When I saw them huddled together in the dimness of the street light, my eyes welled up and I said a quiet blessing and sent it their way. I got as far as one block away before the tears spilled over and I realized they were tears of anger.

How dehumanizing for people to have to gather in the hope that they will get a thin mat on the floor for the night. How demoralizing if they have counted those lined up before them and know that they may be the one that doesn’t get in. How unimaginable that they then must find a quiet spot behind a dumpster somewhere and by carefully arranging their cardboard and blankets, somehow manage to protect themselves from the elements.

I’ve had some interesting experiences recently. A few health issues, disappointments around work related stuff, some incredibly bad customer service and a few other annoying things. It’s called life and there are no guarantees that it will be an easy journey for any of us.

But these annoyances vanished when I drove by this motley collection of tattered looking souls shivering together on the corner of the street that night. My tummy was full and I knew that I was heading home to a warm house, a soft bed and my loveable pooch.

My tears were about the skewed priorities we seem to have. When did we become so indifferent? There are those who think that street people are there due to being inept at this thing called life. Perhaps this is true for some. Or that they are there due to addiction issues. Again, might be true for some. Some of the street people may have mental health challenges and are therefore unable to take their medication correctly.

Then there are the working poor who earn minimum wage and who simply cannot find, nor afford a place of their own. (low end motels are charging $700/month)

But ask yourself does it really matter why these people are there? Does this justify leaving them out in the cold. Of course it doesn’t. They are someone’s child, someone’s wife, someone’s dad, someone’s daughter. They are living, breathing, walking, talking human beings who have feelings, wants, needs, desires and amazingly, hope.

Do not fool yourself that you could never be in this situation. Remember the 1980’s when CEO’s lost their job and ended up living in their cars with their families. I know for certain they never thought they would have to live on the street. That was not their life goal.

Poverty diminishes a person, strips humans of their soul and leaves them vulnerable to the point of being emotionally raw in so many different ways. It is so disempowering.

Margaret Mead once said, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have”.

Drive by your local shelter one evening after dark. Better yet, offer to volunteer. I promise you will be changed by what you see. Then you will have the opportunity to be part of that special few.

Carole Fawcett is a stress management consultant and laughter coach who provides keynotes and workshops for any group/company/business. Her speaches and workshops are upbeat, fun and interactive. She is also a professional freelance writer and belongs to the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). She lives in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada, with her dog Huey. http://www.afunnybusiness.ca

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I live in the Los Angeles County section of Southern California. Within my one county are more than 90,000 people who have nowhere to call home. Like most of my neighbors, I never use public transportation or visit the poorer areas. Unless I make a special effort, I never see the thousands on the sidewalks.

It is only when disaster strikes a poor area that the country sees the face of poverty. After Andrew in southern Florida and Katrina on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi, the omnipresent television cameras caught a glimpse of what it is like to be poor in America. We saw the faces of the forgotten lined up in the Superdome and had to admit that the national dream of success and a comfortable lifestyle does not extend to everyone.

There are those who believe that the poor bring on their own misery. That anyone with any motivation would be able to work themselves out of the mess. Certainly there are thousands of homeless who have drifted away from the larger society because of drugs or mental illness, the have-nots who fail to qualify for the treatment and rehabilitation programs established for the more fortunate.

Many thousand more are simply victims of domestic violence, illness, structural unemployment, or a series of events that devastated their former working or middle class lives. Many thousands are simply the working poor. Lacking skills and contacts, they trudge daily to minimum wage, low level positions: motel maid, security guard, custodian, waitress, or day labor. The minimum wage is a social farce for a single individual, never mind someone with children or family to support.

Can Congress or the Administration explain how someone clearing less than $200 per week can feed and clothe themselves and their family and yet set aside enough money for even the cheapest apartment? Can the finest financial minds in the country calculate how to pay first and last month rent and a security deposit when there are only pennies left at the end of the week?

Yet President Bush moved to suspend the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act for the rebuilding of New Orleans. Is it his theory that the poor don’t deserve the protection of prevailing wages so he can use that money to protect them from terrorism?

The poor and the homeless don’t even think about a bomber at an airport or what’s happening in the Middle East. They have more pressing concerns such as where is their next meal coming from, how can they educate their children, and where would be the safest place to spend the night.

