Understanding Homelessness – From Eva Slagle

I saw something on social media that hurt my heart and brought me to tears. We have so many that don’t understand homelessness and why it happens.

Mike and I have been serving the homeless now for 9 years. We hear comments made about or towards the homeless without knowing their story. A few of the comments we hear are…. They’re lazy! Why don’t they get a job! She’s loose with her body! If they weren’t an addict! Why do you let them take advantage of you? Oh there is more!!!!

Large percentage of the homeless community has experienced trauma as a child. Many of the females experiencing homelessness have been sexually abused as a child from someone they trusted. We have spoken with some that have watched a parent commit suicide. Can you even imagine that image as a child? If we don’t counsel them, and produce a positive environment for them to flourish in, we can’t expect them to overcome trauma on their own! Average age of a person becoming pimp is 13!!! How does that happen? Who is behind that? Yet we judge!! Men and women experiencing domestic violence will choose the streets in hopes of escaping the violence. Addiction…let’s talk about addiction! Have you ever met someone that has experienced an injury that required pain killers but it led to addiction? I have met quite a few people that have experienced so much trauma in their lifetime that drugs or alcohol were their way to escape. My uncle Frank is that person! Once again trauma left untreated! Death of a family member, depression, loss of a job and a mental illness can all lead to addiction!

Felons…We just experienced this last week and this won’t be the last and surely wasn’t the first! Once released from Prison or Jail they get released to the streets with the clothes they entered in. Flip flops in the winter! No winter coat. No ID! No housing or no transportation but they are expected to meet with their parole officer. No job either but we expect them to change!

Why can’t they just get a job? No ID, No Birth Certificate and No Social Security card! This all costs money and is hard to prove who you are. Now there is an organization that will help but it does take time

They take advantage of you!!! My comment is “let them”! Did Jesus know that Judas was stealing from him? YES but Jesus loved him anyways.

Until you sit down and know their story then you shouldn’t judge unless you want judged! You don’t know my story and you would be shocked if I told you! There is redemption in Jesus! We all have a story!

These are my people/my family! I haven’t heard a story yet that would harden my heart towards a homeless person and I have heard many stories. Don’t forget about our veterans Or our elderly….They are homeless too!

I my homeless and they know it! Please think before you judge!!!