In three days, I will be homeless.
This is not by choice (although many individuals before me have chosen this lifestyle and enjoyed the freedoms that it can offer, and if that is what works for them, kudos!) Personally, I enjoy having a permanent residence and the sense of stability and security that it gives me. I look forward to living in an actual house again. However, it is what it is – in three days, I will be homeless. There are no caveats here, no “maybe” or “unless” or “possibly I can come up with something before then”. Come Thursday, February 24, I will be making my way on the streets of Orange County as best I can, and I will be considered that most stigmatized of people – a homeless woman.
Initially, the idea of this terrified me. Here is a summary of the commentary that first ran through my head: This would never happen to me. I am not the kind of person that lives on the street. I have a life, I have friends, I have a dog, I have stable employment and residential history, references, education, skills, talents – I have worked hard all of my life to ensure stability for myself. How did this happen, HOW CAN I DO THIS?!?!?!?!
So, I cried for a few hours. I cried and I let the panic run its course. Then, I started planning.
I wonder how many other people like me are out there. People who had the stereotypical idea of a homeless man or woman, who believed that it would not, could not, happen to them. The truth is, we never know the whole story. We don’t know other people’s circumstances. You can speculate that the wino sitting outside the 7-11 begging for change is there because he’s too lazy or stupid or uneducated or selfish or mentally ill. But will we ever truly know? Look at me. I’ve worked hard for all of my adult life (and all of my adolescence), sought out a college education, worked for corporations and executives, built a life and a “secure” foundation to fall back upon. Yet, here I am. So, now what?
You may wonder how I got here. I will give you a summed-up, generic background on me:
I grew up in Orange County, CA. I got excellent grades and tested in top percentiles at school. I was considered a precocious student and skipped a grade. I taught myself to read at 2 years of age, and I read newspapers, novels, anything I could get my hands on. My family situation was never the best (I have a mentally ill parent who has rejected consistent diagnoses, medication, and advice from various friends, doctors and therapists. It all boils down to the fact that you can’t help someone who refuses to admit that they have a problem). I was subjected to various physical/mental/emotional abuse for the majority of my life, and sexual abuse from an estranged family member while a toddler. Despite all of this, I strove to rise above my personal situation. I created a mental image of who I wanted to be. I fought, and continue to fight, to live up to that image and resolve some of the less savory tendencies that I have, whether they are biological or learned from the examples that I witnessed growing up. I am proud of the progress that I have made and the life that I have built. I am proud of who I am, as well as who I am evolving into.
I started working “under the table” at 10, as I knew how to pass for older than I actually was. I got a legal work permit at 12 years old and went to work full-time in addition to schooling (how many 8th grade students do you know with two secular jobs after school lets out?) I supported my parent and younger sister from ages 12 – 18. At two points as a teenager, I was physically thrown out of the house while my parent was in the throes of a bipolar depressive episode. Both times, I was on my own for a couple of months, until said parent tracked me down through school, reported me as a runaway and sent police to retrieve me from the friends’ house where I was staying.
At 18 I left for good and got a roommate. Over the next several years, I enrolled myself into college and worked my way from entry-level, minimum-wage jobs into administrative and legal secretary positions, then onwards up to an Executive Assistant at a major corporation. For a long time, I always had at least two jobs, sometimes three. When I landed my Exec. Asst. gig, I breathed a sigh of relief. I had arrived, I could concentrate on only one job, I was earning the means to live on my own, in my own house, sans roommates. I rented a cute cottage towards the beach area and enjoyed the little life that I had built for myself. I got myself a dog. I dated. I loved. I worked. I had fun. Even with the occasional disappointment or blip that happens to everyone, life was good.