And the oil companies, with their already obscene profits, get a tax break.

Where are we heading, folks?

Virginia Bola is a licensed clinical psychologist with deep interests in Social Psychology and politics. She has performed therapeutic services for more than 20 years and has studied the effects of cultural forces and employment on the individual. The author of two interactive workbooks: The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual and Diet With An Attitude: A Weight Loss Workbook, she also issues a monthly ezine, The Worker’s Edge, and various mini-courses on weight control, she can be reached at her Social Psych Blog http://drvirginiabola.blogspot.com as well as at her weight control information site http://www.DietWithAnAttitude.com/index2.html

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The NIMBY affect is alive and well when it comes to people who wish to put in a homeless shelter. No one wants homeless people all around their businesses or in their neighborhoods, as it attracts the wrong element and potentially can lead to theft in the area. Homeless shelters need to be very aware of the importance of public relations and community goodwill in their local areas.

Convincing local residents, that a homeless shelter will be going in down the street usually sends a firestorm of frenzy to the local planning commission meeting. However, if the homeless shelters promoters can do a bang up PR job in advance using all the local media and getting local politicians and community leaders to sign on to the project, then much of the outrage can be eliminated before it starts.

We must do something about the homeless situation in the United States of America and homeless shelters are the answer to help those that want to get off the street with an easier path. Please consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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Unfortunately the uninformed chap had estimated the number a ten-times the actual in the United States. His estimates were more in line with the number of Homeless in Quebec. In fact many of the homeless in Canada migrate to the United States to stay warm, often hitching a ride to the United States on over the road trucks or trains. Some of the homeless we have in America are actually forgotten Canadian citizens.

Since I happen to be up on the actuality and reality of Homeless in America let me tell you what I have learned. I have noticed that about 30% of the people who are homeless wish to be homeless. 45% have insane addiction issues and mentally affected. 10% want to get off the street. 15% will get off the street on their own and find a way. Perhaps need a little help. In the US the homeless rates are about 1/3 of 1 percent. So, for the homeless it is really bad, but as a percentage it is one of the lowest in the World in the US. This is one reason we are being infiltrated by illegal aliens from China, Mexico and other places.

Now I ask my Canadians friends be honest with yourselves; What are your statistics there? I suppose if the Canadians will tell the truth about their statistics for the homeless we will find that the issues are worse. Capitalism pushes people up and socialism pushes people down and that is the truth. Canadians need to stop sticking their French pointed noses up in the air and take whiff of their own reality. The United States is the greatest nation in the history of mankind and that is the truth. Our statistics of the lack of homeless in our nation are simply one more proof positive of that fact. Consider all this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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Then there are the fears I call typical of human needs. Such as going broke, foreclosure on house, humiliation from public speaking, running out of food or any of the major disasters like; Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Floods, Wildfire and even Volcanoes. Those all make sense.

Here is one fear that someone wrote down in the last online survey and it kind of makes you think a bit about your financial security in life and how things are really going?

A concerned survey participant states; Being homeless again!

For those who have been homeless and are now off the street, generally they promise themselves never to let that happen again. Many people now fear being homeless who are close to foreclosure. Too many people bought at the top of the market or re-financed with variable rate deals. So this fear of being homeless is a real fear. And we know that; Food, Shelter and Clothing are amongst the first most important necessities (Maslow).

Fear of Losing a Safe Home. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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The modern day homeless person although it looks bad actually lives as well or better than peasants in the fourteenth century. There is food available and money to buy things. Panhandling is one way you can make money in your homeless career. Another is to collect recyclables and turn them in for trade in exchange weight to dollars.

The average homeless person on the streets of a big city can collect enough aluminum, glass and plastic cans and bottles to generate $19,000 per year in some states with CRV programs. Some states are more some less. Yes this is below poverty level, but realize that a homeless person does not need a lot of money, as they have so few needs.

Anything they buy they must carry and so they cannot buy much anyway. So if you are considering a job and career away from society as a homeless person then when you choose to be homeless please consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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“The homeless population in the city, is estimated at 10,000, but a recent survey shows there’s no such thing as a typical profile. The homeless are men and women of all races and ages. Many are members of a family with at least one child.”

