What is it like to be homeless?

A friend who had been homeless off and on over 20 years shared with me what it was like to be homeless. She said I could share this with you. She is homeless no more, thanks to help from the Rescue Mission and from Social Security. One thing that is common is that many people who become homeless never thought it would happen to them or that it would take so long to get out of their situation.

• What are the causes of homelessness? They are many and varied. Homelessness itself is going through a change of definition with the federal government. It includes not only people who are sleeping under a tree, on a sidewalk, or under a bridge; it also includes persons who are sleeping in someone else's house..."sofa surfing", sleeping in hotels, shelters, and cars. Many people go through a time of homelessness. The last statistic from the previous census showed that most people are homeless for only 2 weeks to 2 months. The difference in the length of time is the support system around them. Some people are lucky to have friends or family members that can help them, or social services that can get them into housing or help them find work. A lot of it also depends on the cost of housing or renting an apartment in the area they live. People with substance abuse difficulties and mental illness may find themselves homeless longer. Poverty is also a link to homelessness. Many of us don't even realize that we too could be homeless. These are recent disturbing statistics for the United States and more specifically our own home, New Mexico. (I'll save the disturbing New Mexico stats for another time. Too much bad news in an election year. :( )
• 77 % of Americans live paycheck to paycheck...16 % more than in 2009*reported 9-1-10. That means that almost 8 out of 10 people who have only dollars in their bank account before payday and almost maxed out credit cards could soon become homeless. Sickeness, losing a job, or any of life's crazy unforeseen circumstances could smack them and they would have little or no money to pay rent or house payments. If they did not have someone to lend or give them money or were not able to find another job quickly, eviction or foreclosure could follow. In a few months, they could become homeless.
• The Good News is that there is someplace anyone can go. If someone needs meals, clothing, someone to comfort them, a soft bed, a warm cup of coffee, and a hot shower, they can find help at Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission, 1050 W. Amador. The Rescue Mission serves breakfast, lunch, and supper EVERY DAY! All of this is provided for free because of people who care in our community. Last year 1,303 indivduals (men, women and children) found emergency overnight shelter at Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission.
• The Community of Hope across the street from the Rescue Mission at 999 W. Amador is like a mall for people who find themselves in need of help. The Community of Hope itself has staff that can help homeless families and individuals get fast housing (part of the Federal Stimulus) and exit homelessness much faster. They also can link people to other resources in town and help homeless individuals get their birth certificates so they can eventually get identification. Without ID, it is even difficult to check into a hotel.

Other services that are helpful not only to people who find themselves homeless, but people who are having difficulty making ends meet are the following nearby in the "mall of hope".

• St. Luke's Medical Clinic: for anyone who has medical needs but does not have money to see a doctor or buy medicine and does not have any medicaid or medical insurance.
• Casa de Pedegrinos: a foodbank for families and individuals. People in need who are not camping out homeless can come once a month. (Their supply depends on the generosity of donors.)
• El Caldito Soup Kitchen: a wonderful hot meal of soup, salad, desert & something delicious served Monday-Friday from 11:30-1:00 and sack lunches at noon on Saturdays.
• Jardin de los Niños: a daycare for children whose parents are homeless or living in hotels.

Besides offering the only emergency shelter in town for families, and individuals (women and men) for whomever needs help in whatever circumstance, the Gospel Rescue Mission also has a drug recovery program for men who are wanting to leave this painful way of life that has left them devastated. In addition, a volunteer program for chronically homeless individuals who need time and help to heal physically and emotionally from the years of living on the street and want to have new job skills and change.

The Rescue Mission also has a Clothing Room on 1416 S. Solano where people who need clothing can come once every 30 days. They are open Mon. Wed. and Fri. 9-11 AM and on Wed. from 3-5 PM for school age kids. It's like a mini "Dillards."

Need help? call the Rescue Mission at (575) 523-7727 or e-mail lcgrm@qwestoffice.net Want to help? Call the Rescue Mission at (575)523-7727 or LuAnne at (575) 644-9563. Thanks!!