Roscoe Farris is a 78 year old Army Vet who lost his home four years ago and was forced to live on the streets. Never having been houseless before Roscoe changed locations before finding himself at home in Skid Row. Despite the obvious dangers of living in Skid Row he felt there were a lot of resources available in the community to make life on the street a bit more bearable.

 

The other street residents of Skid Row welcomed Roscoe as a new member of their community. They say he's known to be a quiet man who keeps mostly to himself. He watches over parked cars for a few of the nearby business employee's to make sure no one breaks in or vandalizes their vehicles. At night he walks the woman to their cars to protect them and make them feel safe. He is all around loved and respected in the Skid Row community.

 

On the evening of Saturday August 14th a man set Roscoe's tent on fire while he was asleep inside of it. Luckily he was wakened by the fire and managed to escape before he was harmed. However, all his life possessions were lost. Roscoe does not know the man who set fire to his tent. The man was said to be in a foul mood due to other circumstances and overheard saying "I'm going to burn all of Skid Row, down." After setting Roscoe's tent on fire he was chased away by other nearby street residents but he was not caught. Sadly for Roscoe it was all too late as his life possessions went up in flames.

 

There are many people in Skid Row who need help in Los Angeles as well as Skid Row and it his hard to know where to begin. Today we are helping Roscoe. There is absolutely no reason why a 78 year old man and an American Army Vet should be houseless and without aid.

 

Today we are asking for your help. We are hoping to raise enough money to get Roscoe into a hotel and help him buy back some of the things he needs.

 

The money raised for Roscoe will be managed by James Henschel who will make all the dispensing of funds available for all to see here on this page as we move forward. Some of the funds will go to getting him into a hotel and hopefully permanent housing and some of it will be given directly to Roscoe for him to decide what he needs.

 

We are also asking that any social workers or anyone else who feels they can help Rosco--reach out to James here. We would love all of your support and help.

 

As of now someone has dropped off a tent and I will be bringing him other immediate relief supplies for the time being. If you would like to donate to Roscoe directly please feel free todo so. He is on the corner of Standford and 5th in Skid Row 90013.

 

We are nothing without the love of community and kindness of our neighbors.

 

Thank you.

 

-Suitcase Joe