When The Contributor newspaper staff first worked to find me housing they asked me very few questions. One of them was, how can we help you bring your drivers license up-to-date? A member of staff came with me to the DMV so that I could get a license with an address. That allowed me to get into MDHA housing.
At the same time, the staff helped me address other needs. I needed a sleep machine, some disability compensation and some medication. I had severe depression. It wasn’t just because I was homeless, but that wasn’t helping any.
After two and a half years in secure housing, I have begun to blossom. I am teaching art part time and I am selling the Contributor. I have participated in the Zine workshops and created six UnZines so far. They are very popular with my customers as well as the staff volunteers at the Contributor. Believe me, formerly homeless people can tell when praise is sincere. It means a lot to me.
I have been asked to be on the Contributor leadership committee and I give “Unseen” tours explaining what it is like to be homeless and the barriers there. I tell my personal story.
It feels so good to be part of community again, not locked out. I think of all my customers who are kind and sweet and wave at me if they don’t have time to stop. I think of all the gifts of warm food and hot coffee, of cool water in the summer and the kindness of people who bring me things like a Fourth of July picnic on the Fourth of July!
I give thanks for all the staff and volunteers at the Contributor. Their hearts are so full of love. They pay attention to needs, but they also have fun and laugh with us.
I just read in the Contributor in this latest edition that my rights to a home are at threat. This sent me into a tailspin. I’m writing this in order to try to get some of the feelings of helplessness and rage out where I can see them and not let them control my entire life. I’m also worried about friends who are seeking housing still, and my friends who are not old enough to qualify for some sort of semi guaranteed housing.
Why is it that Finland has solved this problem that we cannot?
You know why in your gut.
It is a question of greed. It is real estate markets that want everyone to struggle and strain to pay for their profit making schemes. It is our current administration and its cronies. They were all born with 10 silver spoons in their mouths. They have no idea what they are doing to us. If they do, shame on them and their lack of empathy.
We need everyone with housing to shout about this, please. If we shout about it, it just sounds like self-serving gobbledygook. If you shout about it, it means people care and will fight for it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Here’s a poem to sweeten the dose.
I watch the sunrise, pink
and I think
of all my friends
who care about the means and not just the end.
My mother who birthed me
and all those who cared along the way.
It is time we put humanity first and profit second.
So let your heart fill with love and look at the sky above.
I remember all my blessings,
all of my confessing,
and I thank you all for everything that is true heart.