A Long Winter

[Livelydively]

I work with people experiencing homelessness. It was a very long, cold winter. The pandemic has brought new challenges and has changed how shelter space and housing look. I am physically and emotionally exhausted. The winter shelter season was extended to the end of April. We all try really hard not to take any time off during the winter shelter season but with the extension, I am not going to make it this year. We extended 2 years ago as well. This year just seems harder. I am taking off April 13th through April 25th. I am greatly looking forward to it.

I hope everyone is doing well.

[Shnookie]

Thank you 4 your good wishes. It is positive that you need self care and are taking some time off in April. I commend you for your professional endeavors. I live in Los Angeles and am very aware of the challenges of the unhoused population. U R brave to come on HU.

Have an easy weekend.

Hugs 🤗 Shnookie

[Livelydively in reply to Shnookie]

Thank you. LA is one of the hardest hit areas. It is sad to see.

I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend, too.

[Shnookie in reply to Livelydively]

Thank you 🙏 for your good wishes. Yes it is very sad to see how homelessness impacts individuals. It is especially sad that many of these individuals have mental health issues and do not receive psychotropic medications and therapeutic care that they require

[Livelydively in reply to Shnookie]

Yes, it is sad. A main part of my job is try and get them the services they need. Sadly, there is a shortage on that as well.

[Daveacr1959]

Enjoy your needed time off . I live in phoenix where houses are really expensive now. And so is rent . $2000 for a 2 bedroom apartment. It’s worse here and in California and places where housing is so expensive. Since we are buddies, I know where you live.. lol . And your housing is much more affordable, but the weather is harder on the homeless. I’m not sure what the answer is to homelessness? I know if I was in that situation I would move from places where it’s $2000 for an apartment. To a place where I could rent a room for $300 a month. And try to get a job and get going again? I see the young people doing this. They are moving from the expensive cities, to the much less expensive ones. To have a better quality of life. I know homeless people are different. I don’t understand why families can’t put a sleeping bag on the floor of where they live. And let a homeless family member or 2 crash with them for a few months while they get a job and save money. Unless the homeless person is on drugs or substance abuse or something. I know people are scared of some mentally ill people and substance abuse people. Your a good woman!

[Livelydively in reply to Daveacr1959]

Rooms are much more expensive than that right now. We have an influx of people moving here from NY and NJ because it's so much cheaper. Landlords have taken notice and significantly raises rents.

I could write a book on the complexities of the situations people find themselves in. Thank you. I try.

[Hidden]

I’m very close to being truly homeless. Feels like really not too much help out there. Maybe you can get some free food, no one’s going to give you any free money. Fill out all these forms and have proof of this and that? Exhausting. It’s all you don’t happen to have this for proof, come back next month. On and on that goes.

[Livelydively in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, the biggest challenge is everything feels very reactive instead of proactive. What state do you live in?

[Hidden in reply to Livelydively]

Michigan. I do receive disability. I want to work but a lot of times I’ll get a job and then lose the job. I’m a 51 year old woman, no kids, no husband. That’s all the info I feel like revealing right now.

[Survivor1687]

How does one get involved in helping the homeless community? I was searching for people who were in or at least a 30 mi radius of my location to try to connect with others near me for some personal support not related to homelessness at this point in my life but, I came across your posts and was like... wow, that really seems like something that I would enjoy doing. Something that would in many ways also be rewarding to my own personal recovery journey. Helping others in need. I am considering doing some volunteer work or finding a job where in some way I can help 'give back' or 'pay it forward' helping the less fortunate and or those struggling. Any kind of feedback would be greatly appreciated

[Livelydively in reply to Survivor1687]

Are there any shelters, food banks, community meals or day shelters near you? They may be a great place to start. Good luck! I hope you find a good fit.

[Jeepher64]

Hello there. I also work with mostly houseless populations. It has been a very rough year. I am so happy that you get to take time off. It sounds like it is very needed!

[Livelydively in reply to Jeepher64]

It has been an interesting year! I hope you get some time.