Questions and Answers with those who are homeless in the Dayton Area
Robert, 55 yrs. old, Single:
Q: What does it mean for you to be homeless in America today? A: It means to not be able to provide myself with the basic necessities of life. I can't afford to get anything for myself. All of my money goes towards food and bus fare to get to work. I have no money left over to save. Q: What is the roughest part of being homeless in a city like Dayton? A. The worst part is being voiceless and powerless to help myself get back on my feet. I am just trying to just survive. When my main concern is just to survive it's hard to make the changes I have to to turn my life around. Deja, 37 yrs. old, Mother of two:
Q: What is the hardest part of your current situation? A: I work full time, but I only make enough money to buy food and clothing for me and my kids. I don’t have enough money to save or rent an apartment. We [my family] are stuck in an endless cycle, and we don’t know how to get out. We have to rely on the government just to keep us alive. |
Jennifer, 45 yrs. old, Single:
Q: What is your definition of poverty? A: Working all the time to try to make a living, and still not being able to make ends meet. Q: How do you feel people view people struggling with poverty? A: Many people treat me as a second class citizen or they don’t see me at all. I am invisible to many. Stan, 58 yrs. old, Single:
Q: Do you feel treated differently because of your lack of housing? A: I feel like I am treated as a creature and not a person. However, when people volunteer their time to help me and treat me as an equal, or even just smile at me and acknowledge me, it makes me feel good. It makes me feel human. |
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of those interviewed.