My name is Jonnie Young and I have been a Beaches resident for the last 17 years.  I am here to speak to you tonight about the changing face of the homeless. 

My credentials are not what you might expect.  I am not your typical expert.  I hold no degrees in psychology or sociology.  I am not a social worker or activist.  I have never served on a police force or economic task force.  And I do not work at the Sulzbacher Center or the City Rescue Mission.  Yet my expertise is undeniable.  You see, ladies and gentlemen, the face of the homeless is changing, and the face looks like mine.  Women with children are now the fastest growing segment of our homeless population. 

What comes to mind when you hear that word – HOMELESS?  Drug addict, bum, hobo? Vagrant, crazy, wanderer?  What else do you associate with that eight letter word – HOMELESS? 

The fact is, most of the words that you would typically associate with homelessness do not apply to me or to many others.  I am living, breathing proof that the face of the homeless is changing.  And although I am not an expert as to the cause, I can raise your awareness as to some contributing factors.  They might include:   

• Death of a spouse, or the end of a relationship
• Rapid economic growth or changes
• Extreme or sudden illness of a spouse or family member
• Loss of a job or income
• Loss of a home through eviction or foreclosure 

And even though I am not an expert at why people become homeless, I am an expert at being one.  And as ridiculous as it might sound, for a homeless person, I was pretty resourceful. 

You see, I had the fortune to be knowledgeable about the resources available to the homeless population.  Through my church family and friends, I was put in touch with the right people and agencies.  I also had resources that many homeless do not.  I have a full-time job with benefits.  I have insurance for doctors and a good therapist.  I have a van that is paid for and money in the bank. 

The support and networking capabilities of a loving church family was a great strength and resource to me.  Through their help and advice, I contacted James Stackhouse of The Helping Hands Ministry in Atlantic Beach.  And even though I contacted him and applied for shelter just days after becoming homeless, it took 8 weeks for transitional housing through Project Genesis to become available to me. 

Eight weeks is a long time to be without a home.  Trying to work full time, parenting three children and working out the details of finding a home all proved to be overwhelming.  Keep in mind some of the problems we encountered as a displaced family: 

• Most of the children’s transportation now fell on my shoulders.  This included getting the children to and from school if we weren’t staying in the same school district. 
• One of my children was only 8 months old when we became homeless.  Imagine the problems associated with childcare, visitation, and equipment for babies.  Moving five times in eight weeks was not conducive to staying organized. 
• The increased stress was not easy on any of us.  Our immune systems were compromised and we spent a lot of time sick.  My baby was very sick for two weeks, adding the stress of lab testing and numerous visits to the pediatrician. 
• Banking, paying bills and other communications became an obstacle without the convenience of Internet access. 
• As wonderful as it was to have supportive friends and family, it was difficult living in others homes for 8 weeks.  Were my kids a nuisance?  Did we drink too much milk or make messes?  Did we create a burden for people trying to help?  We always felt as if we did.   
• In addition to all of this, imagine living out of your van, suitcases, and boxes for 8 weeks.  Imagine your belongings being scattered across storage units, garages, and other’s homes. 

  The absolute worst part was having no place to call our own.  When I picked up the kids after work, we weren’t going home.  We were going to Molly’s house or to Aunt Dawn’s.  No place to just be.  We were always walking on eggshells. 

  No comforts of home to surround yourself with.  You might not have your favorite coffee mug or bubble bath or blankie.  Maybe you don’t have the comfort of just vegging out with your favorite TV show. 

  I know that some of these things sound trivial.  But when you put them together with our circumstances, it all adds up to so much.  There is comfort to be found in even the small things that we surround ourselves with on a daily basis.  

  We now feel so blessed to be in a home.  Helping Hands has provided us with transitional housing while we wait for approval through Beaches Habitat for a mortgage. 

  We have been blessed with gifts of money, places to stay and lots of prayer.  Our loving God has paved the way for us.  My children are making steady improvements in school – pulling up bad grades and making up missed assignments.  When kids don’t have a home, it’s hard for them to focus on class work. 

  My story is not over.  Some days are still like part of a nightmare that I just can’t wake up from.  And yet I am more fortunate than most.  We never had to sleep in our van, and we never had to go to a shelter.  We never went without food or some sort of bed, somewhere.  We have money for doctors, and counseling, which we still need, even on the good days.  Most of the time, I feel the worst is over.  My grief over the loss of an 8 – year relationship is just beginning, as well as the ensuing legal problems.  That part has just begun. 

  I am fortunate to have had the support of an incredible church family and staff.  We have been uplifted by their gifts, their friendship and their prayers.  Where would I have been without them and their assistance?  Where would my family be now?  Where do displaced families find themselves without the benefit of good people, good agencies, and their resources?

  I have brought you my story in the hope that in sharing my sadness, your hearts would be filled with compassion turned into action.  I hold on to the promise that good people will always be there to help provide a hand-up, not a handout.

  I’d like to thank you for your listening ears and for your willing hearts.  And all thanks and glory to God, with whom all things are possible.  I’d like to leave you with a promise that I am holding on to.

  From the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 29, verses 11-14.  Hear the word of God:

  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.

   May the Lord continue to bless you, as well as the hopes and dreams of a Helping Hands Village.

   Thank you!