Uptown's homeless need a hand, not a hand out

As I was driving home tonight, all I could think of was getting some much needed sleep. I was lucky enough to find a parking spot a few blocks from my place, grabbed my bag, and headed toward my building. However, instead of walking strait from my car, to my place, and right into my warm bed, I was stopped by a man named Robert. He at first startled me. He seemed to be waiting in the shadows for me as I turned the corner onto Bittersweet. Being approached by a complete stranger at 3:00 a.m. made me flip back into work mode, something that Robert sensed immediately. I told him that he walked up to the wrong person if he was looking for some quick cash.... "No!" he said. "I just wanted to ask you a question." I told him strait off that he cannot be walking up to people that late at night, even if he was "a nice guy" looking to simply ask a few questions. He just didn't seem to understand the urgency of my words, so I repeated myself a few times to make it clear.

I came to find out that Robert had been homeless for six months, mostly living in shelters and on park benches. It unfortunately isn't that uncommon of a story in our community. Robert and I talked for a while. We talked about everything from his elderly grandmother in Wisconsin, to his childhood at 59th and Justine, even getting to his strong faith in God. I asked Robert what he wanted from me, expecting him to simply ask for some spare change. Robert replied, "I just want my life to be a little easier. I know that most people see me as some homeless criminal, but all that I really want is to get back to work and back to being somebody." I told him that he was somebody, even if he sometimes didn't believe it. Robert went on to tell me that he doesn't need a hand out, just a hand getting back on track. I don't think that I could have said it better myself Robert. Our elected officials should be working to fix the perils of homelessness through education and job development, rather than misappropriated spending and a bunch of excuses. I gave Robert my word that I would do everything in my power to see that his request becomes a reality and that every person in our community gets a voice, no matter who they are. Robert then said goodnight and headed off into the night. These are the kind of experiences that tell me I know that I am doing the right thing seeking public office. I know that I will make a difference.