Street people are just people like you and me. They have families that love them in a lot of cases. Some have mental illnesses that keep them on the streets and others are their own worst enemies. I think a lot of people are just one pay cheque away from homelessness. It is so easy to drive by or even walk past these people without even a moments notice. In our town the homeless spend the day begging on the streets and people bypass them without a moments notice, deaf to their pleas for help. The shelters are full and people are sleeping in the doorways of shops, often defecating on the sidewalks. Every night the Christians alight in town carrying and pulling their hot meals for the homeless, trying to help them, words falling on deaf ears.

Driving down the road one day I notice a middle age native woman, in her hand is a little stuffed squirrel, her look is vacant as she crosses the street. She sits in front of the jewelery store on the corner, her and the squirrel and waits for handouts. I am fascinated by this woman, what brought her to this point, how has she fallen through the cracks? Where did she get her squirrel? Is the squirrel her best friend? The light turns green and I drive out of her life.

I realize a lot of the homeless are there by choice but the ones who aren't and have just fallen on hard times my heart goes out to. I think the government has it's hands full and it is up to each and everyone of us to open our eyes and hearts to the people that need our help.

Next time you pass by the homeless just remember it could be me or you or a loved one, we are all just as vulnerable and could end up there ourselves no matter how much we think it couldn't happen to us.

Learn more about this author, Jade Wiki.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about 'Street people' - Who are they??
We want to hear your view. Write now!