The preceding is a quote from an article, written by Caleb Fort, a staff writer for the Albuquerque Journal, in an article published in December, 2007. The article is entitled, “The Have Nots; Faces of city’s homeless population shows problem’s complexity; need for services.”

* * *

For over a decade or so, I have lost SIX jobs, due to layoffs for one reason or another; companies closing; defense cuts; out sourcing; companies moving, etc. I have never been fired from a job because of attitude or attendance or anything else, etc. I was one of the last to leave three companies that closed!

I’ve been in the humor business for over forty years, and I got a curious email from a fellow who asked: “How do you lose a job, and still keep a smile on your face?” The answer, “You Don’t!” Every job-loss is painful! With every job I’ve lost, I feel just like everybody else, who loses their source of income…AWFUL! That empty, hollow feeling in the pit of the stomach…and the helpless feeling that goes with it!

“It can’t happen to me!” Hurricane; tornado; earthquake; house fire; accident; illness; job loss; homelessness…it always happens to somebody else, right? Millions of people all across the country have lost their jobs during the past decade or so…and because of this, there’s no more job security. All of this can get a little scary, to say the least.

* * *

Article: “Some of the homeless, have substance abuse problems or a mental illness, while others are running away from domestic violence, and some of the homeless simply can’t pay the rent. ‘Most of them blend into the community,’ said Lisa LaBrecque, policy and advocacy director for the New Mexico to End Homelessness. ‘They’re not just panhandlers or the people sleeping in the park. They stand in line with us at the coffee shop. Their children go to school with all the rest.’”

* * *

“Hope never abandons you…you abandon it” George Weinberg

For over ten years, I worked for a large world-wide engineering company, and something curious happened when the company started laying off employees. They laid off people starting at the top…such as department heads…and the people who made the most money, etc. And, this was in 1992, during my first job loss! There were 14 of us who got laid-off, and we had over 200 years of service with the company between us! This was the trend that was started back then, and it continues into the year 2008.

For over a decade or so, it has been a wild roller-coaster ride for me…with all the ups and downs…and the stress and depression that goes with it! Just about the time, I was recovering from one job lay-off, another would come along, throwing a monkey-wrench into what I had already accomplished, etc.

* * *

Article: “The survey for the homeless, was done by the coalition and was conducted at various shelter and service agencies in Albuquerque. It was based on interviews and questionaires administered to 210 homeless people. In many ways, the survey contradicts the common image of the homeless as middle age, substance-abuse men, although mental illness and substance-abuse are still part of the issue, said Lee Pattison, executive director of the St. Martin’s Hospitality House.

- In fact, the survey, revealed that 27.6 percent of the homeless people were women.

- The survey showed that 8 percent said that mental health counseling could have prevented their homelessness.

- About 18 percent of those questioned, said substance abuse treatment could have kept them losing their home.”

* * *

“When I started counting my blessings, my life turned around.” Willie Nelson

When you add illness to a job loss…it makes for a toxic mix! After so many job losses, I was finally beat up, and I began living off a credit card, and that got me in trouble, too! I finally couldn’t pay the rent, and I was evicted! But, I thought a judge would never throw an unemployed person out in the streets! Boy, was I wrong! Take it from me…there’s not an emptier feeling, than when you have to appear before a judge to get your walking papers, etc.

Stress and depression were my constant companion for over a decade! But, I never knew how serious depression was, until I went out on the Internet to do a little research. I was stunned at what I learned! Just about everywhere I went, there were two words that were always present…the words “depression,” and the word, “suicide!” So, I was not just suffering from the “blues” during the decade…I was in a depressed state for years! Following, is a small sample of what I found:

From: National Institute of Mental Health In any given year, 9.5% of the population or 18.8 million American adults suffer from depressive illness. The economic cost for this disorder is high, but the cost of human suffering cannot be estimated. Depression often interferes with normal functioning and causes pain, not only to those who have the disorder, but to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life, as well as the life of the ill person.

