Bridging the Gap

There’s little doubt that society would like to see homelessness disappear but let’s face the fact that it’s not. There are a few programs already in place, some that have taken shape and failed, and some that are still in the process of basic structure. Currently, there are plans of building a small community of Conestoga huts so persons would have some sort of safe structure to temporarily live in while moving forward in their lives.

Here’s where the problem comes in. After speaking with one of the leaders of a local organization and asking how I can be of assistance, I went out to retrieve more information on this type of approach and I found exactly what I thought I would find. Some of this information was obtained directly from a homeless person:

Even though most homeless persons are mindset on being more productive with their lives and carry the desire to better themselves, some are perfectly content as long as there are basic necessities for sustainment. This becomes a real issue when it comes time to decide who gets what.

Definition of Opportunity: 1) A set of circumstances that make it possible to do something. 2) A chance for employment or promotion.

The funds for providing proper shelter in an environment similar to most persons in a working community are extremely limited so if just anybody is allowed to utilize these accommodations, someone is going to be left out. There has to be some way to filter between the chronic homeless and the persons who will put the programs to use the way they are intended.

Here’s the real issue. Nobody wants to be the bad guy, or the judge, and say, “You can stay and you cannot.”

No matter how you slice it, someone is going to get pissed off and throw a fit. People who are living on the streets struggle daily and tossing in a judgment such as that may add even more fuel to an existing attitude that’s on the teetering edge of uncontrollable anger. This makes building a bridge to close the gap from homelessness to productive lives that much more of a challenge.

If you have any thoughts or ideas on this issue and can find a resolution, please leave a comment so I can pass it along.

Until next time,
Kirk Toncray
WEBSITE

 

First Impressions Never Leave

In order to put the title of this post into context, I’ll dive right in and give a perfect example of how a few inconsiderate individuals can add fuel to an existing fire regarding stereotypes of the homeless. This happens so frequently that it’s little wonder even the cleanest and most caring of  less fortunate individuals get a bum rap.

I was not only shocked, but completely embarrassed as well when I took the friendly staff from Flux Magazine up to one of my old camping areas. I hadn’t been up in this particular area for about six, maybe seven years and I was overwhelmed at the bitter sight that filled not only my eyes, but the eyes of the people I was with as well.

In a nutshell, when a person is homeless, and it seems like nobody cares, it’s very difficult to give a damn about anything. This is a fact. I’ve been there. However, back in the days of my homelessness, and spending time with other homeless persons as well, we always managed to give enough ‘damn’ to keep a somewhat clean camp area. It’s not that difficult.

If a person takes a bag of whatever up to camp, consumes the whatever, the only effort required to maintain a neat and tidy campsite is toss the garbage back into the bag that it came in and simply carry it out with you the next day. It’s really that simple. Why can’t everyone do this and make the world a better place?

Here’s a picture that will hopefully deter some of the stereotypes of homeless camps. If you’ve paid attention to my website, you’ve seen this before:

I am hoping at least one of the team members from Flux Magazine reads this post in order to accept my apologies on behalf of the responsible homeless persons who are still out there and still give a half a damn.

Until next time,
Kirk Toncray
WEBSITE

Amazing Hearts

Last weekend, there was a fundraising event for the Egan Warming Centers, held at Cosmic Pizza in Eugene, OR. This isn’t an ordinary pizza parlor but one that often hosts live musicians to play their tunes on stage. It isn’t a huge concert hall, but the stage is well positioned so the bands can do their thing and their music can be enjoyed by all.

There ended up being six bands at the event, none of which were boring or unsatisfactory. The turnout for this important event was incredible, way beyond expectations. Personally, I thought people would flow in and out the door as they ordered and consumed their pizza and beverages, not giving a hoot about the entertainment on stage or the cause of the event.

Was I ever wrong!

I don’t know the income figures generated by this event but along with any non-required donations received at the door, the raffles alone brought in a fair share of money for this important network which provides shelter, food, and supplies for the homeless during the bitterest nights of the winter.

If these people haven’t been thanked enough, kudos to all the musicians who performed, utilizing their amazing talents, Lane Transit District employees for their time preparing the raffle baskets, and of course, Cosmic Pizza for hosting this important event.

 

Another huge thanks to all who not only donated, but participated in this amazing and fun event.

Until Next Time,
Kirk Toncray
WEBSITE

Cold—The Only Challenge?

