Empowering Homeless People: A Driver's Mission

I drive for Uber and Lyft. As such I also get to help with the homeless population transportation. It saddens me to hear some of the things people say and what they think about homeless people. That being said, I want you to think about how often you hear the word “homeless” without the word “people” attached to it. I was homeless for a while here in the riverside valley, people always say there are programs for the homeless, yes there are, but when I was homeless (2months) , and the few times I’ve gotten involved in trying to help someone get into a shelter it’s been impossible. Most homeless lack basic resources, mailing address, birth certificate, social security cards, some don’t even have valid ID, things you need to find employment. and most programs are just jammed packed or geared towards women and children where these said issues can be worked on. I was fortunate when I was homeless, I found an elderly gentleman who took me into his home, and helped me find a job. I functioned as a care giver. Long story short, I don’t have the appropriate space in my apartment to house anyone, which is my long term goal. Rehab and life skills coaching. My mission is to help the “people” who were dealt a bad hand, I hear stories of people losing their jobs/careers, spouses, and children in the same year, people who weren’t bad or malicious/mischievous… at least not before they lost their pride/humanity, and were looked down on because they had no place to shower or take care of basic hygiene. Yah I said it, homeless people are vastly discriminated against. A homeless man approaches you, your either afraid of him, wave him away because you don’t have cash, or reach for your wallet. That is how I was treated when I was homeless. People wrinkle their nose at you and you have no power or control to change your situation. Of course there are those who ruined their own life too, but even these people given the chance would jump at an opportunity to function in society again. Not all of them but some of them. But the bottom line is, I was one of these discarded people, I was dealt a bad hand and needed a helping hand. the complete and utter shame you feel the first few times begging for food or money is something I’ll never forget. It never goes away really, you just get used to feeling it. After a while it becomes easy to suck down half a hamburger at McDonald’s then “magically” discover that your burger was made “wrongly” and ask for another. I bring this to your attention because my ultimate mission is to take these people and rehabilitate them, remind them that they are people and they have value, remind them it’s ok to have hopes and dreams. To equip them with the tools and resources to rebuild the pride and confidence required to function in society, and for those truly motivated to achieve more for themselves, arm them with a work education or internship, maybe even college degree if there are enough community resources. (Grants, student loans, etc.) My mission is lofty at the moment, I don’t know how I am going to get there, I occasionally buy shoes, water bottles, and summer/winter wear for the homeless when I am financially able. I’ve never cared to be an “influencer” or "receiving recognition" for a good deed, and never took photos or videos, living in the moment and receiving their gratitude has always been more than enough for me. I hope that if i share this gratitude with this community, you will grant me your aid. weather its a dollar or a hundred dollars it could be the dollar that was needed to buy a tie or a bus pass for the man/woman who landed an interview but has nothing presentable. If the community supports my mission, Moving forward I will. If the person receiving aid isn't against photos or sharing their stories, i will. if not, ill share the expense (billable receipts) of the aid rendered as well as the remaining balance or charitable funds. That being said, with such a lofty mission, I’ve broken it down into simple obtainable objectives. This is a reach out program, I will actively search for those who legitimately want the help. If the process takes too long, I will create flyers and reach out to the police. The Officers in the valley here are great men, they legitimately care. I've spoken with them so many times. During peak summer it can get up to 120 degrees, hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk with 0 exaggeration. many officers go out of their way to do health and wellness checks on homeless, not issue tickets or citations. many of them also do their best to help the homeless in to shelters as well. but it is not enough, the resources available are not enough. I want to establish a community of homeless people and get them monthly bus passes. Transportation is so important during the summer, finding a cooling center where they won’t be chased away by police will prevent dehydration and heat stroke. The second objective is to get them gym member ships so that they can shower no matter what city they are in. Having access to proper hygiene will help them obtain some of their dignity and pride as a human, as well as help prevent sickness. My 3rd objective is to help them obtain a laundry mat card. Clean clothes will go a long way towards lowering body odor, those who are fortunate enough to have enough forms of identification to obtain a job- provided with these 3 resources should be able to make their own attempts to get back on their feet. My mission is much larger than this, but with $2,000 these are the 3 things I would like to focus on If nothing else. This is something I do with my down time as an Uber Lyft driver. This is my way of paying it forward. I ask that you join me in this endeavor, hopefully I’ve impressed upon you the idea that these people need help, keep in mind some of them are U.S. vets. NOBODY EVER ASKED TO BE HOMELESS. Tom is my friend, he deserves my help, and more. More than I can give him. This is not a war zone, a 2nd or 3rd world country, this is the United States of America. And not just Tom or other vets, all the homeless deserve our support. I have plans to help people, and the more motivated they are to help themselves, the more I’ll look for the resources to help them achieve stability. Every adventure begins with one small step. I've got ideas about T-shirts for those who get that same sick satisfaction out of helping people in a way that they can't help themselves. in the future, donations over a certain limit will get you a "Need a Hand" shirt. This is a non profit endeavor. i won't keep a single penny, and aim for transparency, because when you've been kicked around, had the cops called on you for loitering in the A.C. its hard to ask for help repeatedly when you've been asking for months and even years. There are waiting list and sometimes stipulations at homeless shelters. That's why i feel an outreach program is needed, these 3 basic needs will empower them to live healthier lives, and fight some of the prejudices against the homeless. They aren't criminals, their people, even criminals are treated better than they are, they have 3 meals and a bed. These tools could also potentially give them a fighting chance to get back into the work force. With the buss pass, save a life, with the gym membership, promote health and hygiene, with the Landry mat- give the gift respect. I have started a second page for the lofty goal of house them, if you believe in the cause please give it a look. May warmth and happiness follow you and those around you.

https://www.gofundme.com/rehabilitation-and-housing-for-the-homeless