by Paula Duran
Sitting at The Gathering Place with other homeless women, I'm so scared all the time now. "Russ" threw me out on Thursday. Went to my son's house, he put me in the truck, stayed one night, froze my butt off. Took shelter at 1340 Elati in Women's Shelter. I've seen women much worse off than me. I can handle it.
Second day at The Gathering Place. I've cried two times today. Met a woman that gave me a number for a place to live. Left a message and maybe. Hoping that I get a call back. Being homeless sucks. I don't ever want that for me again. I've met so many interesting people in the last week. I always looked down on homeless people, but now have a new respect for them. It's not their fault they are homeless, it's the circumstances of this world. I just met two ladies that have taken me under their wings and are showing me the ropes.
Writing this down helps to keep me in perspective. I don't want to give in to despair. I am doing ok so far. I wanted adventure in my life just not this.
Saturday here I sit at St. Francis Shelter. The stench is horrible (so many unwashed bodies in here). One week homeless it feels like a year. I just want to go home and sleep next to Russ tonight. I'll be good. I've learned a lot about street living from Pearl and her daughter Ronnie. They keep me sane and going on, day after day. Writing keeps me sane so I don't completely lose it. Have class tomorrow at the Workforce Center till 1:00.
2-31-2014 Thank you ladies of the Montview Presbyterian Church. You made all the difference.
3-31-2014 stayed all day at St. Francis. Held a lottery to see if 20 women would go to a church to sleep tonight. I didn't get in on the list, but was put on the wait list #4. When they called the names of the women, 5 didn't show up. Guess what I made it on the van. So went to Montview Presbyterian Church. We were welcomed with hugs and hellos at the door. The ladies of the church were so kind, and welcoming. Dinner was served at tables with tablecloths and daffodils as centerpieces. After dinner we went to the cellar to play pool and sing. I lost at pool, but it was fun. I opened up and actually had fun. We do it again tomorrow, the lottery. Hoping and praying I get picked again. Oh well, that is for tomorrow. I feel real good tonight, my belly is full and I'm tired.
4-3-2014 stayed at St. Barnabas it was a good experience. Volunteers were very nice and caring to treat us with respect. All in all it was a nice night.
Second day at The Gathering Place. I've cried two times today. Met a woman that gave me a number for a place to live. Left a message and maybe. Hoping that I get a call back. Being homeless sucks. I don't ever want that for me again. I've met so many interesting people in the last week. I always looked down on homeless people, but now have a new respect for them. It's not their fault they are homeless, it's the circumstances of this world. I just met two ladies that have taken me under their wings and are showing me the ropes.
Writing this down helps to keep me in perspective. I don't want to give in to despair. I am doing ok so far. I wanted adventure in my life just not this.
Saturday here I sit at St. Francis Shelter. The stench is horrible (so many unwashed bodies in here). One week homeless it feels like a year. I just want to go home and sleep next to Russ tonight. I'll be good. I've learned a lot about street living from Pearl and her daughter Ronnie. They keep me sane and going on, day after day. Writing keeps me sane so I don't completely lose it. Have class tomorrow at the Workforce Center till 1:00.
2-31-2014 Thank you ladies of the Montview Presbyterian Church. You made all the difference.
3-31-2014 stayed all day at St. Francis. Held a lottery to see if 20 women would go to a church to sleep tonight. I didn't get in on the list, but was put on the wait list #4. When they called the names of the women, 5 didn't show up. Guess what I made it on the van. So went to Montview Presbyterian Church. We were welcomed with hugs and hellos at the door. The ladies of the church were so kind, and welcoming. Dinner was served at tables with tablecloths and daffodils as centerpieces. After dinner we went to the cellar to play pool and sing. I lost at pool, but it was fun. I opened up and actually had fun. We do it again tomorrow, the lottery. Hoping and praying I get picked again. Oh well, that is for tomorrow. I feel real good tonight, my belly is full and I'm tired.
4-3-2014 stayed at St. Barnabas it was a good experience. Volunteers were very nice and caring to treat us with respect. All in all it was a nice night.
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