In July of 2008, my corporation had mass layoffs. The economy was beginning to crumble, and the auto industry was the first to be affected due to the skyrocketing prices of gas. Over 280 out of 500 employees were laid off, and I was among them. The company that I worked for was enormously kind and fair to each and every one of us, and compensated us well with a severance package, so I was OK for a while. I did some temp-to-hire work for an environmental engineering company for a few months, but they ended up having layoffs right before Christmas 2008 and again I was out of a job. Since then, I have been searching for employment without success. I am on extended unemployment benefits, but I prefer actual work. Salaries have been slashed by at least 20% (often more) so I have no hope of making what I used to, but that is to be expected – I’m in good company, at the moment it’s a status symbol simply to have a job at all.
In the past three months I have sent out several hundred resumés and applications, some as far away as Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Whereas it used to take me a matter of days to find employment, it is now rare for me to even receive calls for interviews – there are simply too many people out there responding to every advertisement. I do all that I can to make my application stand out, but when it comes down to it, hiring managers must sift through hundreds of resumés for every single position. My chances are severely handicapped at this point, but all I can do is forage on.
Against my better judgment, I moved out of my cottage and in with my bipolar parent at her suggestion. I figured that it would be relatively temporary and would cut my living costs dramatically while I continued to search for unemployment. For just over two months, somehow I made it work. Until two days ago. On a downward bipolar cycle, my parent attacked me and ordered me out of the house. I have been told to leave immediately, but police informed me that I could require a 30-day notice, which I waived as long as I had five days to find other arrangements.
Could I ask friends for help? Possibly. However, my closest friends have so many problems of their own right now – many of them are out of work, or live in small apartments, or have various other personal problems and I am certain that I would be a burden and an imposition on them. There is also the problem of my (very large) mastiff, who I would not dream of selfishly dragging with me into someone else’s home.
So, here I am.
Luckily for me (and my dog!), I recently inherited a truck and travel trailer. Around New Year’s Eve, my biological father committed suicide. I had not seen or had any form of contact with him in over 20 years. There was no suicide note, and it fell to me as the eldest child to divy up his assets (of which there were few) among his four surviving children (my sister and I, and two half-sisters from a second marriage, whom I had never met before). This successfully accomplished, I was left with the aforementioned truck and travel trailer, both of which have registration and insurance paid up through July.
If you are an individual in a similar situation (especially a single, vulnerable woman), I hope that by detailing my experiences in this blog, I may help you come up with tips and ideas for survival and safety for however long your present circumstances may last. Perhaps you didn’t choose for this to happen, but it is what it is. It is happening and you must stay strong and level-headed, so that you can make opportunities happen for yourself and dig yourself out of this hole.
Perhaps you’re not homeless, have never been homeless, and are currently not faced with the threat of becoming homeless. Maybe you are reading this because homelessness is a topic close to your heart, or maybe you just feel that you should cultivate some knowledge on survival skills, because with the economy the way it is right now, who knows what will happen in the future? In any event, I hope that my postings will give you something to think about and/or something to laugh about, for humor can be mined from even the most dire of circumstances.
I have just over $300 cash to my name, in addition to various personal belongings. I have three days to take my plans for the coming weeks/months and put them into motion. I have never been homeless before and I will not deny that I am afraid, but I plan to face this with humor and dignity. I can do this. I can do this without becoming a casualty or a stereotype. I can be homeless and still clean, nourished, confident, well-dressed, dry in the rain, and warm at night. I can make wise and preventive decisions that will help protect me and keep me safe in tenuous circumstances. I can and will continue to bring in revenue, interview, and locate permanent employment. I can be a tall woman with flaming red hair, a jowly and imposing Neapolitan mastiff, and a 30-foot RV in tow and still manage to remain inconspicuous and under the radar (…right?). I think that if a wussy chick like me can do all of this, then anybody can.
Sunday, 5. April 2009
I found your blog and I just wanted to write and say I hope that you do get your house. You are a very persistent girl. I was homeless years ago after having to leave a very bad roommate situation. I had not job either. i did eventually find a super good shelter in Santa Ana and found a good job,then recently lost it it Sept. And am now on extended benefits until sometime next year. I did find a part time job and went back to finish college. And i am supposed to get my housing voucher this summer. but the thought of the possibility of being homeless again is always on my mind. Please keep in touch with me if you can.
