Homeless Helping Homeless Blog

A dozen HHH participants returned to Davidson College last month for the 4th annual Solidarity Sleepout.  Unlike traditional sleepouts, the "solidarity sleepout" does not intend to try to replicate homelessness.  Instead, the intention is to bring together people who might not otherwise be together and to listen.  Through the story-telling, time together, and experience of sleeping outdoors, HHH believes the event raises awareness about homelessness and hopes that some of the students who attend will become future leaders for ending homelessness.  

This year, the organizers set-up a fire pit.  HHH members and around 30 students toasted marshmallows.  S'mores was a new concept for many HHH members, especially on such a warm night!  The warmth vanished, however, around 4 a.m. when the college's sprinklers went off, dousing about half the group.  We relocated inside the College Union for a couple more hours of sleep, before coffee and donuts were served in the morning, and then HHH was off to Charlotte, before the heavy traffic hit. 

Now, HHH members who participated are making plans to return to Davidson for a football game this fall and in the spring, to attend graduation to see some of their new friends walk across the stage.  It is always amazing how time and a chance to share a story can provide hope and encouragement -  to everyone involved.

Half a dozen members of HHH attended the "Restoring Justice: Fairness in our Courts, Schools and Streets" summit hosted by the newly formed Charlotte Community Justice Coalition on April 30 and May 1, 2010. The conference, offered free of charge to all participants, gave members an opportunity to hear more about issues they are passionate about - like the importance of supportive measures for those re-entering "society" from prison and jail and the recognition that lacking treatment for mental illness and substance abuse are huge factors in our country's high incarceration rate.  Members also had the opportunity to connect with other individuals working on these issues to strengthen the net of those working for reforms in our criminal justice system.  A special thanks to the Community Justice Coalition for putting together a great panel and making it accessible to all who were interested in attending. 

Since mid-October, HHH super volunteer Harry has been leading a political writing group in the Community Works library.   For one hour every Wednesday, class members discuss and write about the changes that we want to see in the world.  Withing our group, we have taken on the issues of reducing the forty-hour work week to increase employment, to create targeted employment opportunities for the homeless,  and banning the felony box on job applications.  In time we hope that our passions for change will lead to persuasive writing that will reach and influence our audience of policy makers and business owners.  For now, here is a sample of the writing of Ramiro Valdivia, including a brief memoir of homelessness followed by a poem.

I.  My Story

My story?  What happened to me that was so bad that I ended up here?  Hoemeless, hopeless and all but useless.

My ex happened!!

I should have seen it coming.  Hindsight is always better after the fact.  Seems the guy she had been cheating on me with was a better man than me.  Within weeks I was out of a family, house and a wife.

I was able to keep a few things.  But I sold them due to lay-offs at Wachovia.  Needless to say I lost my place.  At first, I was too proud and moved into a tent.  But the snow and depression drove me to a mental hospital just before Xmas. 

Now I struggle daily to keep my head up.  I try hard not to let fear and doubt take over my life.  Seems that when you're down, everybody want to kick you.  But sooner or later someone will throw a life line.  I just hope I'm strong enough to grab hold and hang on. 

That's my story.  Not a sob story.  Not a cry me a river story.  Just a story of being blindsided.  Want to know more?  Get to know me.

II.  Another Day Gone Bye

Another day gone bye.

And yet I am alive.

Refusing to give up.

Running to keep from being locked up.

Can't lay here.  Can't stay there.

Not wanted anywhere.

Around and around we walk.

Nothing else to do but talk.

Shelters are full, churches packed.

It's all good.  I'm relaxed.

Tomorrow brings new hope.

"No officer, I don't have dope!

Yes I have ID!

Wanna see?

Screw you.  I'm not useless!

I'm just homeless.

Who's resisting?  I'm just asking!"

Great.  Another night in jail.

Tomorrow out on bail.

Another day gone bye.