You might know me from my religious posts. Today, I'm here to talk about something a little different: survival of the homeless...
In every society, there are homeless people. It's just a sad fact of life: wherever there is injustice and a cold heart, there are homeless people because of these things. The shocking thing? The average man, or woman, is just one pay-check away from being one of the homeless!
The guys on "South Park" loved making fun of the homeless... mainly because they're pansy-*** mama's-boys, who've never been in the real world without a net. For those who were man, or woman, enough to go through it, without giving in to dispair, such people as the guys from "South Park" are pathetic. The question remains, though, as to where they got their idea. The answer? The usual stereotype... and, as with every stereotype, this one has been taken from "token bums". How do you avoid becoming like the homeless people on "South Park"? How do you get up off the streets, and back on your feet?
If you live in a very few secluded areas - like many cities in California, for example, - you'll have a lot of help from the government, and even from the occasional individual. If you can move out to someplace like that, please do try: it's one step up from the streets, even if it costs you some foolish pride along the way. Naturally, you'll want to do as much research about the area. Try a Google or Yahoo search for the top ten most homeless-friendly cities in these United States. That should give you a starting point...
Of course, most of us aren't so lucky. Sure, you can get loans; or, if you're extra-lucky, you can get a grant. You could even risk prison, by panhandling to survive. However, there are more legal ways. This article is to help you find them out, from someone who's been there, and done that. I hope this article is passed around to as many homeless people as possible...
The first thing you want to do, is learn how to become a good judge of character. When I was in Columbus, Georgia, on the first day I was homeless, a guy told us we could cash in his winning lottery ticket for him - and he'd even pay us some of his winnings, - if we'd give him .00 to hold onto, as collateral. We soon learned that he was scamming us: using an already-used lottery ticket, to basically con someone into buying it from him. We never saw him again.
There are all kinds of dangers on the streets. However, there are a select few "Virgil"s to your "Dante'". These are the veterans of homelessness: the ones who have lived on the streets for a while, and maintained a personable attitude. Try to connect with them, if you've exhausted the 2-1-1 resources. Often, they can help you survive, and even pass on some important survival lessons... and life lessons in general.
Of course, the first thing you'll want to do, when you become homeless, is find a place to call your own... even if for a short time. There are some places, where you can't get into the shelters, if you're a man... others won't let you in, if you're a woman. There are all kinds of excuses. I'd suggest finding someplace that's open to the public. Some people try abandoned buildings, dumpsters, or using trash and old appliances. The problem is that these places are seldom safe: you never know when an abandoned building is going to crumble on it's own, let alone when the wrecking crew will come for it; you never know when they'll dump those dumpsters, or if there's something hazardous in them already; and you never know if you'll get out of the old appliances... especially refridgerators. I'd suggest, if you stay in one of these, you take every possible precaution... you can't even trust overpasses, these days. If you must, you could use some refuse to make a temporary shelter (like a tent, or a lean-to); but you'll probably want to keep it in a secluded, hidden place... in most homeless-unfriendly places, there are also gangs of youths that like to assault innocent vagrants. You don't want to wake up on fire, in the hospital, or six feet under.
You'll want to find some bedding, and a light. I suggest getting free matchbooks, and stuffing garbage bags with the softest and cleanest materials you can. Be sure you lay down cardboard underneath, for insulation and a pest deterrent; and, if you can, find some cardboard to cover you completely as a blanket (it's a great insulator, and is partially water-proof). Some places will give out sleeping-bags and tents. Carefully inspect those you find, and get whatever you can. It's not a matter of stupid, assinine pride; it's a matter of survival.
You want to steer clear of the woods, because there are all kinds of pests and dangerous animals there; besides, there's little to get from the woods. If you must stay in the woods, find an empty cave, or try to climb a little way up a tree, and tie yourself to the support-branch.
You can also try spending a little time in public places, like parks, the beach, or hospitals; as long as you're willing to re-arrange your sleep schedule, and pretend to be waiting on somebody.
NEVER underestimate the power of the barter/trade system: items for items, or work for items. It's a little like a tragic video-game, that way.
Now, the next thing you'll want to do is find some way to clean up. Some public places have showers: the Y.M.C.A., certain churches, some stretches of beach, some hospital bathrooms, rest stops, some parks, and even (if you're lucky,) the public pool. If you can, and it's free, get in as early as possible; that way, nobody will bother you. Another idea is to bathe in a secluded spot, in a clean body of water; like the ocean. Or, if you can swing it, go for a swim: you won't be able to shampoo or soap up, but you can bathe in the chlorinated water, and scrub off as you're drying yourself.
You'll want to groom yourself, as well. I'd suggest some public bathrooms, where you can get in early, as well. People tend to use the bathroom before they leave the house: the earlier you get in, the more chance you'll be able to groom. If you can't find any other place to bathe, you can always give yourself a sponge-bath in the sink.
