Columnist Susan Snyder: Stories swept from the street

Friday, Aug. 8, 2003 | 8:09 a.m.

For nearly a week, the spotlight has shone on one of the valley's darkest problems. The National Coalition for the Homeless put Las Vegas at the top of its "Meanest Cities" list, juxtaposing sweeping arrests of people who are homeless against the closure of area shelters for them.

But even in nonprofit reports that seek to support people who are homeless, the voices of these anonymous neighbors are lost.

Today, we will hear their voices.

The following excerpts are from "21st Century Street Stories," a book compiled by Poverello House of Hospitality. The Las Vegas day shelter for the homeless provides showers, restrooms, food, laundry facilities and dignity. The essays and poems were gathered at the shelter and on the valley's streets:

"People are contemptuous. They look down on others who don't have the same opportunities, who can't read and write well. I've been six months unemployed. I got laid off, and I wasn't there long enough to qualify for benefits. I'd been doing live-in work before I lost my job. That's part of the reason I became homeless." -- Jamie.

"His hearth, a cold park bench. He was outcast, cold, alone. These were his only crimes: That he was sick and old ... He never heard bird's morning song, which was his one delight. But singing angels took him home, from out the frozen night." -- From Evie Kinney's poem, "The First Frost."

"I lived all over the country. I was a Navy brat, so I've been everywhere. I ran from Vermont after an abusive relationship, and I've been running ever since." -- Kathleen.

"There's good and bad homeless people, like there are anywhere. Half the people will say just get a job, as if it's that easy ... Just because this is America, doesn't mean everybody can live the same, or everybody has the same opportunities. I do think homeless people are broken." -- S.

"There's nothing wrong with being homeless. Even the rich can have their house burnt down, miss their insurance." -- Steven.

"It could happen to anybody. People come here on vacation. They might have $30,000 in the bank, they start gambling and they get hooked. I saw a banker who ended up at Catholic Charities. If it can happen to him, then it can happen to anybody." -- Anonymous.

"I became homeless when I got divorced, and things started going downhill. Being in the streets is no joke, sleeping here, sleeping there, it's hell." -- Ricky.

"Sometimes we make mistakes. I came to Vegas and blew all my money gambling. I've traveled all over the States. I went to Boulder City and stayed for five years -- I did dumpster diving. I'm in the process of getting back with my family.

"My kids miss me very much. They're upset. About four years ago my daughter came to the park. She asked me, 'Dad, why are you sitting on this park bench?' How do you explain to a little kid?" -- Dominic, homeless for seven years.

"When I was a little kid there was no such word as homeless. There was tramp and hobo, and I was scared to death of them. I thought at these camps all they did was beat each other up. It is my opinion that people on the street are just people." -- Reid.

"I have an excellent mind. I went to MIT, worked on anti-submarine warfare, I speak four languages and I taught myself to read and write Chinese." -- Anonymous.

"I think I'll be OK. it might take a little while, but I'll get back on my feet. I was sick. I had a heart attack, but I know I'm going to make it. I believe in God, in the Spirit watching over us. I say my prayers at nighttime. There's a reason why I'm in this situation. There's a reason for everything." -- Alex.

"The scalding aroma boils inside my nose as I take in a breath rising from the enormous 10-gallon worn metal pot, while lifting the lid. Hot coffee for freezing folks, each simple cup a steaming brew of hospitality, melting away the bitter reality of harsh words.

"Unmasked fortune, merciless addiction, revealed by shivering, blistered, worn, scarred, rough, scaly, dark, stained, cracked, cut, gashed, sometimes missing hands, readily receiving the simple gift of warmth, in a cup, if only for a moment." -- From "Hands" by Patrick Quilao.

"So many homeless are mothers with children. Our politicians should be ashamed! I say this -- we may not have much cash, but does that mean you should judge us as trash? People see us homeless as 'one of a kind.' They don't bother to look inside. What's a poor jobless man to do?

"I ask if you dare -- walk a mile in my shoes." -- From "Walk a Mile in My Shoes." -- Anonymous.