Lori, your suggestions are so clear and crisp. It was a wake up call to read that sometimes the homeless are perceived as "crazy" or "losers". Gee... it makes it scarier that I'm headed in that direction. Yes, you're right about people feeling that somehow one did something to cause their homelessness. Whew! This whole experience feels like a scary nightmare.
Yes, I was honest and just gave the facts. I tried to be brief but ended up writing two pages of stuff. If I don't hear from them I will try another newspaper.
Today I called the Iowa Legal Aid Society again. This time they suggested since it would be a conflict of interest for me to contact a volunteer attorney. I did so and at least did an intake interview with someone. She said she would give my information to the director to see if he wanted to proceed. I'm praying that he does.
I hope that the volunteer attorney takes the case. And I do hope that something positive comes from your choice to contact the media. Awareness of the problem is a much needed force in our society and hopefully your letter will provide that, as well as dispelling the myths that Lori stated such as "it's your own fault" and that you're "crazy" or a "loser" and that's why you're homeless.
Keep on posting. I want to hear how things progress.
I just wanted to wish you luck. With high prices and rent, homelessness is just around the corner for a lot of people. But they don't know it or wont' admit it. With gas prices as they are, I bet this is going to be a bigger issue than ever...how can people afford to commute to work anymore when gas costs so much! I bet eventually people will lose their jobs becuase gas costs too much to get there, and then they'll be a sharp increase in homelessness.
In short, good for you for speaking up about it. Anyone could be there in a second, whether they admit it or not. Everyone should care about this.
Thanks bluerains. In a few days you guys won't see me hear as much. I will be transitioning. But I have a laptop and will find a hotspot somewhere and get back online.
Yes, times are hard for everyone. Is communal living still a bad word? Native Americans did it, tribes in Africa did it. I think we will eventually have to look at sharing again and not everyman out for himself. It doesn't have to be communism. We're intelligent enough at this stage of the game to figure out ways to have harmonious communal living. Even if it's just short term. Like communal living for single women and childern (not a homeless shelter). Anyways... i don't do drugs haven't been diagnosed with a mental problem just lost a job and here I be. It's scary but what's the alternative? I came to this board originally because I didn't want to live. I have chosen to live but it's sure is a dang gone struggle. I guess I need to consider the old saying, "what don't kill ya' will just make you stronger!" My struggle could be a whole lot worse than it is.
It's interesting you mention communal living becuase in other cultures it is normal and expected for extended families to live together. In this country we've been more prosperous to the point that there is a stigma and shame associated with adults who live with their parents or family other than a spouse. But, as our economy gets worse it's almost impossible for many people to afford rent, etc. on one or even two salaries- and people go into debt rather than move in with family- because of shame. And all the time, other cultures do it as a matter of course, and probably save a lot of money on rent.
I know your family doesn't have enough room, so it wouldn't be solution for you, but it's too bad there's so much peer pressure to live alone even when the economy can't support it. I worry all the time that I may be so close to homeless and I know I'm not the only one.
I may be naive, but I think the idea of communal living isn't such a bad thing. The world is not made for man to live alone. I've realized this when I have to buy a whole package of veggie dogs and eat them every day or they go to waste. Rent of a larger place shared between 2 or more is always cheaper than a single. Plus the social interaction that is possible living with others is always a good thing. I know with depression that we tend to isolate ourselves. We need to force ourselves out of isolation and back into the world and a world where we could get along and support each other would be beneficial. Just my 2 cents.
Hey there,
Lori, your suggestions are so clear and crisp. It was a wake up call to read that sometimes the homeless are perceived as "crazy" or "losers". Gee... it makes it scarier that I'm headed in that direction. Yes, you're right about people feeling that somehow one did something to cause their homelessness. Whew! This whole experience feels like a scary nightmare.
Yes, I was honest and just gave the facts. I tried to be brief but ended up writing two pages of stuff. If I don't hear from them I will try another newspaper.
Today I called the Iowa Legal Aid Society again. This time they suggested since it would be a conflict of interest for me to contact a volunteer attorney. I did so and at least did an intake interview with someone. She said she would give my information to the director to see if he wanted to proceed. I'm praying that he does.
I hope that the volunteer attorney takes the case. And I do hope that something positive comes from your choice to contact the media. Awareness of the problem is a much needed force in our society and hopefully your letter will provide that, as well as dispelling the myths that Lori stated such as "it's your own fault" and that you're "crazy" or a "loser" and that's why you're homeless.
Keep on posting. I want to hear how things progress.
Edited 5/15/2006 5:13 pm ET by hubbub270
I'm glad I was able to give you some "food for thought"---NOT that you needed any more of that but oh well--lol!
"....I DO hope that the volunteer attorney takes the case and also, if the media takes it on that they portray your situation accurately and fairly!"
*****DITTO!!!!*****
THANKS LORI!
Hubbub,
I just wanted to wish you luck. With high prices and rent, homelessness is just around the corner for a lot of people. But they don't know it or wont' admit it. With gas prices as they are, I bet this is going to be a bigger issue than ever...how can people afford to commute to work anymore when gas costs so much! I bet eventually people will lose their jobs becuase gas costs too much to get there, and then they'll be a sharp increase in homelessness.
In short, good for you for speaking up about it. Anyone could be there in a second, whether they admit it or not. Everyone should care about this.
Thanks bluerains. In a few days you guys won't see me hear as much. I will be transitioning. But I have a laptop and will find a hotspot somewhere and get back online.
Yes, times are hard for everyone. Is communal living still a bad word? Native Americans did it, tribes in Africa did it. I think we will eventually have to look at sharing again and not everyman out for himself. It doesn't have to be communism. We're intelligent enough at this stage of the game to figure out ways to have harmonious communal living. Even if it's just short term. Like communal living for single women and childern (not a homeless shelter). Anyways... i don't do drugs haven't been diagnosed with a mental problem just lost a job and here I be. It's scary but what's the alternative? I came to this board originally because I didn't want to live. I have chosen to live but it's sure is a dang gone struggle. I guess I need to consider the old saying, "what don't kill ya' will just make you stronger!" My struggle could be a whole lot worse than it is.
It's interesting you mention communal living becuase in other cultures it is normal and expected for extended families to live together. In this country we've been more prosperous to the point that there is a stigma and shame associated with adults who live with their parents or family other than a spouse. But, as our economy gets worse it's almost impossible for many people to afford rent, etc. on one or even two salaries- and people go into debt rather than move in with family- because of shame. And all the time, other cultures do it as a matter of course, and probably save a lot of money on rent.
I know your family doesn't have enough room, so it wouldn't be solution for you, but it's too bad there's so much peer pressure to live alone even when the economy can't support it. I worry all the time that I may be so close to homeless and I know I'm not the only one.