I also have a regular blog. The blog I entered here is a new one I started to write about my experience from the beginning from back in 2006.
Friday, 17. April 2009
Hey Christine!
Thanks so much for the compliment; I do tend to be persistent although it’s often hard and I feel sometimes like throwing my hands in the air and saying “screw it”, haha.
That said, I love your blog. You write very well and very openly and honestly about the difficult, traumatic, personal things. I kind of summed up all of mine in this initial blog post and tried to move on quickly to more neutral territory; although I suppose at some point I may want to delve more deeply there. It impresses me that you can.
Best of luck on the housing voucher, I hope so much that you don’t end up homeless again! Sounds like you worked really hard to reverse your circumstances. May I link to your blog? I think there is a lot of valuable information to be mined from it.
Thanks so much for following, and for sharing your experiences with the world!!!
~B~
Wednesday, 17. June 2009
I found your blog via Urlesque who wrote a piece on Matt’s post about your love story. I’m a sucker for a good love story.
Anyway, I haven’t ever been homeless but I very nearly almost was. Mid-last year I left a ’safe’ corporate job to go travelling and spend time on a yoga retreat. When I came back, the market had started to change and it took me a couple of months to find a job, around October last year.
In the interim, I stayed with my parents, but it really didn’t work out and if anything, further damaged my relationship with my parents. They thought I was stupid for leaving my job, even though mental health-wise, it was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
Once I could afford it, I found a little apartment for myself, which is probably the best place I’ve ever lived in. Then, in February this year, I was made redundant.
I did have a little money socked away, so I was able to support myself BUT as you mentioned, after sending out hundreds of resumes, very little was happening.
I literally (in the very correct use of the word) staved off total bankruptcy when I found a contract job a couple of weeks ago. I’m still waiting to be paid (end of next week), so things are tight. But I am relieved.
And I know I could have possibly ended up on the streets if it hadn’t been for this job. So I feel for you, I get where you’re coming from.
I love that you’re writing about your experiences, too. I’ll be checking out your back posts.
Tuesday, 11. August 2009
i first heard about you via a spot on our local tv station about a guy doing a video trip on homeless people. i myself have been homeless, but it was of my own making, i was an addict, methamphetamine was my drug of abuse. i have been clean and sober for going on 11years now, i look back on my homelessness and am thankful i survived.
your blogs rock! please keep sharing, maybe someone will come out of the woodwork and do something really good for you or someone you know.
thanks for listening.
jeff hammond
Tuesday, 11. August 2009
Hi Jeff!
Thank you for your very kind comment, and for sharing your story.
It really bothers me that so many see drug users or those who have made other mistakes that contributed to their homelessness, as somehow less worthy of assistance. While I do not condone drugs, I realize that these are the ones who need the most help, as they have the most challenges from the beginning. It’s so great to hear that you’ve been clean for so long and pulled yourself out of homelessness. I imagine that someday I will look back on all this and laugh. Or cry. Or maybe both
I am a little bit confused, though… was I mentioned on TV somewhere? If so, I hadn’t heard about it until now.
Thanks again, good to have you here! If the cause is near and dear to your heart, my favorite sites to recommend are HomelessTales, Stone Soup Station, and SLO Homelessness (all are listed in my sidebar).
Cheers,
~Bri
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Hi Bri -
I’m just a passer-by who came across your blog through another story that was written about your new internship. Congratulations for all your hard work and dedication. It sounds like you’ve opened the door for so many opportunities in your life, and that’s not easy to do. I suppose we’re sometimes afraid of what’s behind door #1, 2 and 3, but it’s faith in something better that keeps us going.
Bravo! I wish you all the best as you start a new chapter in life.
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Congratulations on your internship. You sound like a bright, determined, creative and resourceful person, and I predict that you’ll come out of this very well. I hope you will.
