Summary

A homeless individual has three critical choices to make that will shape their future: to be responsible for their own life, to accept the limited help from government and charity, or to find a personal path to a better life, potentially with the support of others.

Abstract

The narrative discusses the challenging decisions faced by those experiencing homelessness, emphasizing personal responsibility and the importance of seizing opportunities. The author recounts their time in transitional housing in Minneapolis and the realization that case managers, while meant to assist in finding permanent housing, varied in competence and reliability. The author's own experience of having applications mishandled underscores the necessity of taking charge of one's life rather than relying solely on others. The article highlights the limitations of government and charity programs, noting that while some individuals resign themselves to a life on the streets, others, like the author, find the will to change their circumstances. The transformative power of personal agency is illustrated through the author's meeting a woman online who encouraged them to apply for disability and eventually led to their marriage and a new life. The piece concludes with an encouragement to take ownership of one's mistakes, to forgive oneself, and to maintain hope for the future.

Opinions

Case managers' effectiveness in aiding the homeless varies greatly, and some may not fulfill their duties.
Homeless individuals must take personal responsibility for their lives rather than trusting their fate to others who may not care about their well-being.
Government and charity programs have significant limitations and cannot be the sole solution to homelessness.
A lifeline, such as a supportive partner, can be a crucial factor in escaping homelessness.
Homelessness is a destructive state that requires willpower, courage, and desire to overcome.
Taking ownership of one's mistakes is essential for redemption and moving forward.
Maintaining hope and working towards a dream are vital for improving one's circumstances.
Self-pity and regret should be avoided; instead, individuals should make necessary changes and hold onto hope as long as they live.

When You’re Homeless, you have Three Choices to Make that will Affect your Future

The third choice is the most important

Photo by Thgusstavo Santana: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-wearing-blue-hurley-shirt-2774292/

I was sitting outside on a beautiful summer day in Minneapolis. I was staying in transitional housing. The residents had only so much time there. It depended on what program sponsored them

a lot of the residents had two years to find a place to live. The woman I met on Facebook helped me to escape Minneapolis. I left that life six years ago.

If given a chance, would you take it?

While I was at Transitional housing, I would sit outside and enjoy the summer day. I would often see former neighbors walking by with their backpacks.

They had wasted the time and opportunities they had to get their lives together. They had three choices, and they made the wrong choices.

Never trust anyone else with your life, you have agency, so use it

We had case managers, the case managers were supposed to help us find permanent housing. Some case managers were more competent and professional than others.

The first case manager I had would bring me applications for Section 8 vouchers. He would also bring me applications that were not for Section 8.

I filled out the applications and gave them back to him. I had other issues with him, so I was not surprised when he quit and my new case manager followed up on the applications.

I bet he threw them in the trash, it wouldn’t surprise me

None of the managers of the places I thought I had applied to had heard of me. The previous case manager never submitted the applications.

The first choice you need to make when you’re homeless. Choose to be responsible for your life. Don’t trust someone who doesn’t care about you and only wants a paycheck.

Government and Charity can only do so much

I managed to get out of Minneapolis without having to go back on the street. Government programs and charities can only help so much if they help at all.

The other choice a homeless person has, and it’s the norm. You can give up and be homeless until you die. I saw and got to know quite a few homeless people who were okay with their life, and I know that a few of them died while I was there.

If given a lifeline, grab it

The third choice and it’s the choice I made. A homeless person can take charge of their life. They can forgive themselves for their mistakes and find a way out.

I found the way out when I met a woman online. She encouraged me to file for disability. She also made arrangements for me to move out of state to be with her.

Things are better with a partner, trust me on this

We got married six years ago on September tenth twenty-seventeen. I took charge of my life and I haven’t regretted it. You can take charge of your life, or you can do what I saw a lot of homeless people do.

Their attitude was, “It is what it is.” I saw a very few people who tried hard to get out of that life. They seemed to accept their lot and were cool with it.

I never got to that point. I know it was because I had a lifeline with Olivia. I’m sure if I hadn’t met her on Facebook that my life would be different now.

I decided to write my own story, and not let other people decide my future

I chose to take responsibility. I own the fact that I made mistakes. I blame no one but myself. I chose to leave Minneapolis and start a new life.

The fact that I did that is out of character for me. I took a chance and risked a change and it worked out. A lot of homeless I saw wouldn’t take a chance, the thought had never entered their mind.

Homelessness is a terrible soul-destroying condition. It’s too bad that some people fall into the life and don’t have the will or courage or desire to get out.

Final Thought:

Taking ownership of your mistakes is the first step to Redemption. We all make mistakes, get past them, we need to forgive ourselves, and move on. Your circumstances are not permanent unless you choose them to be.

Don’t lose hope, keep your eyes on the future. Work toward a dream and find someone to love and support you. If you fall, don’t lie there in self-pity and regret.

Make the changes you need to make. There is always hope as long as you are breathing.

Never give up.

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