The Perspective

The Perspective is a newspaper written by the homeless population of Jackson, MS. The following articles were written by guests of Grace Place at Galloway UMC. For more information about the paper, or to make a contribution, email theperspectivenews@gmail.com.

The Opportunity Center, now closed, in downtown Jackson.

Just a Thought

By: Charlotte

Approximately 1 month ago, on April 2, 2010, the Opportunity Center closed its doors, not to reopen anytime.  Although there had been some warning at its impending closure, it was still a shock to those of us who were homeless on the streets of Jackson.

The Opportunity Center offered many invaluable services to the homeless of Jackson.  I’ll attempt to name them but not necessarily in the order of importance, but please don’t hold it against me if I miss some of the services they offered.

Most of us take for granted the ability to take a shower.  To the homeless it is a true blessing to be able to do so.  Often homeless people have to take a “wash-up” wherever they can while praying they won’t be bothered by the authorities.  The Opportunity Center allowed the homeless to have a hot shower every morning from 6-9:30.  In addition they provided soap, shampoo, and razors.  It allowed the people to keep their dignity.

It also had 3 washers and 3 dryers which allowed the homeless to hold on to the few possessions they owned and not have to beg for clothes.  The first time I did my laundry there, I was concerned because I had no money for detergent but I was relieved they provided the laundry detergent also.

Another important benefit was the mail service.  The homeless with no way to have mail deliveries were able to use 845 Amite Street address as their own.  It was truly a blessing to be able to get mail there.  Some of the people on disability were able to have their checks mailed there others were able to receive government correspondence regarding food stamps regarding food stamps, disability and/or unemployment and still others were able to maintain contact with potential employers or their family.  Without this service the homeless becomes rather non-existent and their situation goes from bad to worse.

I who had no phone number where they could be reached were could use the Opportunity Center’s number as their own and make and receive phone calls there.  Moreover they could even get messages from employers and family I know before I become homeless I took all of these things for granted.  Now I am able to treat all of these things as a blessing.  Although homelessness is probably harder than many of you can imagine, it did bring me closure to God-after all, Jesus was homeless.

Many people do not know that Jackson’s homeless population was suffering from an epidemic of the potentially life threatening disease Tuberculosis.  The Opportunity Center allowed (along with the health department) everyone to be tested and treated there without cost to them.  If found contractions with the virus they were quarantined to a motel to stop further spread of the disease.

I have not yet mentioned the additional services offered there.  Ms. Freeman, of the Jackson Housing Authority, helped  people, provided they received a check or had  verifiable steady income, find affordable housing and assisted wide (1 month rent) depending upon circumstances.

Additionally, Hallie of the HIS foundation helped people acquire food stamps and get their disability started.  She also helped people find jokes they were switched for.  She actually took people to the food stamp office and waited while they handle their business.  She then returned them to the Opportunity Center.

Moreover, she had an assistant who did people’s resumes so that they could better be prepared for job interviews.  The only problem was there wasn’t enough hours in the day for Hallie to do all the work she was trying to do.

The Opportunity Center also had computers available for people to search for jobs on-line.  In addition there was someone always available to help those people, not families with computers, set up email addresses so that they may receive electronic correspondence.

I have probably forgotten countless services the Opportunity Center offered the homeless but I hope I was able to recount just a few of them.

The opportunity center was solely supported by donations it or stewpot received from the community.  If only all the business community knew what they were able to provide before some of them withdrew funding.  Perhaps the Opportunity Center would still exist.  We cannot lose faith that the opportunity center will reopen because it is only through the grace of God it ever existed.

All of this was just a thought.  God bless you all.

This is the cover of the pilot issue of The Perspective, to be in print June 2010.

What It’s Like

By Broderick

My name is Broderick. I’m 40 years old and I am in Jackson native.  I am homeless.  I am not a drug addict or an alcoholic. I am not homeless because I mismanaged my money, lost a job, or have a disability. I am homeless because of a series of misfortunate events that have taken place over the last three years.

                  I was recently released from prison in Florida. Because of poor representation, I was forced to accept probation under terms that were totally capricious and unfair. After nine months my probation was erroneously violated and I was sent to prison for two years. During this time my mother and grandmother died and my father became disabled as a result of four strokes. My wife of ten years divorced me for another man with no explanation. In an unfair trial the judge awarded my wife the house, the car, and all of my property. She filed papers on me to keep me from coming to the house, so I have been unable to reconcile with her. My grand kids have forgotten who I am, and my wife has turned my kids against me.

                  It is like I never had a family. It’s like I never had anything. Even though God knows I have been for them. So I am going to through a lot of emotion and mental stress. I feel completely alone and misunderstood. But even Jesus when healing the blind the crippled and sick seeing their affections would ask “What would you have me to do for you?” He didn’t assume that he knew what they needed- even though he did”.

                  At first sight I look very healthy and able to work any job. But I am afflicted with several health issues that will not allow me to do all kinds of work, especially the work I am accustom to doing. I believe just off experience and tenacity I could get a job. I need a job that is more mental than physical, with little stress and meaningful potential and an understanding employer.

                  Because I cannot find a job I have been denied acceptance to three transitional houses and three alcohol rehabs and am forced to go from shelter to shelter and from friends’ homes to the streets.

                  “They all say you must get a job any job!
                  They say you have to do something. I tell them I cant just sit and wait for someone to give you something. I tell them that I do do something. I sit all day working on my legal cases. I tell them that I have only worked two days, not for the lack of trying, since I have been out. And I didn’t get paid for that work, but God has provided me with everything that I need. But the thing I really need I have been given freely. I have had to start all over again to many times from this position and I am not interested in doing it again.

The say “Well you have crawl before you can walk”

                  And I say why crawl when you know how to walk? Why walk when you already know how to run? What I need is for someone to show me how to run faster and longer. Besides every time I go about making plans to better my situation something always goes wrong or it does not last long. So why try? It is as if God has cursed me or something or God has allowed the devil to curse me like Job. Whichever you perceive.                  

                  But I had come to an epiphany that god just will not allow me to be successful on my only strength. In my life I have tried all that I known I have tried doing the right thing and I have tried doing things the wrong way, but nothing has worked for me.  So I have decided to live by faith. I have decided to let go and let God be in control. To be completely and totally dependent on him.

                  I tell them that Jesus never worked for money during his ministry. In fact, in Luke 12:22-31. “Therefore I say unto you take no thought for your life what shall eat; neither for the body what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat and the body is more than …….But rather seek ye the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. People think because of the thing I say that I am lazy and don’t want to work. Maybe they cannot because they don’t know me.

                  But that’s alright I know everything works according to God’s plan. And I have heard priests say that sometimes when we have tough times to go through, it is because he is trying to fashion us into the men and women he wants us to be. Maybe I need to go back to school. I believe that God is leading me back to school to study law. What I need is someone to show me how to run longer and faster who would encourage and support me.

                  Which is what lead me to write this article. Hypocrites. So many people think that they are doing God’s work but allow people like me to slip through the cracks. So many religious folks tell you that you must have faith, while discouraging my dreams. So many people tell me that I need to establish a relationship with God. But they don’t believe me when I tell them what God has told me. They think people who are evangelicals and give their testimony about their faith walk, but can’t recognize the walk of faith that I am engaged on. So many preachers say you must sew a seed of giving so you can reap a reward of blessing. But as for me I can’t get anything else out of them other than food and clothes.

Street art on State Street in downtown Jackson.