The Truest Definition of Homelessness: No One Responds To Your Cries For Help

As the covid pandemic looms large and loud, with no seeming end in sight, the chronic, long-term, unmet needs of those who are homeless and underemployed in America wreaks havoc on my peace of mind, how about you?!

There are many You Tubers and podcasters who are sharing daily reports about the stalled stimulus, covid relief funding, and unemployment benefits, and to tell you the truth; those broadcasts make my hair stand on end!!!

You see, I am a mother hen at heart and I am on a mission to help those who are still suffering many of the same challenges I faced during the time I was homeless.

I saw a lot of trauma and drama while I was hospitalized for own trauma and dramas, and the truth is, that the issues that lead people to homelessness are rooted in the common ground of lack.

Lack of family and social support is easier to bypass when you are young, physically strong, and healthy, but illness or injury, employment failures, and unexpected traumas and dramas can sideline even the strongest among us.

(Ask me how I know that!)

But the great news is that, with the right frame of mind and a good, solid plan of action; we have the power to bring hope, help, and healing to those whose lives are tainted by traumatic and dramatic situations!!!

The question is, where would "WE" begin?

You see, our nation has come to rely on social services departments and federal agencies to help families in crisis and that works to a degree, but it is NOT the final solution!

Churches take the lead in many areas of helping families in crisis, but again... we aren't experiencing the full measure of reformation needed to correct the level of injustice that is wreaking havoc on our society.

Nations around the world are facing the same challenges on an even greater scale, and so the snowball of social unrest is rumbling toward a global avalanche of violence and extreme responses from desperately hurting people.

For my fellow Americans, reflect for a moment, if you would, please...

Who do YOU call on when something goes wrong in your day and you need some help with an unexpected challenge?

Who responds when you are sick and need a grocery run?

Who comes to help when your garbage disposal backs up and the dishwasher is spewing all over your kitchen floor?

Pilot light gone out on your hot water heater or furnace? When you suspect a gas leak, who comes to check your circuit breakers or does the relighting that restores comfort to your "home, sweet, home?"

(I'm a DIY gal myself, but NOT when it comes to potentially explosive utility issues!)

Out of gas, flat tire, or the car won't start? Who do YOU call? Do you stress about the cost of that assistance, or do you have a family member that is delighted to come and help set things right in your world again?

Those are common problems for homes that are built on a solid foundation, but that is not the case for those whose lives are teetering on the brink of potential homelessness.

Someone who would happily respond to your call for help is NOT the case for families who live under perpetual stressors such as domestic violence, addictions, mental illness, poverty, and toxic family dynamics.

Failed relationships are at the core of the problems we need to help people address, and someone to call for help is at the core of the solution!

So, let's talk about how we can create the communication lines that could create hope for those who don't have the jovial father, brother, sister, uncle, or friend who is delighted to offer a helping hand in time of need.

Yes, 911 is in place, as are social service agencies, church benevolence boxes, food pantries, clothing closets, and governmental support agencies like food stamps and disability benefits.

BUT!

Those solutions often require a lengthy intake and verification process, so who would you call in the moment of SUDDEN CRISIS?

Who would show up when you receive a disconnect notice for your gas and electric, or worse yet, you receive a 5-day eviction notice?

Who could you call when your beloved pet suddenly becomes ill, or sadder still; actually passes in the night and your children are in full-blown panic mode because they were the ones who discovered the tragedy?

How do you proceed when you receive the news that the company you work for has been sold and the housecleaning is about to begin? It's two weeks to closure and you KNOW that you will be on their termination list!

Who do you call when your car breaks down, again... and you are late for work, again... and your boss is fuming and the school calls because your child is sick and you can't take them home because you know the landlord is hovering because your rent is late, again... and you can't take them to their other parent because the new significant other can't be trusted with YOUR children... and on, and on, and on it goes for families who have no safety net!!!

Wow. Do you feel the need to catch your breath after that little tirade?

If you do, great!

That. Is. Precisely. My. Point.

There are many families in our nation who ARE facing those kinds of challenges on a daily basis, and those are the ones who end up falling through the cracks of our shared, national efforts to do good for fellow citizens in crisis.

As a society, we trust that our national benevolence measures are in place to help those in need so those whose lives are strong and stable can simply continue on with life as usual. Because, after all, we pay the taxes that pays for those services, right?

Once upon a time, that was somewhat true, but...

The covid pandemic has brought us face to face with the realization that we have many, gaping holes in the fabric of our society, and for that I say, Hallelujah!

Recognizing and acknowledging the problem is the first step toward challenging the status quo.

Once again, the question is this. HOW would be begin to improve the way we help people who need to confront and overcome these kinds of complicated life challenges?

In my next post, I intend to tell you about the day that I came face to face with the harsh realities that thrust me headlong into my own experience of American homelessness.

It begins with the loss of the last job I had before I had my breakdown, and introduces you to the emotional angst of facing the dire need for behavioral health services.

Who knew that your behavior could be sick and in need of healthcare???

Who knew that we have healthcare for behavior?!

I certainly had no knowledge of behavioral medicine, and that was not an easy day to face.

Not to worry, though. That crisis happened in the late 90's, so I have had time to confront my demons and re-frame my thinking lines about why and how I ended up in that terrifying situation!!

It will be my great delight to share the journey that I have come to define as "Adventure Road at Connie's House."

Do you remember I told you in my previous post that I had an iron-clad faith in God before my journey to homelessness? Well, facing the truth about the tenets of my faith was one of the most devastating aspects of my recovery.

After all, facing personal failure is bad enough, but adding the "church boot" on top of all that raging emotion was enough to make a gal speak to Jesus in a manner in which I was NOT accustomed!!

Who knew one silently shattered heart could be filled with so. many heartfelt F-bombs?!!

Aye, yi, yi.

Like I said... those were not easy truths to come to terms with, but facing the ugly truth was a very necessary part of overcoming homelessness, and thankfully, that portion of my journey has now brought me to the peace and comfort of hindsight.

Left to right on Connie's Adventure Road:

• The storms of childhood sexual assault.
• Porcupine pits of failure to thrive.
• The mountain of mayhem.
• Trekking through the quarry of toxic religion.
• Ascent to Lexi's Lighthouse.
• The river to Crabby's Cove.
• Newfound comfort in the Root Cellar.

The purpose for my stories is to share the details that will ultimately help U.S. create practical solutions for those who are still facing the challenges that are now a part of my history, so I will pause for now, and begin the process of gathering my thoughts for the next chapter of our story.

Thanks for visiting again today. I hope you are beginning to see the glimmer of the bright future that is on our shared horizon, and I look forward to sharing more about that with you soon.

With much love,

Connie, Clara, and the rest of our Armchair Adventure Team.

I invite you to bookmark my profile, and follow my unfolding adventure, also known as The Kataluma Adventure at Connie's House.