Homeless

Michael Jones, the author of the following letter, is a 24-year-old, mentally challenged man. He lives with his parents, but is awaiting an opening in an adult educational and placement program. Although he is retarded, he has a strong social awareness.

No one was aware that Michael was going out on the streets and talking to the homeless. He didn’t understand why these people were in the position they were in, and unlike the majority of us, asked them. He was very moved by their problems and is trying to help. Hence, the letter.

With very limited skills, Michael wrote this piece. He learned how to use his Mom’s computer and wrote more than one version. The whole process took weeks.

JAMES GRIGGS

Los Angeles

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The homeless live in cardboard boxes, missions and parks. They push shopping carts full of clothes, food and cans. They get money from cans and bottles and dig in dumpsters for clothes, food, cans, bottles and newspapers. They also panhandle for money at the malls, Vons and street corners. They also wash car windows for money. They wear torn clothes from the dumpsters. Often people throw clothes away so the homeless can get them out of the dumpsters. Some people sit down next to the homeless at the bus stop, while others won’t sit near them. Some people say hello to the homeless to be nice, while others ignore them. Some homeless don’t take showers so they stink but they need to be clean to look for a job.

Mrs. Thomas used to live with her parents. She was from Ohio and raised by a good Catholic family. She is 54 years old and her parents are probably dead or too old to keep her. She doesn’t have a place to stay and take a shower so she can be clean for a job.

There are some homeless that don’t want a job or a place to stay. There are some homeless who don’t want to talk to you and they talk to themselves and say bad things. They even want to hit you and they are violent to each other. Homeless people sometimes spend their money on beer and drugs. I feel like the homeless are out on the street trying to stay alive without getting shot or raped. I would like to see them get off the streets and find a place to stay and look for a job. I think the homeless should find a job and get help.

MICHAEL JONES

Los Angeles