Can you help?

Homelessness is a tough issue. The economic conditions of recent years have certainly not helped either.

Most of the time, we see folks on street corners holding signs like this one, and wonder what their story is? Usually, it is much easier to avoid eye contact, or just look in a different direction while we wait for the traffic light to change.

Many of us will wonder why they just don't go out and get a job? Not as easy as you might think if a person is homeless. Simple logistics like bathing, and preparing meals takes up a major portion of the day. Who wants to hire someone who does not have an address to put down on a job application?

The truth of the matter is, that homelessness can happen to anyone!

Rita and her husband Mike have been homeless for several years. They live in a greenbelt area in a tent. Every now and then the city comes around and gives them 72 hours notice to pack up and move on. Rita told me the last time the city came through, they threw out most of their possessions because the couple was unable to move quickly enough.

I have known Rita for over a year now, from when she and her husband were living in one of the local tent cities where I volunteer as an official / unofficial camp photographer.

Incidentally, the Mike in the linked story is a different Mike, and not Rita's husband.

Rita is for real, and so is her story. I had not seen her in awhile, so it was nice to run into an old friend.