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
I found your blog through Mediabistro – congratulations on the Elle internship! I just wanted to say how much I can relate to your story. I grew up in a single parent dysfunctional home. I struggled my way to college and found myself on an employment track similar to yours. I made a great deal of progress over a few years, but due to the chronic illness of a relative whom I helped extensively because I was the only monetarily functional adult in my family, my personal finances were depleted severely. When I was already weakened from that, I got a huge blow when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast where I was living at the time. I ended up relocating to another city and living in a cargo van for six months after losing my job and health insurance when my employer was shut down by the hurricane. Besides a shelter, the van was the only choice I had because I have no functional relatives I could live with. I had no money for an apartment deposit because of the drain from the disaster and the family illness and I had to get a temp job fast in order to earn some. No one at my office, where I later landed a permanent job, has any inkling that the first few months I worked for them I was living in the van I drove to work every day. It wasn’t a completely horrible experience – I have never lived rent-free since I also left home at 18, and not having to pay out hundreds of dollars a month for shelter allowed me to stabilize relatively quickly. I took a different strategy than you – instead of parking in one spot, I moved from one quiet neighborhood to another, never spending more than one night in the same place. I was almost arrested twice when police banged on the side of the van, but thankfully they gave up and went away. I also had a terrifying incident one night when I was in my sleeping bag in the cargo hold and someone tried to break into the van by trying the locks on the rear door. I jumped into the cab and peeled out, never looking back. I baked in the hot summer weather and I knew the situation had to end when fall arrived and I lay shivering all night no matter how many blankets I piled up. Just in time, I was offered a permanent position, and gladly took it. The minute I had the signed offer letter, I found a good residence situation where I still am three years later. While I was living in the van, I would sometimes see people start to figure out my situation. I would usually quickly absent myself because their invariable reaction was to become judgmental, aggressive or frightened. There are a great many myths about homelessness in our culture, but I would wager that the vast majority of homeless people are either from a fragmented family or were hit with a disaster like illness, a job loss or a catastropic event like a hurricane or fire, or some combination of such things like I was. I got through it and so can you. I’m still in the same job, and am grateful that even in this recession it seems to be stable. I’m also making progress towards achieving personal goals that had to be put on hold for years in order to with all of this.
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
I have never been homeless. I have been loved deeply by both of my parents. I have a great job. Great house. Three dogs. Friends. Oddly though, I find myself somewhat envious of you. The fact that you are able to take all that has been thrown at you in your life and still continue to move forward is awe inspiring. I could only hope to have a grain of your courage and drive. I wish you much luck with your internship at Elle. Somehow, I don’t think you’ll need it.
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Good Luck, Bri. You sound like you have got what it takes, you just need a break. God Bless and keep a smile on your face and take good care of your pal.
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Hello Bri, (hope I got that right).
You have no idea how many times I thought I might end up homeless over my working life and even now that I have retired what saves me now is my pension and SS, something you can’t quite collect yet. But, you have the fortitude to keep plugging on. Back when I worried about it even though I had some education I decided to keep working by lowering my job expectations by looking for jobs as a clerk, receptionist, Wendys, or ,some other fast food estabilshment. Trouble with that today is those jobs were taken eons ago. Now you have lucked out and really will be working again. And I bet from now on you won’t ever be faced with homelessness again because you will make sure of that. Congrats and kudos to ya.
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Hello, Bri. I just stumled on your story on my AOL.
I am a literary agent who has repped women & minority screeb & tv writers since 2000. Listed in every industry directory.
I would like to option your story if possible. We have been championing female writers all these years and fought for better pay and rights for them, as well as minorities; especially during the diversity years of 2001/02-
We hare huge humanitarians and open doors of new and struggling writers.
The option is simple: 1 month option to pitch it to certain cable networks…this is it.
Please, email me directly at attica4elm@aol.com
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
You’re another “head in the clouds” media type. Anything for an angle to get sympathy or pitty. Liberal media types all seem to flock togther thinking the world agrees with them. It’s a good thing most of us read through the liberal slant in so many news stories and reports. The term journalist is used very loosely these days. Good luck to you in your career and remember, when your making big bucks and your government is taking it all in taxes, back to your hard luck days when things were simplier.
