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True Homeless Stories
Below you will find a selection of true stories of real people who have experienced homelessness. We hope that these stories will change your perception of who the homeless are.
Featured Story
The Homeless Are a Real Problem With Few Solutions
by Steve Fackerell
Published: January 13, 2010
As bad as life is, it could be worse. I sit here in my rotating office chair and look out the window into a strange, compelling world. I am the assistant manager of a low income hotel. I live on-site, so I have gained a unique perspective on the poor population of this area.Read More...
From Baseball Hero to Homeless: The J.R. Richard Story
by Blaine Spence
Published: July 27, 2009
Richard was not just good at sports in high school, he was phenomenal. He gained national recognition for both his play in baseball and basketball. His basketball prowess was such that Richard entertained offers of scholarships from nearly every elite college program in the country. He turned every one of them down flat.Read More ...
William, age 61
Published: November 16, 2009
It was late June in Philadelphia when I first met William in front of 30th Street Station. He was pacing thoughtfully in his military fatigues and khakis that draped his gaunt figure. His hair grew wildly out from underneath an olive green cap. The travelers filed by him, stuffing their luggage into taxis and SUVs.Read More ...
Brenda, age 62
Published: June 7, 2009
The light turns red and I cross Juniper Street, entering the mouth of a large stone archway that opens into City Hall. A dazed cadre of city officials shuffle out of the tunnel and onto Market Street. A small, older lady catches my eye. She’s sitting on the bottom of a staircase to my left, asking people if they have any spare change. She repeats it over and over again. “Excuse me, do you have any spare change?” she pleads in a barely audible voice. I stop and watch for a moment.Read More ...
Sean, age 47
Published: June 5, 2009
I first saw Sean sitting with his back to a building, his legs stretched out with the casual tranquility of an uncluttered mind. He grinned widely - almost inanely - as he snacked on a piece of dried, flaky bread.Read More ...
Howard, age 59
Published: May 24, 2009
Howard sits in a wheelchair on an overcast day in the city. His arms lay folded in his lap, paper cup in hand. He carries all that he owns in a compartment in the back of his wheelchair. His umbrella protrudes from behind his shoulder in case he’s caught in a downpour. He’s a kind man with a warm demeanor.Read More ...
Z., age unknown
Read More ...
Published: May 19, 2009
Z. stood disheveled with a vacant but somehow irritated look in his eyes. He seems transfixed, against his will, by some far off memories. He is tall and fairly well-built, but his posture fixes his eyes below the gaze of most. He has a graying, overgrown beard and looks to be in his mid to late fifties.Read More ...
Michael, age 34
Published: May 18, 2009
When I first saw Michael crouched against an elegant building on Market Street, he was eating intently out of one of those enclosable styrofoam plates. I couldn’t tell, but it seemed to be some sort of pork over rice. He’s caucasian, has a pretty intimidating beard and is somewhat heavy-set. In front of him, perched against his knees was a cardboard sign: “HOME LESS and VERRY Hungry / trying to GET to SEE My Fathers GRAVE IN SAN Antonio TEXAS / Its BEEN 10 yrs / PLEASE Help ME Pleas.”Read More ...
Dutch, age 48
Published: May 16, 2009
It was about 5 p.m. in late April when I saw Dutch sitting on a granite bench on the north side of Market Street. He was sitting up straight, unfazed by the bustle of the businessmen or the clamor of the city.Read More ...