I truly learned a lesson about "hobo-phobia" not too long ago during a 3 day street retreat while in Toronto, possibly in your own neighborhood. 10 of us went in one vehicle to Toronto, singing and eating fast food along the way.

We met up with another group of people at a church downtown where we would be sleeping in the basement on the floor. Together, we made bag lunches consisting of sandwiches, juice boxes and other healthy treats. We then traveled by foot in the darkness to find any homeless persons who are willing to accept the meals. We made our way up to the Salvation Army shelter where I burst into tears. There were people stranded there who were willing to refuse any meals until other shelter residents had gotten theirs first. What really upset me is that we ended up not having enough bagged meals to feed those who wanted to wait.

The next day, we woke up at about 7a.m to go to a short mass before wandering Toronto again. We visited neighbor hoods which showed obvious contrast to other neighborhoods (wealthy vs middle class vs no class). One neighborhood had million dollar homes with beemers in the driveway, the other would have rundown houses with many bicycles in one driveway.

We split into two groups to go volunteer with two different volunteer-run organizations. My group went to St. Francis' Table, a restaurant which provides meals to those without certain resources. They allow patrons to keep their dignity by asking for a dollar but never turn a needy patron away without an offer of a good meal. We helped prepare the meals by peeling and slicing ingredients and later acted as waitresses and bus-people. Some people were so friendly and appreciative for our services.

On day three, we met a very special man named Patrick. Patrick took us around Toronto and spoke about his life story. His family consisted of drug addicts, his brother and his friends raped him repeatedly which caused him to start overdosing on medications his mother had been taking. This had all started when he was eleven years old. He had fled his hometown and made his way Toronto via the vehicles of complete strangers, not knowing if he'd make it to his destination alive. He asked us to picture an eleven year old we ourselves knew and to imagine them in a situation where they are in the streets with no one to care for them. I got choked up as I thought of my own cousin who had just turned eleven.

We then proceeded to the "gay" neighborhood and visited shelters where those of homosexuality had gone to escape the torment of homophobia.

We also visited the AIDS memorial where I was saddened to see that many of the people carved into the memorial were under the age of twenty.

Those three days changed my life and completely changed the way I look at the people I see in the streets. They're not all "lazy bums" who are too lazy to get a job. Many are decent people like you and me who just need a friendly, helping hand in getting them back on their feet again.

A few weeks after my 14th birthday I had a few people over for a New Years celebration at my sister's home while she was out. It was approved of course. Anyway I met what I thought was the man of my dreams. He was 22. It was 1988 when long haired guys in bands were popular. He was my first love. After that night we were exclusive and living together in my parent's house. He proposed and we were going to get married so we decided to have a baby right away. I had my first child 3 days before my 15th birthday. I spent 1 week in labor sick with toxemia. My body began to fail so I was given a c-section. It was the most horrible experience in my life.

Right before my surgery my doctor decided to parade a bunch of people I did not know into the room. I was naked, tied to the operating table, (the numbing medicine makes your body shake uncontrollably), and they discussed me as if I did not exist. I was humiliated on the day that should not have had one black spot on it. After the baby was born things went well, we were happy. My family saw my happiness as a bad thing and within a year they chased my fiancé out of my life. They made it impossible for me to keep my child with me, so I ended up with my heart completely broken. At that moment I knew that I was completely alone.

Hollywood California

My parents gave me $100 and put me on a bus to my favorite haunt, Hollywood California. I spent the first 6 months learning the ropes. Places to sleep, the fine art of panhandling, shelters, where to get free food, where to get free medical care, where all the happening places and great parties were. You know, the essentials. I started using drugs and alcohol again, I never paid for it, but that's beside the point. I eventually became a prostitute because no one would give me a job due to my age and I had no real address. I was a prostitute off and on till I was 26 years old. Then I met someone who taught me that no matter what had happened in my life I deserved to be loved just like everyone else. He showed me how to believe in myself.

He showed me that there was more to life than the bubble I was living in. I married him and we are still together 9 years later. He always encourages me to be successful in all that I set out to do. I have continued with my education over the years at a slower rate then I would have liked due to home schooling our second son. I enjoyed every minute of it. My husband and I have shown him how to be truly successful in his life. He graduated from high school from a distance education school at the age of 13. He began college a month later and is seeking a degree in Holistic Health. He also takes media arts classes for fun.

What do you love to do?

You are the result of your experiences. There is no such thing as finding yourself, YOU are not lost, YOU are right there. If you don't believe me look in the mirror. No matter what age you are, “YOU” are a collective result of your likes and dislikes, of your strengths and weaknesses, your talents are your magick. They are your unique way of expressing yourself. Read everything you can about the one thing that makes you happy and make sure that you make a career doing what you love. No matter what age you are YOU can make your dreams come true. Our son inspires us everyday. I know that he will never have to go through what I went through in my life, because I made sure to teach him to be confident and to have self-worth.