As an interview with the wonderful folks at Flux Magazine progressed, a thought occurred to me that cold weather isn’t the only challenge Mother Nature throws at homeless persons. Sweltering heat becomes a major concern as well. Here’s why:

As temperatures rise, most persons these days have air conditioned homes, automobiles or at least someplace to go to avoid being directly out in the sun. Even a fan helps. Homeless persons do not have these ‘luxuries.’ Although many businesses will allow someone to come in and sit down, it’s usually only for a short time when nothing is chosen from the menu–except maybe a free glass of cool water. I’m not pointing fingers; this isn’t wrong, those businesses are there to make money, not cater to someone who is just trying to avoid the heat.

The point I am making is homeless persons do not have electricity for fans, and at times, finding shade even becomes a problem. On top of that, most homeless individuals have a very limited supply of clothing on hand; sometimes the very same clothes worn throughout the year. More times than not, the clothes are worn without even being laundered that entire time. For instance, John, in Behind the Signs, always wore either a worn-out leather jacket or grubby insulated coveralls. It wasn’t because he wanted to appear snazzy in that old jacket, or because he was on his way to work, he just didn’t have anything else to wear. The tee-shirt underneath wasn’t fit to scrub a dirty sink.

These things that seem trivial to most people become very real things to a homeless person who is trying to avoid a heat stroke.

Yes, another excerpt from Behind the Signs:

 

Until Next Time,
Kirk Toncray
WEBSITE

Behind the Signs–Storyline Location

Many folks wonder, and some even outright ask, where did you and your friends stand or sit and fly your signs? The Behind the Signs storyline location is somewhat unique in the fact that it’s located at a major interchange at one of the main passages from Eastern to Western Oregon. The intersection also conveniently locates two busy shopping centers, including two supermarkets, fast food restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses.

Once we were disallowed on The Rock, (Behind the Signs—chapter 1), we began flying sign between the four lanes of the freeway as it ended at the intersection, joining Main Street and a major roadway to another well-traveled mountain pass. The interchange is pictured here:

 

 

Many days were spent standing or sitting at this location. Some of which were during sudden downpours or even snow which resulted in us becoming quite wet and cold, due to the fact that the closest shelter was three pedestrian signals and a parking lot away.

This is from Behind the Signs, Chapter 17, Flying the Freeway–introducing the location of a new era in flying sign:

 

As you can see, we always immediatly respected Johnny Law's requests, no matter how much we disagreed with them.

Until Next Time,
Kirk Toncray
WEBSITE



Unacceptable Acts

Why do some people feel that if they need something, they must take it without asking? I pondered this Thursday when someone burglarized the offices used by a local charity and other operations here in Springfield, Oregon—Soaring Hope Compassionate Ministries. Somehow, I just don’t get why a person would go to the extreme of stealing from a charity organization when giving is what-they-do.

A little about Soaring Hope (This is from their Facebook page): Soaring Hope is an outreach ministry offering hot meals, laundry facilities, a day room, and our support to those in need. More than all of that, we offer the Love of Jesus to all who come to us for assistance.

The thing that gets me the most is why target a charity, if for some asinine reason you are going to steal at all? These places give out donated food and other items on top of providing services for laundry and other things as well. If someone has a problem, I’m sure they have someone available to help that person through that problem, free of charge, no strings attached.

When I saw what had happened as it became visible on Facebook, I was outraged and so should you be. This action is not only unacceptable, it’s just downright wrong.

In conclusion, Kudos to the Springfield Police Department for doing such a fine job in finding the suspect(s) in such short time. Let it be known that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

Click HERE to visit Soaring Hope on Facebook and click 'Like' to show your support.

Until Next Time,
Kirk Toncray
WEBSITE

About Homelessness

Since I wrote Behind the Signs with the full intent to open 'closed' minds on the complicated issue of homeless persons - what put them there and what their previous lives were like - I have decided to not only include posts on this blog that pertain to the book, but to the title as well. Now that I am deeply involved in the emergency warming shelter for the homeless, I am learning even more in-depth information that pertains to these individuals. During two recent activations of the shelter, there was one individual that seemed to be a trouble-maker of sorts. The last activation became violent and needed to be de-fused before something really bad happened. I decided to go deeper into the issue of mental illness among homeless persons and I have found some interesting data:

Most homeless persons are men, but about 10 to 25% are women, of whom about half string children along with them. Significant mental illness pertains to about 30 to 35% of the homeless which includes, but not limited to: Functional Psychoses, Acute Distress, Personality Dysfunction, and Co-morbidity.

Co-morbidity - Smaller conditions that exist primarily due to a larger condition that sometimes results in self-medication. (This co-morbidity is what I was explaining in my book):

Behind the Signs - Chapter 42, A Way Out

There is much, much more to the old stereotypical view of the homeless than meets the eye. Those stereotypes only touch the surface - not reaching to the very root of the existing problem(s).

Until Next Time,
Kirk Toncray
WEBSITE