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Bri, your story is amazing! I’m so happy for you that things seem to be going in the right direction now! I wish for you, and your beautiful dog, that the hard times are behind you for good!
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
I found your blog through the article about you on aol. You are such a strong and resilient person. I hope your life works out exactly the way you want it too, I think you deserve it!
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Hi Bri, your story touched my heart and its good to hear that even when homeless we have hope. I was homeless when i was pregnant with my children. it was a long story but i made it and i got myself out. I wish i could offer you a place right now but im couch hopping myself. i do wish you the best of luck though *hugs*
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Bri, I read about your internship. Congratulations! You are truly an inspiration. Your line “You may be homeless, but you do not have to be a bum.” is something I have always said myself. Keep your head up and stand proud for the woman you are. Much success!
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Hi Bri:
I found your blog by surfing the net. You have an amazing story and you a a survivor! You are an incredible woman.
Is they anyway you could contact a church around where you live to ask for help, e.g., obtaining a permanent job, etc.
Just my two cents.
Cheryl
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Hello Bri:
You write very well. I find it difficult to believe that you are not a transplanted East-Coaster; specifically, New Yorker. (Is that where your internship is?) In any case, you are witty, and photogenic. Even your dog is unbelievably outstanding. I can definitely see talk shows and at least one book in your future…maybe even a visit with Oprah…!!!!
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
Hi Bri
It is so exciting that you received the Elle internship! You sound like you have what it takes to survive in this world!! Keep your blog going. I would like to know how this all works out. I will be praying for you!
Wednesday, 26. August 2009
I heard about your blog via the twitter love story and then today I found out about the internship. I too have been homeless and I can relate to some of what you have shared. I too thought because I went to college something like being homeless would never happen to me.
Thursday, 27. August 2009
::Shakes Head::
Only in America.
“I can be homeless and still clean, nourished, confident, well-dressed, dry in the rain, and warm at night. I can make wise and preventive decisions that will help protect me and keep me safe in tenuous circumstances. I can and will continue to bring in revenue, interview, and locate permanent employment. I can be a tall woman with flaming red hair, a jowly and imposing Neapolitan mastiff, and a 30-foot RV in tow and still manage to remain inconspicuous and under the radar”
Friday, 28. August 2009
Re: Attica Peece above – please read this before you respond to her.
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22562
Friday, 28. August 2009
Writer in Recovery: ABSOLUTEWRITE is a web of lies and bitter writers who cannot distinguish between screenwriters and authors.
Not nice when you don’t know a thing about who you’re referring to.
Bri. Hang in there. You’ve had your faith all along and you should keep your faith in your people and new opportunities.
Saturday, 29. August 2009
I just heard you got an internship w EJean of elle. Good. In future I hope you have better $ management. Why did you rent a house (even if it was a small cottage), that is a huge waste of $. Your mastiff dog also is but you’ve made it clear you wont give it up. Do you drink expensive $5 starbucks drinks? You need better $ management.
As it is August, the insurance/registration your Dad left you ran out. So what are you doing?
PS: Add that “email me with new comments” button that blogs have.
Good luck.
Sunday, 30. August 2009
Your line about not becoming a casualty or stereotype is really interesting/important to me. The thing people don’t think about when they’re not actually faced with a really dire situation is that you can’t just give up on yourself. You don’t have any choice but to keep trying. You still have to be you for the rest of your life. Other people can give up on you and try to pretend you never existed, but you keep on living and can’t just write yourself off as some kind of anecdote.
Monday, 31. August 2009
I hope you have a great 1st day in your new internship, I also hope you will be able to gain a address soon, nobody deserves to be without shelter, and you are right, it can happen to anybody at any time.
Monday, 31. August 2009
I found your story on our local news website here in Arizona. You are an inspiration to everyone. You have had bad things happen, yet you persevere. Good for you! I wish you the best of luck. I know you will go far. Good luck with your internship. You will be great!