From: Depression.com Depression is a serious medical condition, which can lead to the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Although most people who are depressed, don’t kill themselves, untreated depression, can increase the risk of possible suicide. Severely depressed people often do not have the energy to harm themselves, but it is when the depression lifts, that they gain increased energy, and they may be more likely to attempt suicide.

* * *

In 2005, heart-failure came calling! I was hospitalized at the VA Medical Center for over three months! Taken by ambulance, I was not able to make arrangements to get my possessions out of my apartment, and I lost everything! Now, I know what the victims of hurricane Katrina felt like when they lost everything! During this time, I was wondering what the correlation between depression and heart-failure was, and so, again a did a little research, and here’s what I found.

From: American Psychological Association Some people with depression try to harm themselves, in a mistaken belief that how they are feeling will never change. Research over the past two decades, has shown that depression and heart disease are common companions…and what is worse…one can lead to the other. It appears now, that depression is an important risk factor for heart disease along with high blood pressure and high cholestrol. Depression is a major disability in the U.S. and world-wide.

* * *

“Don’t complain about what you don’t have…enjoy what you have.” Stanley Judd

During my long stay at the VA hospital, I applied and got a disability pension. But, $850.00 doesn’t go very far in this greedy world! I had to pay the car insurance; car registration; website; a personal loan, and that ate up half of it. I had no choice, but to go to live in a homeless shelter, so I called and reserved a bed. This is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do! I thought, after a month in the shelter, I would get another VA check, and I could then get a place of my own, etc.

The shelter consisted of about 50-60 beds for men only. There was security around the clock, so I felt fairly safe. “What am I doing here?” I would say to myself! “How has my life gone so wrong!” Like anyone else, I felt embarrassed, humiliated…and the shame of it all, etc. But, I was grateful I had a roof over my head! It was getting close to October, and I could feel the chill in the air, etc.

“When asked if my cup is half full or half empty…my response is that I am thankful that I even have a cup.” Sam Lefkowiz

The part I hated the most, was a couple of yellow buses would pick us up at the shelter, and take us downtown for breakfast in the morning. Morning after morning, I stared out the bus window, and thought to myself, “Why am I here?” And, everyday, I stood in the soup line for the first time in my life, I thought, “Where did I go wrong?” I was just grateful that I had a roof over my head and something to eat, etc.

I had to work constantly on my self-esteem, and not let it fade…as none of what happened to me was my fault! Millions of people lose their jobs…and I just happened to lose a few more. There was no finger-pointing on my part.

Many of these people in the shelter, didn’t look like the stereo-type of the homeless…old, ragged clothes; beard; weathered faces! Many of them, looked like the neighbor next door; good appearance; good communications…they looked like they could put on a coat and tie and go work at the bank down the street. They seemed to be out of place, and that’s scary enough! Could more and more people be falling through the cracks, because of job losses and a greedy society?

* * *

Article: “More than a quarter of the respondents to the survey, said they had a job and 40% of those, said they worked 40 hours or more a week. The problem, LaBrecque said, is a lack of affordable housing. The disparity between real estate prices and the rise in wages often forces those at the lower end out of their homes, she said.

‘Anything you or I would want, they (homeless people) want, too,’ said Andy Najor, a case manager for Catholic Charities. ‘We can only treat the symptoms. The cause is a societal issue. It seems like there are a lot more have-nots than there used to be.’”

Homeless survey shows:

- 27.6% were female
- 59.3% were 40-59 years old
- 68.1% were single; 21% were part of a family

* * *

In early 2006, a pace-maker was implanted. I took all the information I got from the VA and gave it to Social Security, and amazingly in just two months, I was awarded a disability pension. The rules at the VA stated, that I was to report any and all income, so when I reported the Social Security income…the VA terminated my VA pension! As of January, 2008, the decision to terminate has been appealed and is pending.

Whether it’s a health issue…home, sweet, home, or anything else…”you don’t know what you have…until you lose it!” Isn’t that the way the saying goes?

ARTICLES PUBLISHED: (260+ websites/includes links); Direct link: http://humordoctormd.homestead.com/articlespublished.html Website name; humordoctormd - Over 150 colorful pages; over 300 graphics http://humordoctormd.homestead.com email; humordoctormd@yahoo.com Copyright; Jerry L. Aragon (The Humor Doctor) 2007

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