In Search of a City: The Face of Homelessness
This guest blog is by Jerry Pierce and is the first of three blogs. Jerry Pierce has been providing homeless outreach services in the Columbus community for 20 years. On July 12, he began a thirty-day stay underneath the Short Street bridge in downtown Columbus, hoping that his actions will put a face on homelessness and better educate the general public about the issue.
Today marks the 16th day that I have been “living on the land.” The days have been long. Imagine having to figure out where to get your next meal, take a shower, go to the bathroom, or find a safe place to sleep every day. My bones ache from the dampness. I have had a fever and gotten little sleep. I have lost my sense of time and feel isolated even when people are around me. I worry about insects and animals that carry disease and try to eat my food. I can only imagine what people feel like who have been homeless for months and even years. I can understand why people use drugs to get through the days and nights.
Twenty years ago, homeless people were typically older men who may have been in the service and had alcohol problems. Now many of the homeless individuals are younger. Some have college educations.
I want people in Columbus to think every time they drive over a bridge, pass an embankment, or walk by a vacant house, that homeless people could be staying there. If people want to help, they should give to organizations in our community that are committed to helping people get back on their feet.
Tags: Downtown, Downtown Columbus, social services
August 4th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Nice to see this short article about homelessness. Keep in mind that a lot of the homeless folks are veterans from previous and current wars. They have mental and physical problems due to violent exposure and chemicals (agent orange, depleted uranium etc.) The need for universal health care is not just physical but also mental. Thanks for putting out this blog.
If you want to help someone, you probably just have to walk five houses down from where you live or work to assist someone in need. Volunteering in any type of social service would be a good start.
peace
t
December 7th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Jerry…just ran across your story and your willingness to help homeless individuals. Thank You!
We make and teach how to make sleeping bags for the homeless. We also provide Health Kits.
I am interested in starting groups in Columbus to provide for those who need them. Would you be interested?
Looking forward to hearing from you and what you have been doing.
Thank you.
Donna