Monday, 31. August 2009
Came across your blog after the article about your Elle internship popped up on my email homepage. I just wanted to say that I find your courage and spirit to be remarkable and inspiring. I am very fortunate to have never known any of the hardships that you have faced and have never thought of homelessness extending to people like you and me. It is eye opening, to say the least. But it is also a testament to the strength that we all have inside of ourselves, but which many of us, fortunately or perhaps unfortunately, never have to access. Best of luck to you with your internship! I look forward to reading about your success.
Tuesday, 1. September 2009
Bri, you are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with the world!
When anyone looks at your situation, their attitude should be, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”
I promise that I won’t be so pompous and assuming as to imagine that this is so – but maybe you went through this difficult experience in order to inspire and help others?
You have already made a huge difference in the lives of many, and I am so happy to hear about your good news. Traveling mercies on the journey…
Tuesday, 1. September 2009
Hi, I found your site through a Yahoo! news article, about you (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090831/ap_on_re_us/us_fea_lifestyles_homeless_blogger). I didn’t know this kind of blog existed. Your stories remind me of me and my children when their father abandoned us. We stayed in the streets and while I teach English to Koreans, my children hide from one of the unoccupied rooms until I’m done and off to lunch and we eat in that isolated room, when work is done, we go by the fire exit and then sleep on the benches near the building. When I tell people about my experience, they don’t believe me and think that I’m just a “trying hard” because of the fact that I go to the office with nice clothes and of course I don’t show anyone what we eat (of embarrassment!). Well, we didn’t stay long in the streets, there were nice people who helped us too. Blogs like this is a good means of encouragement to others.
Tuesday, 1. September 2009
Bri..
I found your blog via a story our local paper did (Pantagraph.com). I have been reading it forever… I couldnt imagine all you’ve gone through although I too was abused (mentally, physically, sexually and everyother way) by step dad and friends… I applaud you for not allowing yourself to panic and keep your head straight and getting a plan of action. You are a very articulate woman and I hope in the end all works out for you. Good Luck at Elle!!!
Love to you my dear…
Crystal
Illinois
Friday, 4. September 2009
Dear Bri,
You are an unbelievably strong, intelligent and articulate woman, and I have no doubt that your persistence will bring you the glowing success, home and happiness that you so clearly deserve.
I came across your blog after seeing something on the internet, and am both humbled and impressed by what i have read. I wish you all the accomplishment, success, health and happiness that you deserve, and know that your blog will be an inspiration for so many, whether or not they already have a home. For that, I thank you.
All the best with your internship, and for the bright future that I am sure holds great surprises for you.
Thursday, 10. September 2009
Hey Bri,
I saw your story on CNN and really liked your funny quirky attitude and outlook on life. I am in need of an assistant that can assist me with administrative duties as well as social networking for our company. We are a start up company and will be launching in October 2009. P/T salary starts at $15 per hour + commission (sorry I wish it was more but can be more after 60 days) and you can work off-site a couple of days a week. Please call me know if you’re interested (no pressure)and l give you more details about our company.
All the Best,
Renee Envall
VP, Brand Marketing
The Peek-A-Boo Boutique, An Anjen Company
14252 Culver Drive
Suite #A298
Irvine, CA 92604
T +01 949 707 3800
M +01 562 900 6600
F +01 949 559 5564
W http://www.thepeekaboo.com
E renee@anjencorp.com
Friday, 11. September 2009
I can relate with you, i came to this country legally to study, finished my masters in engineering with honors and was left in the dark after graduation without a job or job opportunites as companies kept shying away from offering me a sponsor visa.Long story short, lost apartment, used to hand wash my clothes at the university gym, ate from the dumpster behind burger king, picked up change dropped by customers (drive thru’s) from burger king, taco bell, KFC and Mc Donalds.Never lost faith and hung on, kept trying and finally made it.Looking back at the days, i m not sad or ashamed of them becoz i believe those days are what made me.all the best
Friday, 11. September 2009
As a blogger myself, and also a woman, I felt compelled to click on your story’s headline when it came across my cell phone’s browser via a CNN news feed. Wow.