This is a very condensed version of my life to let you know that I have been where you are and have risen above my situation and YOU can too.

Here are suggestions to help you to get you on a path to a productive future.

1. Find a Shelter

   Finding a shelter that you are comfortable in is your best bet. They keep you safe, feed you, listen to you, and guide you. You are more likely to find others who are making a better future for themselves there. To some of you this might seem like an end to your complete freedom. I know partying and having fun is important to you, but now is the time to start learning to party responsibly. Trust me, it can be done. By keeping your daily or weekly partying down to say, one drink or no drinks, you get to enjoy the party more because you're not sloshed. If you are against going to a shelter, that is fine. You can still follow the steps that pertain to you.

2. Make sure to find a place to shower daily

   Even if you are at a squat you can pan handle enough money for a 1 to 3 gallon jug of water and a towel. Use the water for drinking, bathing, washing your clothes, etc… Bathing always makes people feel good about themselves and others.

3. Locate your Local Library

   Do not go during school hours or they will call social services or the police on you. Don't check books out because they can easily get lost or stolen. Sit in the library and read, do research, and study. Go everyday even if it is just to sit and read a magazine or watch people. It is a free place to sit indoors. Make sure that you never do anything to get kicked out of the library? Do not invite people to go with you if they aren't interested in their future. If they get disruptive you could get kicked out due to their behavior.

4. Find friends that are doing what they can to improve their futures.

   Talk, listen, and enjoy each others stories.

5. Do everything you can to achieve your goals.

   Tell them exactly what you are trying to achieve and they can point you in the right direction. Do not tell them you are homeless.

6. Never Give Up

   Do not give up on yourself or your future. It is hard work to be a success. You will be alive a really long time so make the best life that you can.

I hope that my success story and my helpful hints will help you on your path to your success story.

Important places to know by heart:

Beverly Health Center
8405 Beverly Boulevard (@ Orlando)
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Map
Hours:
Monday - Thursday Medical 8 AM to 8 PM
Dental 8 AM to 9 PM
Friday All services 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday Dental only 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Hollywood Health Center
6043 Hollywood Boulevard (@ Gower)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Map
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 to 7 PM

Hollywood Wilshire Health Center
5205 Melrose Avenue (@ Wilton)
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Map
Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Walk-in sign in 7:30 AM to 8 AM
12:30 PM to 1 PM
Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Walk-in sign in 12:30 PM to 1 PM
(No walk-in on Friday morning, the only patients seen on Friday morning are patients receiving physical therapy/sports medicine by appointment only.)

Preteen and Teen Health Support group (free)

Wallis Annenberg Center
5205 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 90038
Monday Afternoons
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

This program is for teens and preteens who struggle with emotional problems, family problems, school problems, or relationship problems. It aims to provide an environment for support, sharing, talking, or just listening about those issues that parents just don't understand!

To Register, Please contact:

Angela Kahn [323] 337-1814

L.A.Y.N.

The emergency shelter is located at 1550 N. Gower Street,
in Hollywood, CA.

Angel's Flight Emergency Shelter
357 South Westlake Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-413-2311; 800-833-2499

MY CLUB

8705 South Vermont Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90044
323-751-2582

Food on Foot

Sun. serving site: 1625 N. Schrader Avenue, Hollywood, California (parking lot)

Every Sunday at 3:15 p.m., 52 weeks a year

Covenant House California
Hollywood
1325 N. Western Avenue
Hollywood, Ca 90027

800-999-9999

Places to Shower:

Blessed Sacrament

6636 Selma Ave.
Hollywood

LA Free Clinic

8405 Beverly Blvd.
w. Hollywood

There are some organizations out there with a positive approach at reducing the effects of homelessness. Some continually provide homeless shelters and that would be places for people to stay over temporarily because they have no other place to go. Church organizations and community groups may be behind that but it is only a drop in the bucket. There is a media company behind the revamping of parking meters that are being used to collect funds but one wonders how vital a contribution this will be.

Awareness of the presence of homeless peoples including those the wipe your windshields help to focus their attention on giving help. A recent effort by a local filmmaker focuses on the plight of squeegee people to show that they are harmless.

I guess there is not enough housing to accommodate the poor but there are also people out there who have chosen not to seek shelter and then they would be signing their own death certificate once the cold comes. The Old Brewery mission is not equipped to handle more than a certain number of vagrants as are other associations or benefit organizations.

A homeless association, which began at Dawson College, has brought needed clothing to the homeless around metro stations so they would not freeze to death during the winter. Now that cooler air has arrived I wonder if that organization is still active and laud their effort at stemming the tied of unfortunate loss of life.