What About The Homeless?

By Bobbie Holden

Our family goes out to Hawthorne Park on Sundays at 10:30 am. We meet with family and friends who are either homeless or hungry. These stories are true but the names have been changed to protect the privacy of the Homeless. They are written with permission.

Michael and Susan were living under a bridge. My heart went out to them because they were a young pleasant couple expecting their first child. They don’t take drugs or drink alcohol. Circumstances beyond their control forced them out on the streets. But, with perseverance on their part and help from a Christian man who reached out to them they were able to get on their feet and rent a place to start to build their future. My son and I saw this young man on the street the other day, as he was walking to work, I offered him a ride. He said he still had to go three more miles. He told me that someone had said to him; “Hey! Just hang out with me today.” (meaning don’t go to work) He said, “I need to go to work.” His concern for his family outweighed the pleasure of ease.

Philip and Ruth are homeless also. Philip is probably in his late thirties. He walks to work every day. As I stopped to talk with Ruth I met Miles and Steven. I noticed that all Steven had to sleep with was a worn out blanket. I asked him if this is what he used when he was camping out? He said; “yes.” Fortunately we were able to provide him with a sleeping bag. My heart goes out to this man. He was not prepared for the death of his wife two years ago. It left him unable to work as he has done before.

Recently I sat in the office of an agency that helps people in need. There was a young man in his early thirties at the door when I entered the building. I noticed him because he was concerned about his wheelchair falling apart. He has to use a wheelchair because of a stroke which left the left side of his body damaged. It also affected his mind. The young man made his way into the office, stood in the doorway and looked at the woman in charge. He put his hand up, with his palms outwardly, calmly, but sadly saying, “what am I going to do?” “What am I going to do? I don’t have anywhere to sleep tonight. I have to sleep out on the streets. (He had broken the rules of one of the shelters. And now was faced with a night on the streets)

We are with the homeless community sometimes twice a week. We may find out someone needs a pair of shoes or a sleeping bag. We may help get their only means of bedding dry. It is getting cold out there. We as a city need to be responsible for our homeless and poor communities. The homeless and poor are not all on drugs and drinking alcohol, and even many of the ones who are homeless, do drugs and drink alcohol don’t want to stay in this condition.

There are a lot of wonderful people who are considered poor and homeless. Jesus told us: “the poor we will always have with us.” If we try to forget the homeless community, or try to push them out of town, and perhaps even out of our minds, there will be more people running into trouble and becoming homeless. As a caring community we need to see what it is that we can do to help the homeless and not just leave it up to Government agencies.

Where can the homeless go during cold winter days? If they are lucky enough to sleep in one of the shelters they have to leave during the day! They walk the streets, until time to return. Have you ever walked the streets with three small young children under the age of three? Or even try to find a place to keep warm until it was time to return? Randy and Michelle have to do this every day. Michelle will walk with the children while Randy looks for work, and when he finds work she will keep the children out during the day until the time he can provide adequate housing for them.

There are not enough services to fill all the needs in this valley. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes. There are ways we can help. We need to do our part! We must not assume that other people are going to take care of all the needs. What will Jesus have us do concerning those in need around us?

Bobbie Holden writes from Medford, Oregon. She is anxious to talk with anyone who wants to help the homeless. Call at (541) 282-4251.