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I worked as an outside messenger in October and November 2004, and because I was out on the streets more often than inside buildings, I came into contact with a lot of homeless people who carried signs and begged for money on the sidewalks.

I donated a dollar here and there based on the sincerity of the homeless person. I also gave them Fountain House’s newspaper to let them know that belonging to a psychosocial clubhouse might be their route to a roof over their heads. I gave one homeless person the address of the Prince George residence, telling him that formerly homeless applicants are given preference in the intake process.

The problem was clearly an overwhelming one. I did research, reading an autobiography of a man who had lived on the Grand Central subway platforms due to his addiction to crack cocaine. He raised himself from this lowly status by becoming a published writer.

I talked to people who went to food pantries and soup kitchens, some of whom lived in shelters, others living in hotels, apartments or residences for low-income tenants. Many of them said that they had formerly worked, but now were receiving Social Security Disability payments for psychiatric or medical disabilities. One woman said that her husband had cancer, but that they were not eligible for Medicaid.

A great many homeless people seem to be struggling with mental illness or physical infirmities. They need connections to social service organizations which will help them achieve housing approval. Many of them need home health attendants to protect their right to live independently, and not in a hospital or a nursing home. Living among friends and relatives is always preferable to an institution.

Formerly homeless people who have achieved housing have overcome a myriad of obstacles. In Unity There is Strength and We Are Not Alone are two mottoes to keep in mind.