Planning for Homelessness
Homeless. It is a scary word. Yet homelessness is increasing in America. Right now, in the greatest Christian Empire the world has ever seen, there are an estimated 750,000 Americans who are homeless people. That?s a rather large homeless fact. And many think that homelessness figure is way, way too low. Estimates vary on the number of homeless who are veterans. Homeless vets are said to be at least 100,000 strong with some estimates on the number of homeless vets running a lot higher.
I started this homeless site when it looked like I might be doing a stretch in the woods. Let me tell you, when those times come around, you suddenly find yourself looking at homeless people in a different light. Suddenly the word becomes very scary. All types of things go running through your mind: food, water, shelter, storms, cops, violence, robbers, killers, snakes, medical emergencies and more. If you are facing homelessness be sure and read Planning for Homelessness. I add to it whenever I think of something that might be of assistance to those facing being homeless. In this economy, as I write this, (Oct. 08) I am not completely sure that I won?t be facing a stretch in woods in the next year. Once again the crooks in Washington DC have betrayed us. Same old, same old.
For most, homelessness is a temporary event. They eventually find their way back to some sort of sheltered living arrangement. I have a friend who was homeless off and on over quite a stretch of time due to drink but he didn?t want to talk a lot about it. He?s living with his sister now. I knew a guy, years ago in Ft. Lauderdale, who was homeless for a while but I never really talked much with him about it. I knew that he lived under a bridge for a while, had problems with drugs but eventually found a job and got a room and collected quite a bit of stuff. I met another guy who was homeless for a long time when he first moved to Orlando, Florida. He worked temporary jobs, usually in landscaping, met the owner?s daughter at one place he worked, married her and now he drives a tractor-trailer, has a new pickup truck and rides a Harley. True story!
Causes of homelessness vary. Loss of a job and inability to find another one is probably the major reason. But some choose homelessness. There are those out there who have dropped out completely, given up completely, who don?t ever plan to return to the working and sheltered world. But they are the minority. For most, it?s a hard chapter of their lives that they would rather forget.
If you are facing homelessness, start thinking about food, water, shelter and what you are going to wear to your job interviews. That way the experience will be a short one.