You seem to be an amazing young woman with a good head on her shoulders and a wonderful, upbeat attitude for all you’ve been through in life (I read your “About Me” page). I like your down-to-earth style and your determination to beat the odds. You are an inspiration to me, and you are an inspiration to other women, I am sure.
I wish you the very best and feel certain that your positive attitude will take you far in life! You go, girl!
Friday, 11. September 2009
Good Evening Brianna,
I read about your story from: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/11/homeless.blogger/index.html.
I am very happy to hear that you got that internship, congratz I truly hope all goes well for you =). If you ever need any assistance with your professional resume, please don’t hestiate to ask. I was a Resume Specialist for the Employment Security Department in WA. I am always here to lend a helping hand.
Take care and continue to push forward.
David Kan
Friday, 11. September 2009
I had to write because I think you are truly an inspiration. I hear people complain all day long, I even do it myself. I see people’s status updates on Facebook that complain, complain, complain even when they have a warm home and a loving family, beach houses, pets, great kids etc…They have all the things that we think would equate to a great life but they are not happy. I don’t know if you are happy or not Bri but I know one thing, you will find happiness from the root that matters and that is yourself, not things. Your struggles will pay off and you will so appreciate your warm home someday when you have it which I hope is soon. Keep your chin up girl and your feet forward!!
Friday, 11. September 2009
Dear Brianna Karp, I am very sorry for what happen to you , Dear please be strong I pray to the Lord Jesus to help you found shelter or some help from some organization . Did you ever try Salvation Army organition they have shelter and food . Below hear is some address I get from google please do search get close location by you
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=Salvation&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS318US316&q=Salvation+army+in+LA+CA
Salvation Army – http://www.satruck.org
1940 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles – (213) 389-6774
The Salvation Army, Social Services – Los Angeles – Red Shield … – http://www.salvationarmy-socal.org
1518 W 11th St, Los Angeles – (213) 381-3747
Directions and more »
I hope you get some help soon
God Bless
Your’s sister in Jesus name
Friday, 11. September 2009
“I am not mentally ill.”
and so what if you were… we’d still love you!
Saturday, 12. September 2009
Hi – I just found your blog via CNN and had to join in on congratulating you for your persistence and strength. You are certainly an inspiration for so many, homeless or not. Best of luck!
Saturday, 12. September 2009
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I like that you recognize how vulnerable and yet capable women can be.
Sunday, 13. September 2009
I’m angered and saddened that you have had to deal with much as you’ve had to. Have you ever thought of leaving CA entirely and looking for work in another state? It appears that just like Americans 100 or 200 years ago moved all over the country looking for work, so too might people migrate once again in this age.
Sunday, 13. September 2009
Congratulations Bri, you’re an inspiration!
Sunday, 13. September 2009
I am so impressed and inspired by your story, and I think you have had your experiences in order to use them for a greater good. I spend a lot of time feeling financially desperate-but at least I have a roof over my head. I am aware that that could change in a heartbeat, though. If you are still living in your trailer in the winter consider coming to Phoenix-at least it’s warm here. (Oh and Dean, above (8/26) needs to learn to spell…).
Wednesday, 23. September 2009
I love reading your story – you are such a courageous human being. But one point I want to make is this: having a trailer to live in does not make you homeless. You have a trailer. I have a shopping cart and a bush to sleep under.
Tuesday, 1. December 2009
Hi Bri,
I just started reading your story and want to offer my congratulations and support of your work. I think blogging is the wave of the future, having also seen Julie and Julia, of which I think the story is not of the love of Julia Child, but of what the blog did for Julie. I just want to say that I don’t believe that living in a trailer is homelessness. I live in Fairfax County, Virginia, one of the wealthiest counties in the US that has a large homeless population. The reason I have learned firsthand about it is from my boyfriend of 2 and 1/2 years who has been homeless, alcoholic and in and out of jails for mostly DIPs for most of his adult life and he’s 47. If he had a trailer to live in, he would be in heaven. I’m glad that you didn’t have to live in the woods or behind buildings but he has, granted most of it from his own bad choices. I look forward to reading your blog and all the best to you and the doggy. Sincerely, Sandy
Monday, 7. December 2009
Thank you for your passionate Blog posting. The level of clarity and insight that you demonstrate in each one of your posts is amazing.
