Homeless op/ed

Last week I was asked to help spread the word about an event to benefit the homeless children in Dommerich. Many reacted with “Homeless in Dommerich? That can’t be!” Yes, about 30 families in one fairly affluent school. Awareness, of course, is a huge problem. So is the sense of shame connected with being needy. Discretion is nice but not always possible. Trying to maintain a sense of privacy also lessens awareness. Many are finding themselves very suddenly, very unexpectedly in this predicament that always seemed to be another’s problem, never one’s own. The stress of it all destroys health and relationships. The day-to-day simple things we all take for granted become absolutely daunting.

The big debate at this time is whether we expect the government to take care of the needy or do we step up to the plate, roll up our sleeves and give help where and when we can. Truly becoming aware is the first step.

A while ago I drove to Publix on a very hot Sunday evening at 9:30 p.m. to buy some ice cream. In the parking lot, I was approached by a lady who was asking for help. With what money she had, she rode the bus to keep cool and snooze in a safe environment. On Sunday night, the busses stopped running and she had nowhere to go. She was waiting for a hearing for disability and was unable — both physically and legally — to work (I could tell this immediately). She had not eaten and could barely walk any distance. I put her in an inexpensive motel and got her a meal. Then the reality of this dire situation began to sink in. I contacted everyone I knew trying to locate a place for her to stay. At that time, there were about 3,000 beds available for a need of about 8,000. I have no doubt that number has grown in multiples in the past two years. Of the available places, there were none that would accept an unemployed, single, older woman. Some would only take families, some only men and others only workingwomen. Her plans were to somehow get to Shepherd’s Hope to receive some very much-needed medical attention. Transportation becomes an overwhelming problem in heat or cold and just the simple distance. (Displaced families frequently rely on vehicles that break down or need very pricey gasoline to run!) I helped this lady through a few bad days and tried to get her connected in the right places. It is my understanding that she was eventually awarded Social Security disability benefits.

Government is a very important part of the solution, but not the only answer. Each of us knows someone who is in a dire financial predicament. We all need to reach out when we see a need in our own immediate community. Those who find themselves, through no fault of their own, in dire circumstances deserve our respect as well as our help and support.

Ciaravino is a Winter Park resident and former Maitland resident.