Could you imagine living your life out here?

February 15, 2017

“I come to 15 Place during the day and sometimes go to the women’s shelter at night. I had a man who put me through hell and I have been homeless about a month. I have been on disability the last four years so getting a job isn’t that simple. That check runs out fast. My stuff has been stolen several times and all I have now are the clothes I am wearing, but so far I have been lucky. I am 54 so I don’t have to worry so much about prostitution or being raped. I have been homeless before. I was living in a tent in the woods and had a kid. I know how to survive, I just didn’t want to have to do it again. It is hard on women out here. Becoming a drug addict or a prostitute are the main options you have and some women are prostitutes for drugs. I am back on drugs because it takes away the pain and helps me get through the day. My brother and sister don’t understand it. Ice is my drug choice now, it is similar to meth without the addiction. I know I need help. People judge so quickly. I don’t have clean clothes, but that doesn’t make me a nasty person. Could you imagine living your life out here?”

“I don’t know what I am going to do without 15 Place, I guess just walk up and down the streets and sit in the park downtown. It is hard watching what the girls out here turn into. That could be your kid. My son doesn’t know I am out here. I have a grandchild now but I don’t want them to see me like this.”

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15 Place ended many of its services yesterday. It was a day shelter for the homeless that provided showers, washing machines, internet and a place to receive mail. It will still try to provide case workers and connections to the services the homeless need but it will be harder for the homeless to meet them. 15 Place was a place for the homeless to leave their bags and a safe place for women to go during the daytime when they can’t be in the shelters. It is also a sad time for the people who are losing their jobs because helping the homeless is what they want to do. 15 Place may be dropping many of its programs, but the homeless will still be here.

2 Comments

  1. Jamie

    I don’t get it. I mean I get ending up in a situation where a person is homeless, sadly it happens far more than it should; but I don’t get being homeless, having no money, no place to go sit on the internet during the day, complaining about having nothing YET still managing to justify being a drug addict and blaming others (a man or anyone else) for the situation continuing. Of course your money runs out fast…that’s what happens when you spend it on drugs.
    15 Place was intended to help people move forward, NOT a place for them to just “be” during the day when they can’t be at a shelter. The reason people are not allowed to be at the shelters during the day is because they don’t want them sitting around doing nothing, they want the out finding work.
    If you want to change your situation, you can start with step one – STOP DOING DRUGS, then you’ll have money. The “pain” is in your head if ice is what you use to dampen it because it’s not a pain relieving drug, it’s a junkies drug, and it IS addictive.
    If you’re on particle disability you CAN find a job, if you’re on full disability then stop spending your disability checks on Ice and then claiming it’s not addictive but you’ve got no money to have a home.

    Reply
  2. Hazel Robinson

    Very touching story, but it’s not a story, it’s reality! It is so easy to pass judgement, but so very hard for people to care, understand, help, give a damn! You NEVER know, one day, this may be your reality!!

    Reply

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