Story of the Week:by Shannon Moriarty on change.org
"THE RIO GRANDE REPORT"
Friday January 8 2010
Although there are resources available to help homeless people get in out of the cold, they do not meet the need. In addition, there are waiting lists.
When shelters are at maximum capacity, as they are during winter months, one can wait up to two weeks to get a bed.
Many people choose not to stay indoors, perhaps due to drug or alcohol abuse ( those who have been drinking are not allowed in shelters). Other valid reasons include violence and stealing. Many homeless youth, some already subjected to physical or sexual abuse, are afraid they may be vulnerable to such treatment in shelters. Many people have mental disabilities which make it difficult to tolerate the environment and conform to the rules and routine. Shelters have experienced infestations of bedbugs that make people hesitant to stay in them.
There were many nights throughout my years of homelessness that I had no where to comfortably sleep, feared for my safety, and wondered if I would wake up in the morning, or freeze to death. I was one of the lucky ones, unlike the gentleman in the story below. One of 58 souls that died on the street, cold and alone.
Utah
[St. George] Shelter fights bedbug outbreak by Tiffany De Masters The Spectrum
Jordan Beetdiggers raise cash for charity by Lisa Schencker The Salt Lake Tribune
Number of homeless deaths continues to rise by Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
Nation
More from The Associated Press below
In the shadows, day laborers left homeless as work vanishes by Fernanado Santos The New York Times [photo below: Fred R Conrad NYT]
Tunnels beneath Vegas a refuge for homeless people The Associated Press
blog by Miki Meek The New York Times.
Pulitzer Prize nominated photos by Shiho Fukada
World
[Jolly good show, your highness.]
Prince William sleeps on streets in solidarity with homeless youth by Shannon Moriarty on change.org [image: Sky News]New center helps homeless women BBC News
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