There is a sad and rather alarming revelation I’m recognizing as I try to once again fend off homelessness here in Orlando.
The people that are supposed to help keep myself and many others off the street don’t have enough help.
When you scan the employment ads online, you’ll see plenty of openings for organizations dedicated to stopping homelessness online. They need help with everything from counseling to security of their facilities.
Heck, if I didn’t need their help right now, I’d be more than happy to take the job.
But the important fact here is that for every spot that remains vacant in the ranks of these important organizations, there are children who aren’t getting the help they need. There are veterans like myself, who can’t get off of the street (as you read these words our beds haven’t been reopened after the February fire).
We need these spots filled. We should aggressively be trying to push people towards these jobs and organizations, with the same kind of urgency that we push them towards other jobs in the community involving public safety and health care.
If we could get help to the people that need it, then you’ll watch the entire community rise. I promise you that.
I wonder if I would have been better off not realizing the missing help.
And you might think that’s a strange thing to say. I’ll explain.
The next time I’m waiting for help in a waiting room or in a line outside of a center I’ll understand this.
There isn’t anymore help coming because the help doesn’t exist yet.
Read how Orlando veterans have to hit rock bottom before we get real help avoiding homelessness.
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