The Degradation of Homelessness

Yesterday I was on my way to work at noon and to get there I go through a park by Thew school. As I was driving by I thought to myself, "Geez, there sure are lots of homeless people in this Tempe park. I wonder why they don't get jobs or volunteer to stay out of the heat?!?"

But as I drove past a group of men sitting under a tree I saw a young man in his early twenties among the tired weather scorched faces. He looked like a fellow Native American; sitting there with his bulging black backpack that looked too heavy and stuffed to carry. This individual reminded me of my younger brothers. I thought to myself, "How dare I assume people have nothing to do or they NEED to find work. What if they can't? What if THAT young man were my brother?" There was this look on his face, I can't quite explain it, that really troubled me. His face is permanently etched in my memory.

Needless to say, I couldn't stop thinking about him and the other homeless people out there in the extreme heat. I try not to cry when I think about them, as crying will do nothing.

I drove past the park today, but I didn't see him. I didn't see very much people there this morning, sans the joggers. When I was leaving from work, around 5pm, I saw the groups were back, but I did not see him.

On the way home I decided to find ways to help. I figured that water would do the most good, so Keem took me to Costco and bought 2 packs of bottled water. I was thinking about making sandwiches too, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it wouldn't be kosher with some people. (i.e. lawsuit happy people, society's' nay sayers, etc) I don't know. Maybe I'll see how it goes with the bottled water first.

When I got home I went online to gain more information about services in Tempe and I was astonished at the limited amount of resources in Tempe. The nearest soup kitchen is near the Tempe/Chandler border and websites don't mention anything about shelters in the vicinity-that I know of, I could be wrong though. I thought to myself, "If I was homeless in Tempe, it's got to suck to walk five to seven friggin blocks in the heat to stand in long lines to eat!" (I used to volunteer at the soup kitchen in Flagstaff, so I know people wait in long lines-sometimes up to an hour or more) I cannot imagine traveling by foot in the heat, especially since it's horribly humid sometimes. I break a sweat leaving my air conditioned apartment to the car.

I reflected on my life and the things I take for granted daily (i.e showers, food, and water for that matter) Yes, I was even ashamed to think that my cats probably live better than most homeless people; the cats have an abundance of food, water, and yes-even clothing.


Hopefully all will go well tomorrow and please donate to a food bank.