Dining With a Homeless Man
I was laid off from my job due to downsizing. I went to downtown Lincoln with the intent of having a meal and just getting out of my apartment. Crossing the street I heard someone yelling at someone in a car “Watch out!” The person was a homeless man yelling at the car because he thought that the car almost hit me.
Then he started to run and caught up with me. I was a bit perplexed at first and thought that maybe he was trying to accost me. Even so with this in the back of my mind I listened to him and carried on a conversation. He and his two friends were homeless. He asked if I could buy them a large nachos to share among the three of them as I was going to “Fuzzy’s Tacos.” I agreed to do so and he followed me into the restaurant.
He was in his mid to late 20’s. I found out that he lived outside, oftentimes sleeping under bridges or on sidewalks. I ordered my food and a large order of nachos for him and his friends. We sat down at the table, but his friends never came into the restaurant. They just walked on by.
The homeless man thanked me over and over. I will refer to him here as R.G. It was evident that he had some mental health issues but I ignored these and ask him why he didn’t go to the City Mission to stay and sleep. He replied, “they have bed bugs.” and kept eating his food.
Meals versus cash.
We talked a bit more about things like employment and he basically made it sound as if he couldn’t keep a job. We finished eating and he shook my hand, and said thank you “God bless you.” I felt that I had done the right thing by feeding him. If I had given him money he probably would have used it to purchase alcohol as I had seen his friends carrying a bottle of what appeared to be beer.
I often wonder about the homeless. There are some who simply have fallen on hard times and either lost a job or fall within the classification of the working poor and just can’t make it. Usually these people seek assistance in the community.
There are others who due to mental illness, or drug and alcohol issues, or a combination of all of these just can’t maintain a living space on there own. These individuals need friends, counseling and interventions. They are often the ones that we find living on the street and sleeping on the sidewalks.
Reasons for homelessness
There are other reasons for homelessness. Voluntary or involuntary displacement may be one. I have done more research on reasons for homelessness and found:
Homelessness is, in fact, caused by tragic life occurrences like the loss of loved ones, job loss, domestic violence, divorce and family disputes. Other impairments such as depression, untreated mental illness, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical disabilities are also responsible for a large portion of the homeless. Many factors push people into living on the street. Acknowledging these can help facilitate the end of homelessness in America.
For those living in poverty or close to the poverty line, an “everyday” life issue that may be manageable for individuals with a higher income can be the final factor in placing them on the street. A broken down vehicle, a lack of vehicle insurance, or even unpaid tickets might be just enough to render someone homeless.
http://www.homeaid.org/homeaid-stories/69/top-causes-of-homelessness