, my car, my job, gone within a few months time. All because of a vicious rumor being spread around the neighborhood.
I lived on the streets, getting by on the free places to stay and free hand out food at the shelters. I didn't have a place to do laundry because I didn't have the money for it so I tried my best to stay clean. I washed up at gas stations and restraunts. I tried to contact some local family members but they didn't want me to stay longer than a week at their homes (due to that rumor). I had literally fallen apart.
I struggled to get another job and when I had one, I had to walk each night to work and camp out in a field. I did my best to survive. I hung on to what I earned and saved up what I could to get a place for myself. Talk about rock bottom! I realized that college funding would pay my way through college so I went to school. I stayed with a few new people I met in a dormatory. Even though dorm life just wasn't me, when I got enough money I rented an apartment for low income folks. I was finally starting to stablize my homeless situation.
Being homeless is more than one thinks. Anyone at anytime can become homeless. All it takes is a few words from a few wrong friends. A few bad incidents (like your car mysteriously getting wrecked and work is 20 miles away). When I see homeless people today, I remember my bad situation I had.
Today I give to the homeless shelters and to the poor children how have no clothing or toys. My heart goes out to them. I wouldn't give money but I do give what I can. I think money should be earned on your own but the rest of it (clothing, food, toys, blankets, etc...) should be given to the needy.
So now that I have shared my story of a very down moment in my life. I ask, what would you do if you ended up homeless?
7 people like this
45 responses
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
23 Dec 06
This discussion touched my Heart. I too feel that unless a person has ever been homeless, it is hard to relate with someone who is, and what they might be going thru, and often if you are strong enough to pull yourself out of it, you are a much better person because of it. I too have been homeless due to things in my past. I remember the Shelters, etc. and too give to them this time of yr. and help others when I can. I even give $$ sometimes to people if I feel they are in genuine need. I feel if you give of yourself in time and $$ especially to those in need in time it will only continue to come back to you.
@koikoikoi (1246)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I don't caree for the homeless! Screw the homeless. They're just lazy. People sale oranges on the street, flowers, they outside of Home Depot. They actuaaly look for work because they're not lazy! The homeless AH! forget about 'em!
@3Dlace (339)
• United States
3 Jan 07
To be honest, so very bluntly honest, it is people like you that I really didn't like when I was homeless. I wasn't lazy and it was harder than poo to get a job because my clothing being dirty or my starvation. There were times I couldn't wash my hair because people like you were in Dennys Cafe staring at me as I washed my face, arms, and stinky armpits in the bathroom. I have to say, go and be homeless for 8 months and then tell the world "I don't care for the homeless". I know you'll see the world in a differant view!
@sharon613 (2321)
• United States
23 Dec 06
I am on the virge on becoming homeless. My husband and I are working commission jobs and there is literally no money coming in. We were forced to sell our townhouse due to the fact of forclosure. We are currently living off the proceeds and paying rent to the new owner. The new owner is nice enough to allow us to stay here an extra month. Now we have to come up with next months rent, security deposit and first months rent on a new place and both mine and my husbands credit are bad due to not paying our bills on time and having a garnishment thanks to a long overdue student loan of mine. We recently got onto food stamps and medicaid. I just hope a huge miracle comes our way.
@dizzybizzy1 (978)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I too was homeless once. For about 3 years total. I lived on the streets of Denver and was in 24 hour coffee shops for many many sleepless nights.
I have also eaten the hand-out dinners from the shelters and preists. I never did stay in a shelter however, I always ended up at a coffee shop or something.
I now have a great family and make my living online. It amazes me how far I have managed to come since that time. It sure made me a much stronger person.
@shooie (4984)
• United States
24 Dec 06
We had serveral homeless people in the area of California where I lived. We had one shelter for teens that I was involved in and getting things together for them. Toothpaste and tooth brushes and things on that line and coats and stuff to keep warm. I also helped in a couple of soup kitchens. You are right one never knows when it can happen to them. But there are people that choose to live that way as well. The interviewed Augustine a homeless person that everyone knew. He had a family, money and a high powered job. The stress got to him and he went to the street to get away from it all. He collects cans and bottles and does some odd jobs so in the winter he can at least get a room in one of the cheap hotels. Then there are those that go around begging or standing with signs that aren't really homeless its a scam...sad sad
@3Dlace (339)
• United States
24 Dec 06
Never seen the scammers around where I live. Although I have just recently seen some sort of scam when I went to Santa's Express this year. Some of the people I knew had money to buy food and they didn't have children so they stood in the line to recieve free gifts. It is sad.
