Remembering the Forgotten

One hundred years ago, the poor, homeless, and destitute who passed away were unceremoniously dumped into the ground at Forest Lawn Cemetery. No name written on their tombstone, as if they didn't exist and their lives meaningless.

It was a different time and people simply thought differently. Yesterday, over 30 volunteers from People, Incorporated gathered at the site to honor 296 of these forgotten souls. They laid wreaths at their gravesites. A simply act with a simple message: These lives did have value...

Most of the people buried in that section died between 1870 and 1970.

The young adults started their project by edging the graves, sweeping off grave markers and raking leaves. Then, based on information from Forest Lawn officials, they began making and laminating the wreath tags that state, “In Memory of (name) From Your Friends at People Inc.”


It's easy to dwell on how the last generation treated the destitute, however, I'd rather give props to the current generation for righting a wrong. This is one of those local stories that make you stop and think and be thankful for all the things you have and to do something for someone less fortunate this holiday season. To read Gene Warner's full Buffalo News article, please check out the link here...

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121211/CITYANDREGION/121219817/1002

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Shoeless saga

 
 "Shoeless" Joe Jackson
 
Proving that mental illness is a huge cause of homelessness, the New York City man given boots on a cold night is once again shoeless. Very sad, but anyone whose ever worked with the mentally ill is not surprised...

Now however, Hillman is back to being barefoot claiming the boots are too expensive.
 
Speaking with the NY Times, Hillman, 54 told them “Those shoes are hidden. They are worth a lot of money. I could lose my life.” Hillman says that because of the street violence between homeless people, wearing the expensive boots puts him in danger.

What this man, and countless others across the country needs, is psychiatric help. Many are calling him ungrateful, but I don't agree with that assessment. He's repeatedly expressed his gratitude towards the police officer through the media. Unfortunately, his current mindset does not allow for him to make rational decisions. 

What would be nice is if leaders and the media looked at the real causes of homelessness and tried to find solutions to these problems, instead of taking isolated cases and making them into internet sensations (*see Ted Williams: the homeless man with the golden voice)...


Homeless man with new boots goes back to barefoot

NYC Police Officer

 
You've probably seen it by now. The picture of the New York City police officer giving a shoeless, homeless man boots on a cold night. It's one of those iconic pictures that struck a chord with America.

It's a nice photograph depicting an even nicer gesture. I'm happy to report that it has spawned some copycat acts throughout New York. I think we're all (myself included) too quick to judge the homeless as drug addicted people, not looking for help. This is not always the case, as many are veterans, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or some other form of mental illness. There are also many homeless families out there. In this economy, it's not too hard to fall between the cracks. And some people are too proud to ask for help.

It turns out that this man's family had no idea he was homeless until they saw the picture. He reportedly calls them once a year to tell them he is safe. He last called around New Year's 2012. I also read where his two brothers were both successful professionals. Something went wrong in his life and hopefully he'll get back on track.

Man's best friend

Thought this picture making the rounds on Facebook was an interesting one. You can tell that despite this man's obvious plight, the dog wouldn't want to be anywhere else...


Here's video of a black lab whose companion (a yellow lab) was struck and killed by a car on a busy L.A. Freeway the other day. Despite the obvious danger, the black lab refused to leave the scene until animal control officers arrived...

Classic music: Mr. Bojangles

From Wikipedia:

Mr. Bojangles was a song written in 1971 by Jerry Jeff Walker. Despite popular belief, the song was not written about tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. It was written after Walker himself went to jail on a drunk and disorderly charge in New Orleans in 1965. Behind bars, he met a homeless white street performer who called himself "Mr. Bojangles" to conceal his true identity from the police. Several skid row members had been rounded up after a high profile murder had been committed on the streets of New Orleans.

The two men and others in the cell chatted about all manner of things, but when Mr. Bojangles told a story about his dog, the mood in the room turned heavy. Someone else in the cell asked for something to lighten the mood, and Mr. Bojangles obliged with a tap dance.

A chance encounter in a New Orleans jail cell leads to a masterpiece...

I met him in a cell in New Orleans,
I was down and out
He looked to be the eyes of age as spoke right out
He talked of life,
He talked of life,
He laughed, slapped his leg a step

He said his name, Bojangles,
Then he danced a lick across the cell
He grabbed pants of better stants,
Then he jumped up high, he clicked his heels
He let go a laugh,
He let go a laugh, shook back his clothes all around

He danced for those at minstrel shows
And county fairs throughout the south
He spoke with tears of 15 years
How his dog and he traveled about
His dog up and died, up and died,
After 20 years he still grieved

He said I dance now at ev'ry chance
In honky tonks for drinks and tips
But most of the time
I spend behind these county bars
He said 'I drinks a bit'
He shook his head...


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Homeless teen blinded by science

Here's a nice story from the Buffalo News about a 17 year old homeless youth who has been named a semifinalist of the National intel science program. Instead of getting suspended from school or cursing at her teachers, Samantha Garvey of Long Island has been excelling at science, despite living in a homeless shelter...

The Brentwood High School senior, who has applied to Yale and Brown universities, was evicted along with her family from their home on New Year's Eve. Her mother, Olga, a nurse's assistant, was out of work for eight months following a car accident in February, and her father, Leo, could not keep up with the bills alone on his salary as a cab driver.

Wow. What a concept. A family works hard and values education and their daughter thrives. Officials have worked to find the family temporary housing, too. It is great to see there are still those willing to work to overcome great obstacles.
Homeless teen up for science prize gets a house

Good heavens Miss Sakamoto! You're beautiful!...




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New year, new hope

Nice store today in the Buffalo News from Dan Herbeck about Clarence Rounds. Rounds is the homeless veteran who had been living in an underground bunker a few years ago. Several readers donated money to him in an effort to get him back on his feet...

a generous reader stepped up to pay a $590 security deposit that Rounds needed to move into an apartment that will be paid for under a U. S. Veterans Affairs program to assist homeless veterans.

Another reader gave Rounds $590 to buy furniture and household items. Six different News readers contacted either Rounds or the newspaper, offering to pay the security deposit.

Those readers could have given that money to family members, or invested it. It's great they tried to help someone they probably never even met before. As tough as Rounds has had it, he seems to appreciate the help he has received over the years to beat his alcohol addiction...

Rounds said he wants people to know that, although he has experienced violence and cruelty, he has met far more people who went out of their way to help him.

“I’ve met people who gave me food, let me take showers in their homes, helped me with my paperwork for social services . . . and gave me odd jobs,” Rounds said. “I’ve had a lot of churches help me, too. I met more good people than bad.”

Hopefully, this will be the start of something good for Rounds. Most of us are fortunate enough to not have addictive personalities. Drugs, gambling, and alcohol can be serious vices for people like this. I hope everyone has a great New Year. I really appreciate all the feedback I've received from readers during the last year, even those people who wish me bodily harm.

With help, Rounds is homeless no longer

We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change.
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange.
He asked the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes.
Get a job you fuckin' slob is all he replied.

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes.
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues.
Then you really might know what it's like.

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Never judge a book by it's cover

This is a bizarre story. Ted Williams, from Columbus, Ohio is a homeless man who used to work in radio, until drug and alcohol addictions got the better of him. He says he's been sober for two years. You have to listen to him in this short clip. Good thing he's a radio guy, because I don't see television in his future...

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