Teddy is an old man. He wears a rosary around his neck, and never fails to “testify” in chapel. “I talk to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost every day,” he says. Every time there’s an altar call, he runs right up there to get born-again — again. Five times a week, he’ll do that. He got barred out a year ago for selling someone oxycontin. Friday night 09/07/12, he came back. He insists to everyone that he’s never been here before, and said he wants to get into the program. Aside

This is the second of three posts about entitlement: 04/19 – “Entitlement(s): Attitude and policy” Today – “How I became homeless” 05/03 – “When needs are met” This is a long post. One may want to avail oneself of a navigation resource here. ———— ♦ ———— I don’t write about easy things. At this writing, a more immediate question is how I’ve stayed homeless, which has prompted no small amount of anger and depression in recent weeks. The short answer appears to be that I’ve st

I wasn’t going to mention this, but then this happened at the shelter. This might not have happened at a different shelter. For about a week, this young boy’s been coming here who keeps one hand on his pants at all times. If he didn’t, they’d fall down completely. Normally his drawers are all showing. I don’t know how many times they asked him to fix his pants, but tonight they finally told him if he doesn’t fix his pants he can’t come in.

The mission principally serves two groups. First (in too many ways) are the “clients,” 450 men enrolled in the 12-month residential drug-and-alcohol treatment program; for which reason they are commonly called “programmers.” Each of them has a permanently assigned bunk and some form of closet space, and can use the mission as a mailing address. I need to keep in mind that, but for the program, most of them would be homeless. Second (in too many ways) are the “guests,” no more

Dan Rodricks complained that a recent Baltimore City ordinance on panhandling failed to address “the underlying issues.” He has failed to address them either; so, I thought I would. Here are those I personally see: CHECKLIST ✓ TREATMENT ON DEMAND. Drug and alcohol treatment needs to be available on demand. This doesn’t affect me personally, but does affect panhandling — and prostitution, petty theft, shoplifting, smash-and-grabs, larcenies, and in fact all crime of any type.

Prayer for myself often takes the form of imagining myself climbing up a ladder out of a pit, the pit being my current circumstances of poverty and homelessness. Getting out at the top represents a return to the normal life of the American mainstream. I didn’t start with a ladder in there, but I decided to add one to symbolize the various structures and tools that others have made available to me — and eliminate the possibility of clawing at loose earth.

They'll bleed you dry.

City considers crackdown on panhandling Baltimore has another fit of panhandler anxiety For years, I had the mantra: “Most panhandlers aren’t homeless, and most homeless people don’t panhandle.” Now I have many acquaintances who do one or the other. Given recent instability in my support system, I myself may soon become one who does both. My experience is much informed by what I’ve seen at the McDonald’s I frequent at Baltimore and Light Streets, where some people seem to pan

Having several interviews in quick succession has raised my hopes and made my dreams more vivid. I can hardly wait to become a taxpayer again. This has been on my prayer list (I pray for it daily.) for more than two years. They pass the offering plate at church, and now I’m wanting each time to put something in. If either of these jobs works out, I will be able to tithe, use my offering envelopes, and give $30 or $60 each week. I dream of having a kitten, and cleaning the lit

A lot of them are just like me: college graduates who have had professional careers, and then given issues in the job market and/or health issues, wind up in this state. If at all possible, never let yourself become completely jobless.