@puma_nz (999)
• New Zealand
24 Dec 06
I wouldnt. I know I wouldnt. IMO.. Its a "CHOICE" You dont have to be homeless if you dont want to be. No matter what had happened I refuse to let it go that far. My family have ALWAYS been there for me and have never turned their back. Its the same as my friends.. We watch out for each other. There is always a place to go too if we are down on finances etc.. I dunno I guess thats just me. My Mum & Dad were always struggling with 6 of us but never were we put on the streets. Sorry to be such a damper but thats just how I see it.
@3Dlace (339)
• United States
24 Dec 06
No your response isn't a damper, but I'd like to add to it. Sometimes our choices aren't our own. I didn't choose for rumors to bombard me, I "could have" slept with the man who made the rumors and it would have never happened. BUT I would have lost self respect. I didn't choose to have my car distroyed and I lost a really good job because of it. So, sometimes we don't have control of our lives, but we can learn from it :D
@classy56 (2880)
• United States
24 Dec 06
i know of alot of people that has been homeless an they surived,but ill never forget i man he was homeless anliveing under a bridge,he had found a wallet that had $1000.00 in it an he took the wallet to the police station an turned it in.so he must have been like you. he wanted to earn the money.im glad you are doing good now.so good luck
@ProfessorPharmacist (1107)
• Egypt
24 Dec 06
Only God can help me in this moment, so I will ask him, only, to help me.
@onesiobhan (1327)
• Canada
24 Dec 06
I spent a couple of years being on-and-off homeless when I was very young. I know people don't sleep on the streets in the winter because it's fun.
Housing is *expensive*. There are lots of people who are working and who are still living in their car because it's so difficult to afford a place to live, especially when you have to save up first and last. And if your income is irregular or seasonal, you can just forget it.
Good on you for being able to get out of it. And more importantly for not forgetting what it's like.
@sweetgirl_k1 (3972)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I honestly don't know what I would do if I ended up homeless. I feel so bad for homeless people. I had a friend whose parent's kicked her brother out and he had nowhere to go. He ended up having to live at the homeless shelter but he got a job and saved up enough money and got his own place. I do give clothing and toys and stuff like that to people that don't have anything or don't have much.
@kjhasselstrom (304)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I see homeless people every once in awhile. What really gets me chocked up is seeing homeless families--children and babies with parents. Always makes me feel blessed to have a roof over my head, a vehicle to get me around, food in my stomach, money in my purse, and love.
Your story is a touching one and I'm sure it happened for a reason. Life throws us curve balls and I am sure you are an even stronger, more independent person now than you were before you were homeless. Your will to survive and determination have made you the person you are today.
Thank you for sharing your story--it is very inspiring!
@killj0y (618)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I've ended up kicked out of my house before when i was 17 because my parents didn't approve of my interracial relationship. I relied on my friend and her parents hospitality, I stayed with her with only 100 dollars to my name. i as depressed, ashamed, and guilty...I left there and stayed with my boyfriends mom for a while, I had to real place to stay permanently and my family had disowned me...all this during the time of christmas. So I know what you left. Being homeless is a scary thing, whenever i see someone on the streets I do the best i can do to help them because I still remember then i needed the help. Last homeless guy i saw i gave ten dollars, a hot meal, and some movies to sell.
@mountainman2006 (100)
• United States
24 Dec 06
So many people are so far in debt it would not take much for alot of them to become homeless. On tv they were talking about people having $100,000 in credit card debt. I can not even imagine that. If you get sick and loose your job then what?????
@ganandoplata (814)
• Chile
24 Dec 06
I guess being homeless must be something terrible.. and also, I do think thata there are many more homeless that the ones we think there are... I try to help them as much as I can, but sometimes I can´t do anything about it!!
@anuragmishra (127)
• India
24 Dec 06
not me... but its a vert bad,, rreally bad life for those people
@mfibong (138)
• Singapore
24 Dec 06
being homeless must be a real tough experience in life..i could only just imagine how the homeless people are able to live their daily lives without all the basic things that we need..i want to ask each of you, if you are to live their kind of life, do you think you can survive?..i bet you will feel very miserable..hence, we should all be grateful for all the blessings that we are receiving from HIM..and, to thank HIM for all HIS blessings, why don't you try to share to the poor and the needy?..even a piece of used clothes will be very important to the homeless..once you get to see the smile and happiness from their face, i'm sure you will say to yourself that giving truly pays a lot of happiness, not just in your recipient's heart but in your's as well..