When it comes to doing laundry, you want to start by having as few articles as you can to do. I recommend four outer shirts, four pair of pants, two pair of shoes (one on your feet), and seven changes of undershirt, underpants, and socks. You might want to pack a suit in there, if you can, as well; just to look good during job interviews. You'll definitely want to scrape up any loose change you can. If you can't afford laundry detergent or bleach, you can always use whatever you use to clean yourself: soap shavings, shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, dishwashing detergent, you name it... it all works just as well (usually). You could even use things like baking soda, or copious amounts of salt or vinegar. One caveat: if you look for loose change in public, make it seem like you dropped change there, yourself... and try not to hit the same place twice in a row.
Be sure to get some kind of tools; and, if an animal should follow you, that's not your fault... it might even protect you, should bad come to worse. The tools can be used for protection, improving your personal space, or even odd jobs to get extra money... as can selling whatever you can, and investing in a kind of street-business (some people buy cigarettes, just to sell individual ones for a quarter, or ten cents each... and then buy more, and keep the profits for themselves). In this, you should be proud: you're doing all you can, and taking every advantage possible, to bring yourself up in this world... you're a self-made man/woman!
I want to suggest that, when you look for food, you don't instantly go dumpster-diving. Instead, try going to places that hold their messed-up orders, talking to the manager, and convincing the person to let you take their mistakes off their hands. If you must resort to sneaking into a motel that serves a continental breakfast, or a business that serves coffee and other drinks, please be careful to be as inconspicuous as possible... blend in, and stay only long enough to get what you came for, and then sneak back out. Most of these places don't take too kindly to people, on the streets, ripping them off.
Sometimes, you won't have a bathroom around. I suggest having an empty twenty-ounce bottle (not the one for your drinks, but a separate one), a plastic bag, and a roll of toilet paper handy (maybe some handi-wipes, as well, to clean your hands). You can urinate in the bottle, and continue on until you can find a place to dump it. Likewise, you can defecate in the bag, wipe, and bury the bag in the woods or an abandoned lot.
You'll also want a place to do business: a mailing address, an e-mail address, a telephone from which to make calls, and a supply of office equipment. You should try the library, for most of that: you can use the library like a kind of office, if you don't receive calls on the telephone. E-mail, research, out-going calls, office equipment (cheap), you name it... it's all there, for your use. When it comes to receiving mail, there are many organizations that will allow you to receive mail at their address. Swing by, just after mail-time, and you can get your mail.
Let's not forget transportation. Most people can't afford transportation. If you can, use it as sparingly as possible, without sacrificing your health... only use it when you absolutely can't go any further, without harming yourself in some way. I'd suggest investing in a bike (there are some places that give away bikes for free), or some other kind of manually-powered device (like roller-skates, roller blades, a skate-board, or a manual scooter). You can usually get vouchers, from places like the Salvation Army, to get these things... if you really need them. Then, you could run errands, if you find an opportunity.
Remember that, when it comes to needs, the Internet is your friend. It is your best friend in the world. There are groups on the Internet, like "ReUseIt" (an e-mail group), that people use to ask for, or offer, free stuff. Use it at every opportunity. Worst-case scenario: you get something you can sell later.
Don't turn down any help you get, but don't panhandle, either. Not only is that considered degrading to most homeless people, but it's illegal in most states.
If you have a physical or mental problem, that's like a gold-mine on the streets! You can check into a hospital's emergency room, or an asylum, for a period of observation. At the least, it's 72 hours off the streets, and help getting government benefits.
I really don't want to tell you this secret, but it's for a good cause... if you can't find any other way to get help, you can always go online to the Universal Life Church, or the Universal Life Church Monastery, and get ordained for free. With that receipt of ordination, you can possibly get a chance to preach, or do some work for a church, in exchange for help with your needs (try not to ask for money; ask for other things, like a place to stay for the night, some food, a place to clean up, etc.).
I also recommend that, if there are any inter-faith coalitions in your area, you try them. One example can be found in Birmingham, Alabama, and is usually for homeless families: it's called the Birmingham Hospitality Network. You go to a different church every week, to stay each night of that week. Free food, and often other amenities (like showers and laundry facilities).
You might get away with going to a mosque/masjid for help. A lot of people are skeptical about this, because of the bad reputation muslims have, but it's a good way to get help... especially if you're in the Detroit, Michigan area: around there, most mosques will let you sleep in their building for the night, as long as you refrain from disrespecting them.
You can also try hanging out in certain church court-yards, as long as you don't get caught by security or the police. In Columbia, South Carolina, there is an Episcopal church, where you can sleep under and awning. On some nights, the youth minister will show up with food and drinks.
You could also try applying for a college. You would potentially get free room and board; and, even if you don't, you'd be able to get a return on a loan. You can worry about paying it off later...
Let's not forget the possibility of getting a free trailer that needs some work... especially in areas like Columbus, Georgia.
If you can get a vehicle, so much the better: you can then use that to live in at night, and run a street-taxi service during the day.
Of course, you should also consider family or friends that you can trust.
The point is that there are a myriad of ways you can survive. Never give up hope!
If you need any help, or want to help somehow, please visit my site:
http://www.freewebs.com/angelsofhope2008
Thanks again for reading this, and remember: there's always faith, hope, and love.
In Christ,
~D~
