8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS PEOPLE from page 6 George walked four and a half miles one way from Ypsilanti to Rawsonville, five days a week. He did this for two months. I continued, “Are you still living in a tent?” “Yup.” Through all of this, George takes time to help at community events, volunteer for the organizations that are helping him, and care for his partner, Chris. George remarked, “I never stopped working. I never sat on my ass. I never asked for a handout. Momma told me if life hands you lemons you make lemonade.” My final question for George: “If you could have any career, college or training fully funded, what would you do?” “I would run a 24-hour homeless shelter,” he replied. My first question for Chris was, “How did you become homeless?” “I was a rowdy kid. I got in some trouble and went to prison in 2005. When I got out, they had me on a tether. I was stuck at home except for 5-6 hours to work and take care of business.” But then Chris’s addiction started taking over. “Between 2005 and 2020 I went back and forth, in and out of prison,” he said. It was hard to get stable. I was hardheaded and undisciplined. It was mostly about drug use and failure to check in. I was either busted for using, or I flaked on my appointments. I didn’t follow the parole rules, you know, not taking it seriously, not doing what I was supposed to be doing. “In 2021 I finally got off the tether. I was homeless and unemployed. It was rough at first but I was able to buckle down and start picking up the pieces.” “What are you doing about the drugs? You said you had no support then, how are you managing now? What is keeping you in this situation?” I asked. Chris said, "I’ve been on methadone for about three years now. Basically not having a decent job keeps me here. No leads, no transportation, no news.” “There are lots of jobs — what’s keeping you from getting one?” I responded. “I struggle with back issues because of a car accident,” he replied. “It happened in 2008 just before I went to prison. An MRI showed I had a herniated disc. I’ve had four surgeries total since 2018. Every 5 years I get a tune up; I have to get four bolts tightened. I don’t want more down time from the surgery. That limits the amount of choices that you have.” Chris also struggles with treatment-resistant depression. “I get so down and out and depressed that sometimes I just don't care. It comes (the depression) and you’re like f–-- it!” People don't understand it and don't give you a chance to explain yourself. I have struggled with depression my whole life. It’s hard to push aside. It makes you tired even if you sleep a lot. Then you get anxious because you’re missing out on things and everything that comes along with it. Depression does not want me to succeed. “It’s pitiful what depression does to you,” he said. “So basically I push my self-esteem up when I can, I ask for help when I need it and go to any angle I can to get help on my journey.” Chris thinks he isn’t trying hard enough. He chides himself. “I’m intelligent, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make dumb choices,” he said as he laughed. “I asked him the same question as the others. “What would you do with a million dollars?” (George shoveled a huge spoonful of food in Chris’s mouth before he could answer.) “I would donate to places like Habitat for Humanity, and other organizations that make a difference.” I continued, “If you had a free ride to college or a training program, what would you want to do?” (George attempted to feed Chris again but was denied as Chris blocked the spoon. It is very clear how much they love each other.) NOVEMBER 29, 2024 “Underwater welding.” Chris replied, “I went to a welding class, so I know how to weld. But underwater welding is a whole other thing! It pays the most because it's a dangerous, deadly job. It's also an important job that needs to be done because bridges need to be built. I like jobs that have a little bit of twist and excitement to them and underwater welding is kind of an interesting niche as well. Having it be important is good too because it boosts your self esteem.” None of these people want to be homeless or in poverty. The deck is stacked against them. Each story is unique, yet common. Disaster happens. People have profound mental illnesses or debilitating injuries. People make mistakes. Some are waiting for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist to open, some are waiting for an opportunity to work, and still others are working but are not able to afford an apartment. They didn’t do it on purpose. They were living their lives just like you and me. It can happen to anyone, including the neighbors and business owners near the downtown core of Ypsilanti. Homelessness is a community problem. Fixing it involves seeing, defending and nurturing people who are in need and who are disadvantaged. People like Chandra, Jen, George and Chris.
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