Over the many months we’ve spent in Skid Row we’ve heard many stories. This past week we learned about a man who spent 20 years in prison. When he got out of prison he re-entered a world where all his family members and friends had either passed away or were no longer reachable. Unable to find a job due to his status, he found refuge on the streets of Los Angeles’ where he has lived for the past 10 years.
He voluntarily told us this story one night, while we were packing up our stuff and going home. He literally ran to us, and asked us why we do what we do. He was baffled at why “regular” people like us would spend our Thursday night, hanging out with “bums” on the street. He said that we probably had wives, girlfriends, and family members to be with and that it really meant a lot to him that we would spend time with them by choice.
Somewhere on the internet there are arguments about the hierarchy of human needs. They say air, water and shelter from the elements are the top three. After these are met, there is a lot to be said that human connection, love and belongingness is next. People say these people need jobs. Its difficult to hold or obtain a job when you are denied the capability of feeling human.
