Sleep Out 120

Day 2.

Lindsay

“Another day down! Starting to feel tired and drained now. Yesterday was another cold day. I am finding the cold to be the hardest part about staying out.

Food is not an issue, family and friends are dropping off food all of the time. It’s a great feeling to be able to give some of this food to the guys on the street. At the same time, it’s sad to see those people not getting fed.

Yesterday was the first time I went to StreetReach. Ashley and I went there, had some juice and sat down for a few minutes. At first I felt out of place because I appeared to be someone I wasn’t. Everyone seemed to keep to themselves. I reconized a lot of faces from earlier on the street. I had no idea these guys were homeless or needed this kind of support. This was eye-opening for me, because sometimes I assume everyone can provide for themselves, and everyone is like me. However, everyone has a story and you never know what kind of environment people are living in.

Sorry if this makes no sense… I’m feeling really tired right now that I cannot even make much sense myself. I am not use to this being, being outside all day. We have been doing lots of walking and I guess all this fresh air is moving me tired. It’s only the morning of day 3 today, and I’m feeling this way. I’m really excited for the mid-week event tonight. I can’t wait to see my family and friends again!”

Jody-Beth

“We got so many food donations the second day; it was awesome to see the support but we ended up giving a lot of it to those who were in much, much greater need than we were.

I think we were shocked by the generosity but, disheartened that not everyone receives the same support. A lot of people who donated were family and friends, which conveyed another message that a sleep out team member noticed: most people you see in the streets have NO support. They have no family or friends to care where they are and if they’re hungry or cold.

We spoke to a lot of people downtown yesterday, and I heard a lot of horrible stories I would have never of heard if I hadn’t taken the time to stop and listen.

What is obvious is the abuse and rejection that many of them have faced. I also think it’s important to add that these stories weren’t to receive pity money or ‘scams’, as a few people would assume. As a group we had no money to give, nothing to show support other than an ear and an open mind. Overall, I was cold, tired and exhausted, but it was a good day.”

Michael

“Yesterday was another great day, met some interesting people. However, the night was a little chilly but still managed to get a good nights’ sleep. The community has been great in donating money and incredible in food donations.

We have been given a great deal of food which we have been able to share with the people on the street who really need it. We also went to StreetReach and visited with some great people.

I also noticed yesterday, that there are people that spend all day on the street and don’t eat a scrap of food and are still able to remain outgoing and positive. There are people out there with a great deal of resilience that we could all learn a thing or two from.”

Kathyrn

“Yesterday was a good day; we hung out at Scotia Centre for most of it.

Those most memorable moment for me was when some youth I have the privilege to work with stopped by with sandwiches. It was emotional for me, especially when one youth gave up her allowance to us. The experience lifted me up, and inspired the whole group. I am so thankful.

We had a few food donations from different family and friends. We had so much that we gave some away. At one point we gave a baguette to one youth who was pan handling, and about an hour later he received a sub sandwich from another lady. The youth paid-it-forward by giving the baguette to the next guy he saw that needed it. It was really inspiring to see a homeless youth who needed food pay the kindness forward. The same individual came over and donated his pennies later on too.

We heard a few stories from different individuals on the streets as well.

I developed a rash under my arms, pretty sure it is from my backpack. I also have a couple blisters on my feet from walking so much. I am thankful for the few Band-Aids.

Really looking forward to the mid-week event, it should be a good time. It is at 7 p.m. at Corpus Christi tonight, come if you can!”

Kayla

“It’s very different to sit on the streets and ‘pose’ as someone homeless when I’m actually not. You; I don’t personally think can get the real feel of the stigma attached to homelessness. We as Sleep Out participants get the people stopping; we get the donations and the encouragement.

What about the homeless? Who gives them the encouragement and the support?

If you’re not comfortable giving money, then ask if they would like a food donation. Even a ‘hello’ or ‘how are you?’ would make a difference. Put yourself in their shoes, how would you feel?

Last night I was so cold and got very little sleep. Today, I’m not feeling so great. My body hurts and I’d really like a wash. Even a face cloth would make the world of a difference.

Today is the mid-week event, and I cannot wait – Something to get us through the rest of the week!”

Blair

“I find it interesting how we are so quick to judge. I think we all automatically judge people, but what’s important is to be aware of that judgment. For instance, I have tried to offer support to an older man for the past three years. He has been resistant to my help and finds himself panhandling money on the streets for his alcohol addiction. I have offered him food, resources, services, and love as he continued to just ask for money. Yesterday he opened up randomly and expressed his treatment in the foster-care system. He said ‘you don’t know what cold is… in foster care they’d put me in the shed with a mattress, a pillow and a blanket.’ This was just the tip of the iceberg for his story.

Don’t we all have a story to tell.”

Robyn

“Yesterday we spent all day on the streets. It was great to see how much support the campaign is getting. Yesterday was rough due to not sleeping the first night. You just get drained in every way. Hearing the stories of the people who actually live on the streets just plays on your mind. It was great when we got food and got to share it with some of the guys that we have met. Knowing we gave even a little bit back to them is an amazing feeling; the appreciation on their face even when we just stop to talk to them. It’s great to see them support us as well. We had one of the guys hang out with us most of the day yesterday. Today will hopefully be a good day, all of us slept pretty well last night, so hopefully that means high spirits and energy for today”

Ashley

“Yesterday morning was emotional. The first hour after waking up I needed alone time. After being ignored all morning and not having any sleep, I’d lost motivation.

So, I sat on the street down and spoke to the men on the streets. I sat and heard their stories, and my motivation for this Cause heightened. Many different people from many different places, but all facing the same challenge – housing.

How do you obtain education, hold down a job, be what your society constitutes ‘productive’, without a home? – Without treatment for mental illnesses, addictions, trauma, and victims of violence and offenders.

I hope we inspire change.

I hope we make a difference to someone.

I hope we dismantle ignorance.

I hope we break down stigmas.”

Nikita (24-hour participant)

“This year is my second year taking part in Sleep Out 120, and I was only happy to be part of this awesome Cause once again.  

As I got out of the car to meet the group I was not too nervous as I was only doing it for one night. However, this is not the way it is to truly being homeless. I was lucky to be doing this in a group.

The loneliness these people must feel living on the street alone and how long the time goes… no wonder there is so much mental illness. But what comes first the homelessness or the mental illness is a conversation that myself and Kimberley had as we were walking. This conversation really got me thinking.

What comes first, the homelessness or the mental illness?

Kimberley Yetman Dawson (NLHHN) 24-hour participant

The things we are conditioned to do:

-          Reach in your pocket and pull out money to buy a coffee

-          Not talk to people or even look at them because we are busy on our BlackBerrys

-          Have access to brush, moisturizer deodorant, lip balm or dental floss

I found these things difficult; I didn’t know I was so conditioned.

The kindest of people on the street was astonishing – people who are homeless, service providers, and family, friends, strangers and business owners, the women at Starbucks who welcomed us with coffee.

I feel so sorry for people who have lost connection with their family and friend. I was so sad n0tt being able to say goodnight to my loved ones. For those on the streets that feels unloved, unwanted and uncared for – my heartaches.

I had Mary Brown’s taters for the first time, and they were pretty freaking delicious. The Sleep Out crew thought I was pretty funny.

You have no idea how many smells there are during the day – food, cooking, body odor, perfume.

This experience has made me want to change my behaviour. I need to put my blackberry down more and talk to people and recognize what’s going on around me and appreciate all that life has to offer.

Thank you Sleep Out 120 family!”