Homelessness By Peace Amadi - Miss Nigeria in America 2007

He stood there...

...on the corner of Adams and Crenshaw – one of the busiest intersections in South Los Angeles – and still nobody saw him. I don’t know why I did. He stood there calm, still, steady… like…like a Los Angeles prop. He had no sign, no cart, no special tricks, or any other bells or whistles. Just a small white cup. A small white cup which he held amazingly still…As if he knew no amount of shaking or juggling would penetrate the passerby. He was probably right.

Maybe it was his eyes. Maybe it was his big burly arms and round tummy. Maybe it was the way the sunlight pierced through his white cup. All I know is that I couldn't take my eyes off of him. About another half-a-mile down the street, I convinced my friend to turn around. I wanted to talk to him. My friend and I took Jerome into a nearby McDonald’s and bought him everything he wanted...a “Quarter Pounder”. We convinced him we could afford more. He asked for some fries.

It’s funny how one person’s story could change you. How since then, I’ve prayed for Jerome almost every time I eat. How since then I’ve frequented the famous cross-section to see who else is there. How since then, I’ve found it incredibly difficult to just walk on by. Walk on by… We’re so good at that aren’t we? It can be easier not to care. Or better yet, to blame. “He’s homeless because he’s on drugs” “She’s homeless because she’s on crack.” “He’s lazy,” “He’s a drop-out,” “He’ll spend the money on booze” But have you ever sat down and listened to a homeless person’s story? While some of these things may be the case, the truth is something got them there.

Job loss, home loss, abandonment, living in the streets, rejection, loneliness, and the resulting substance abuse and addiction…Jerome had been through it all. And trying to get his life back was no easy task. I mean, who wants to hire a homeless, recovering drug-addict? All the desire in the world, yet no opportunity. His story, devastating as it was, was typical. It was a story shared by millions of people nation-wide. It was a story of homelessness in America.

The Homeless in America

Jerome is one of 3.5 million homeless persons in the U.S. And on any given night, he joins 750,000 other people who are forced to live in the streets or share very close quarters with each other in temporary, emergency shelters. An alarming 50% of these people are families with children. A large majority of these families have children under the age of 6. 71% of homeless people live in central cities with Los Angeles, New York City, Detroit, and Houston leading the ranks. And while 46% of homeless people report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, another 22% have serious mental illnesses and/or disabilities. Most have little to no access to medical health care or mental health services.

Jerome is not alone. But this time it is not a good thing. Thankfully, there are people doing something about it.

People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) Homeless Shelter

The PATH Homeless Shelter has set a national standard for responding to the needs of homeless people . It’s a transitional housing facility that is also home to the PATHMall, where homeless people can literally “shop” for services including health care, substance abuse counseling, a job center, mental health services, legal advocacy, and even a beauty salon! I love, love, love, the fact that PATH is not only providing homeless people with a variety of services to help them get back on their feet, they are also equipping them with the tools to regain a sense of self-sufficiency and finally break the cycle of homelessness in their lives.
PathMALL - the one-stop shop. Here, homeless people can literally “shop” for services including health care, substance abuse counseling, a job center, mental health services, legal advocacy, and even a beauty salon.

For more information about PATH, please log on to www.epath.org

MNIA, Inc. will continue to support PATH in achieving their mission which is "To break the cycle of homelessness by empowering homeless people with the tools for self-sufficiency." Having raised over $1000.00 to cook, serve and give love to PATH residents, MNIA, Inc. continues to serve fellow non-profits in the community by teaching Nigerian women and women in general on the positive effects of being of service to the communities that we all serve.

For more information on the programs that MNIA and the current Miss Nigeria in America 2007 is involved with, please log on to www.missnigeriainamerica.org

From the desk of:
Peace Amadi - Miss Nigeria in America 2007 and MNIA, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA