» PART 2
By Mary O’KEEFE

Last week CV Weekly introduced a series on homelessness where we learned about “Jason” and his path to homelessness. This week, we learn of his attempts to navigate a system that is not easily defined.

Over the next few months, Jason lived a constant roller coaster of his family inviting him back into their home then kicking him out. Each time he would discover something else that had been done on his behalf but without his knowledge. He was finally able to get the conservatorship of his affairs removed from his family, but had a difficult time getting all of his mail transferred; any correspondence concerning his finances would go to his family’s address and not to him.

Jason said he understands how his story may seem too complicated to be true and that he learned there are a lot of people with similar stories who find themselves homeless. At times he doesn’t want to share his story, even with organizations that might help him, because of the stereotypical homeless “crazy stories.” But for him this has been a nightmare that seems to get worse each day.

“I am in a tough situation and now I just wonder how I ended up in this boat,” he said.

Many people think this could not happen to them but with so many stories reported of the elderly losing everything to someone who befriended, then cheated, them, or someone taking advantage of another in a desperate situation, Jason warns it could happen – even when you think you are prepared for anything.

“I have had such a hard time finding an attorney to help. There are attorneys for employment, attorneys for benefits, attorneys for everything,” he said. “I had been denied the right to appeal a decision regarding my benefits because I didn’t respond to mail I didn’t receive. I need an attorney for that.”

Recently he found some services that he hopes will help him. He added he has been told there is a way out of homelessness, but working through the system is very difficult.

“I have been totally unable to find [one] direction that will work with everything I need,” he said.

For now he has his vehicle that he lives in and he stays out of everyone’s way so as not to call too much attention to himself.

“If people get an inkling I am homeless, there is definitely discrimination. I do everything I can to not look dirty, to keep my clothes clean,” he said.

He recalled sitting at a local fast food restaurant. He bought a cup of coffee and when he went for a refill, which was given to customers in front of him, the worker took his cup and threw it away. “She said I had to buy another cup of coffee, even though I had just bought a cup a couple of minutes ago and there were refills. She knew I was homeless,” he said.

But he doesn’t argue if someone treats him unfairly and if police approach him he is respectful and leaves the premises, even if not asked to do so.

“Once you are arrested and you get into the system, it is impossible to get out,” he said. “You know, I worked hard for a lot of years to get ahead. I put myself through college and worked for 30 years … and now all those credentials are worthless.”

Jason added the accident left him with several physical problems. His medical conditions include recovering from a concussion, two broken ankles, a broken wrist and back injuries. It is impossible for him to return to his old job.

And with all the struggles of trying to get out from under the weight of homelessness, there is the battle to remain optimistic and to keep trying.

“It is shameful and degrading [being homeless],” he said. “I bounce back and forth from [places where he parks his car]. I am not a drug addict; I didn’t end up in jail. At the end of the day, the only thing I can cling to is that I am a victim.”

He said he feels he is a victim of a family that he didn’t exactly trust but never thought would hurt him like this, a victim of a car accident and now a victim of a system that is difficult to navigate.

He has been able to reconnect with another family member who he can trust, one who was also a victim of the main family. Through this member, he is able to get some support in finding the right services for his situation.

“At the end of the day, I have my faith in God and that everything will work out. This will just be another experience I have gotten over,” he said.

Next week, CVW will talk to Jason’s family member who is trying to help and look at what services are available for those who are homeless or being threatened with homelessness. CVW will also look into Prop H that was recently passed by voters to help individuals find a positive path out of homelessness.

  Mary Okeefe