In my work as a physician and research/policy advocate, I spend an enormous amount of time reading about homelessness from a very academic and didactic perspective. Your insights and gleanings represent an important “balancing” element for my work – as your writing brings a heartfelt “story” to plight of people experiencing homelessness.
Thank you for your honesty and commitment to bringing greater understanding to the needs of people living in homelessness.
Monday, 25. January 2010
you are proud to manage your situation, good, but i am not agree for the term bum, that you use because means discrimination, for peole who work hard, in the street probably, but as an inmigrant don’t have the papers o facilities that borns here have it, so if you don’t have unemployment, and lost a secure job, but for lack of papers in actual times can’t get only mabe a minimum wage job, u are discriminated on street, the money u earn is for the rent, because always live in your house, but the food is expensive, so if you go to a soup kitchen, that is supoused for people in need or low income, you are stigmatized for the same people who serve the food, so they are not christian, only do this p/t job for their resume. In short, you always live in your house, get a job after a while, only get food sometimes, because u are alone in this country with relatives far away, no wife. I feel the racism, discrimination, hatred from people who never seen before, and guess you are from the minorities. I am secure of me, but stigmatization from people comes from ignorance, and institutional racism. GOD BLESS YOU.
Monday, 25. January 2010
Hi Jose,
I have often noted in my writings and in my interviews that the term “bum” applied to ANY homeless individual is a slur. “You do not have to be a bum” refers to “you do not have to accept this slur applied to you”.
I am a strong believer that the term “bum” should NEVER be applied to a homeless individual.
Thank you for writing!
~Bri
Tuesday, 26. January 2010
HI!
im from sweden and i just read your first text. its a really good story (sad though offcourse) but you should consider writing a book. I bet that someone would make a movie out of it too. this blog is such a wake up call. A lot of people take everything for granted and you just described how we can’t do that. It’s a shitty thing what happened to you and im very happy for you that you seem to be back on your feet again. obviously i haven’t read the whole blog, just this piece, but you give me alot of inspiration and i just wanted you to know that.
Xx
Tuesday, 26. January 2010
Hi Bintou,
You’re very sweet, thank you for your kind words. I actually did sign a book deal recently. I believe it’s set to be published sometime next year.
Thank you again!
~Bri
Sunday, 7. February 2010
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I thought I might be all alone in this mess. I was a manager at a respected restaurant in SF for 3 years. When on a Thursday last January, I went to work in uniform, and nobody was there. No check. No “Thanks for all your hard work”. I’ve been struggling on unemployment for a year now. Slowly watching my life disappear. I lived in a 2 bedroom loft in SOMA a year ago. Then shared a studio with a roommate. Then had to put all my stuff into storage, and started jumping from hotel to hotel, couch hopping during the gaps. So, I came home to visit my bipolar Mom for Christmas and got stuck here because EDD, or the Post Office lost my continued claim form, again… I’m about to go bananas. My storage unit with all my worldly belonging is now 2 months behind and probably on the auction block. My phone got shut off 2 days ago. Two days before I left SF, I was denied a room at a hotel after being closely examined and questioned by the owner/manager, even though I had the cash to pay. The day my flight left, I missed the plane, and had my mother pay for a hotel room online. When I got there, I didn’t have the money for the incidental fee, so they wouldn’t give me a room, nor would they refund the money. Oh and referred to me to another guest as being “overextened”, and “poverty level”. That’s when I started looking at myself as a “Bum”, but you’ve changed that for me. You gave us a voice. Thank you so much.