Three years ago I did an article for the paper on being homeless in Juneau County. Like now, when I wrote it, winter was on the verge of blowing in and jobs were scarce. Also, like then, the homeless in my rural county were the "unseen."
In the larger metro area homeless are seen. They huddle in the alley and doorways - they gather at shelters and there is a visual reminder to others in their community that they exist along with them in their world.
Being homeless in a rural area creates a different picture. The homeless are often hidden. They double....triple up in homes, or apartments spending a few nights at a time at one to venture on to another a few nights or weeks later.
Deep in the woods or at isolated and forgotten farms and campgrounds they set up a make shift community.
Out of sight....out of mind.
I must admit that since I wrote that article and the time that had passed the further their plight was from my mind....until.......
Until a few weeks ago when I received a call from a friend who no longer lives in the area. A friend that was trying to help someone who did still live here....someone who was about to become homeless.
She called me to see what resources I knew of in the county that would offer assistance and shelter to the person she was trying to help. I pulled out that file that was inside of my head, and contacted a couple of the sources I had used for that article three years ago.
Now one would think that since our economy has worsened since I wrote that article there would still be those resources out there to offer assistance.....well....you would think that, huh?
While some were still in fact around, they have been stretched beyond capacity - and then some were no longer able to be found.
How can that be?
Out of sight.......out of mind?
Eventually my friend's friend was able to find help.....we think....
But what about the others out there....???
Winter is coming......unemployment has increased once again.....and foreclosures in my county have risen 4% over the last quarter......
Time for another article...but beyond that is time for action (hopefully it's not too late for some)
Friday I ventured out and contacted some people who've worked very hard on this issue here and who unfortunately ran up against political barriers in the process....
I asked them to point me to a place where I could find a visual...a picture...to go with the article I was going to right, and one that can be used to hopefully motivate others to action..
I was pointed in the direction of a free campground ...one that is literally out in the middle of nowhere...so that's where I headed and headed keeping in mind the warnings to "be careful" as there are some "unsavory" characters out there.
As I ventured into the area of my destination so many thoughts went through my head....
"If life stays on the track we're on now, this could be a reality for the kids and I...."
And it was about the time I was thinking that when I saw something that broke my heart...I found what I was looking for....the unseen.
Small compounds consisting of tents and old beat up trailers.....
Outside living areas with couches and chairs set up around fire pits....
Children's toys strewn about........
Not hardly a soul around...because...they were out working. Adding to the horror and tragedy of the picture is many of the homeless in rural America, work. They work jobs that provide just enough pay for gas, and maybe food.....not shelter.
To say it broke my heart to see all of this up close and personal would be an understatement.....
All I kept thinking was Wisconsin's cold and bitterly brutal winter is coming....the thought chilled me to the bone....
Today, Sunday, I will be heading back out to this makeshift community in hope I can find someone to speak with and interview for my article - A voice that will hopefully motivate others into action and a new group that is in the works of forming will be provided with the desires of many and provide a new resource in our community so that hopefully by Christmas every child in our community can wake up under a roof in a warm building.... and so they can have a warm smile when they see a gift under the tree rather than shivering away a brutal winter's day.
Wishful thinking?
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