(01-20-2022, 01:18 PM)mikesez Wrote:

(01-20-2022, 01:25 AM)The Drifter Wrote: As one that has been though homelessness during a rough patch in my life, I've seen all kinds of reasons why people, including entire families have ben come homeless. A majority of the times it's because 1 partner lost their job through no fault of their own, but for others like me, it was because of a drug/alcohol addiction. NOw, in my town I see a few homeless people that I've known to be on the streets for 20+ years, why you ask?, it's because they wrork day labor, get their check, and go right out and buy booze/drugs. Now, in my town their are a variety of resources available to help you get out of that situation. Yeas, I worked everyday doing the only job I could find at the time, which was working the trsh trucks, It was the perfect job for me at the time because I was very angry about things. Where else could you throw things, break things, smash things and destroy things all day 5 days a week. Anyway, I finally saved up enough to put a deposit on a place (rent in my area it a tad high) after living in a tent for a summer down by the river. Yeah, I'll admit it was rough at times but I DUG my way out of that hole. Now, the same people I see on the streets 20+ years later, I have no sympathy for them. They will not help themselves or utilize the resources available to them to get them out of their situation. Addictuion is a beast tat is hard to overcome, I speak from experience from that point of view, but I did it. I'll be the first to help out anyone that wants to help themselves, point them in the right direction to get the help they need, but they must be willing to put the effort in to get out of their situation and make life better for themselves.

First of all, you should be proud of yourself for overcoming that situation. We're all happy for you, and thank you for sharing your story. Sounds like the story took place in Maryland about 20 years ago, is that right?
You found a job as a garbage collector, your employer didn't care that you were homeless at the time, you saved up enough for a deposit on place, and you found a place with a rent that you could afford.
Do you see how maybe it was much easier to do those three things on the East Coast 20 years ago, than it is today on the West Coast?