tagged w/ invisiblepeople.tv
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The tent city in Sacramento has been all over the news worldwide. Heck, even Oprah went there. Sadly, the media glare that captured the world's attention was also the impetus for the mayor's order to dismantle tent, causing hundreds of residents to be displaced.
Ironic, isn't it. Most residents of Sacramento's tent city were living quietly and without incident until Oprah came to town.
I have been wanting to get up to Sacramento to check out tent city for some time. Unlike news media, where you will hear a reporter tells a brief, punchy version of the story, I wanted to capture the real stories of the real people who are being forced out of tent city. Raw, unedited, unsponsored and in their own words. Invisible People and Change.org will be bringing you some of these stories over the next few weeks.
First, meet Chris. I first met him as he was packing up to leave. Thing is, he didn’t have anywhere to go. Chris has been homeless for three years and has been living in the same location for the past year. The police told him that morning that if he didn’t move he would be going to jail. Chris has some strong opinions about what is going on and how the issue should be addressed. The statement that he makes that keeps reverberating in my head is this: “The crime is being poor and homeless.”
As for tent city, the whole place seemed so unstable it was about to explode. I have no idea who the guy is that came up and started talking. Everyone was scared and angry. And, to be honest, I don’t blame them one bit.
[I created a slide show on Whrrl to help show some of what I experienced. http://hardlynormal.com/blog/2009/04/22/tent-city-tour-stories-on-whrrl/ ]
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalThe tent city in Sacramento has been all over the news worldwide. Heck, even Oprah... more
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Forget everything you've ever thought about homeless.
It's not always a guy with a cardboard sign begging for money. Not everyone has a shopping cart. It goes far beyond tent cities. The reality is that families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. The average homeless person is nine years old and in the third grade.
Meet Cecilia and her daughter Juliana, just one of many families without a home in America. I met them at the Prado Day Center in San Luis Obispo. Like most folks without a home, Cecilia never planned to be homeless. But for the past two years she has been living with her three year old daughter and nine year old son in a homeless shelter.
As a mom, Cecilia does her best to stay positive. But this doesn't mean that raising a family without a home is easy. Each morning, Cecilia and her children must vacate the evening-only shelter. Her older son heads off to school. Cecilia and Juliana head to the day center, where they must wait to shower and spend the day. At 3 p.m. the day center closes, so they head to the park before returning to the evening shelter where they must two house in line to get a bed.
If this story effects you like it does me, please don't let it end here. Forward it to a friend, blog about it, scream real loud - do something! Cecilia and Juliana are the new face of homelessness. And if you ask me, children should never be homeless.
(Special thanks to the Prada Day Center for their hospitality.)
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalForget everything you've ever thought about homeless.
It's not always a... more
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You've seen him before: the homeless guy at the highway off-ramp holding a cardboard sign, panhandling. As he walks down the row of cars, you avoid eye contact at all costs out of fear he might approach your window. You look straight ahead and hope he doesn't see you, hope the light turns green soon.
I'll admit, I've done the same thing, and I was homeless myself just 14 years ago.
The next time you find yourself in this situation, I'd like you to remember Tony.
Tony is an off-ramp panhandler. He lost his job and he openly admits he struggles with a drug addiction. I’ve talked to Tony maybe half a dozen times, and each time he was sober. Any formerly homeless addict will tell you that it is not easy to live without a home and stay sober.
Tony admits that panhandling off a freeway exit is humiliating. He knows he's capable of doing more with his life. But given the economy and his personal struggles, he feels it is his only option.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalYou've seen him before: the homeless guy at the highway off-ramp holding a... more
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Meet Jennifer. Last night, she slept outside on a sidewalk near Times Square in New York City. If that doesn't break your heart, then this will: Jennifer is six months pregnant.
I first met Jennifer at the Burbank Winter Shelter in California. On March 15th, this cold weather shelter closed, putting hundreds of people back out on the streets... including Jennifer and her husband. Two weeks ago, I saw her on Hollywood Boulevard, where she was sleeping on a sidewalk. (You can imagine how blown away I was to run into her while I was visiting Manhattan.)
She panhandles to get money for transportation, visits clinics for prenatal care, gets food from churches, and does whatever she can to survive. Despite the fact that she's pregnant and sleeping on the streets of New York, she's hopeful about her family's future.
Next time you think you have a raw deal, remember Jennifer's optimism.
(A very special thanks to the New York Dream Center for their hospitality and for helping so many people like me find a better life.)
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalMeet Jennifer. Last night, she slept outside on a sidewalk near Times Square in New... more
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Help wanted: Spend every daylight hour rummaging through dumpsters, garbage cans, and roadside rubbish in search of sticky plastic bottles and putrid aluminum cans. Compensation: $9, maybe 10 bucks (if you're lucky).
If you think "professional recycling" sounds tiring, dead-end, and downright nasty, you're right. Although John says it's “good honest work,” he admits he'd gladly jump to a minimum wage job if given the opportunity. See, John used to be just like you, he never thought he'd become a homeless. But thanks to our economic nosedive, John went from being a small business owner to a homeless can collector.
If you hear nothing else today, please listen to John’s closing thoughts.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalHelp wanted: Spend every daylight hour rummaging through dumpsters, garbage cans, and... more
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Brianna is a 24 year old woman. For the past 12 days, she has lived with her dog in a small RV community in a Wal-Mart parking lot. I connected with Brianna via social media; she started to follow me on Twitter and I began reading her blog regularly.
Brianna's strength and determination encouraged me, but having experienced homelessness myself, I knew deep down she was scared. The day before I was there she found a job, yet still has a long battle to go. Saving money while living without a home is nearly impossible. Plus, working homeless sometimes have to live two lives out of fear their employer or co-workers will find out about their situation.
Brianna is an amazing woman and I am in awe of her courage and her openness to talk about how her own homelessness has changed her.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalBrianna is a 24 year old woman. For the past 12 days, she has lived with her dog in a... more
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Whether you live in a small town or a big city, there are homeless people living in your community. They may not be visible all the time, but they are there.
On a recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona I met Mark. He is 22 years old, lost his job four months ago, and has been on the streets ever since. Mark's one and only wish is to find a job.
Special thanks to the Phoenix Rescue Mission for the hospitality.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalWhether you live in a small town or a big city, there are homeless people living in... more
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I should warn you this video is hard to watch. Viper has lived on the streets of Hollywood for over six months. Although, like many of those who came through the foster care system, she considers herself homeless for her entire life.
Viper faces serious health issues; she has a catheter and uses a service animal since she is prone to seizures. Sadly, her ailments and dog prevent her from being admitted to most homeless shelters. Seeing her panhandling with a catheter (not to mention the upside-down sign) is just heartbreaking!
This is one of those stories that left me feeling helpless. I wish I had more answers.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalI should warn you this video is hard to watch. Viper has lived on the streets of... more
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Debbie is a mother of three and has been homeless off and on for 16 years. She lives in a camping trailer with five other people off a side street in Hollywood.
In most cases, the "mobile homeless" (those living in vehicles) are new to the streets. Many have just lost their job and apartment and are doing everything they can to keep their car. Usually, these newly homeless need basic outreach services to get back on their feet and become financially independent.
Sadly, the mobile homeless are becoming more common in our weak economy, yet in some areas of the country, such as LA County, it is illegal to live in a vehicle. Advocates are trying to change the law in LA but face fierce resistance from potential abutters in areas pegged for rezoning. Seems the mobile homeless are unwanted throughout the city.
// more stories http://invisiblepeople.tv // follow http://twitter.com/hardlynormalDebbie is a mother of three and has been homeless off and on for 16 years. She lives... more
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