Invisible No More

Most of us have seen, either in real life or in media portrayals, the stereotypical homeless man on the corner of Main Street, USA. You recognize him by his disheveled, dirty appearance, his unkempt hair and beard, his dingy clothing. There may be a impenitently unhidden brown-bagged bottle laying on the ground nearby as he holds a cleverly crafted (sometimes down-right poetic) cardboard sign asking for whatever you can spare.

We have heard stories of men holding "Will work for food" signs, who upon being offered food in exchange for honest work, decline to actually do anything and instead ask for a handout. We have also seen hidden video exposes that uncover presumably homeless beggars profiting off the kindness of others before walking down the block, getting into their cars and driving home after a long day of hustling sympathetic passersby. Most of us know that not all homeless individuals fit these molds, but our subconscious minds cannot let go of those images, and negative public opinions are formed.  Overcoming these stereotypes can feel like an insurmountable obstacle to the largest group of homeless persons, whom I refer to as the Invisible Homeless.
  
I live in Phoenix, AZ where the winters are mild and the weather feels more like spring than fall during the kick-off to the holiday season. It doesn't snow here, and the annual rainfall is below what most states get in any given season. Except for the summer months when the temperatures are in the triple digits daily,  the climate here is welcoming to those who enjoy being outdoors. It is also better for those who have no choice.

  
If you were to walk around in the downtown area on any given day, you'll most likely see more than a couple homeless individuals. Even if they are not sleeping on a bench, asking for money, or spotted drinking from a brown bag, they are easy to spot. They, in some way or another fit the stereotype. They have an obvious appearance of homelessness. Some people can't help but look, or even stare, out of either pity, disapproval, disdain or disgust . Some try in vain to ignore their existence for all the same reasons. The fact remains, you see them. What about the ones you don't see? The Invisible Homeless.


   They are among you;  waiting for a bus, going to work, looking for work, standing in line next to you,  or maybe just taking a break from their harsh reality by walking around in the beautiful chaos of city life. You have even had casual conversations or exchanged niceties with them. But you still don't see them. They are invisible.  No, I haven't gone mad. I don't mean they are invisible by standard, literal definition of the word. I never said you can't see them, I said you don't. You can't tell they are homeless by looking at them or talking with them. They are clean. They are sober. They are respectful. They are intelligent and educated.  They are just like you, but fell on hard times. They are statistically a more accurate representation of homelessness than those who fit the homeless stereotype.


   In difficult times, it is one's dignity and self esteem that enables them to keep moving forward, to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. Hurtful words and lack of compassion add the burden of shame to an already heavy heart.  The stigma of homelessness causes them to keep quiet about their plight. Negative public opinion toward homelessness alienates these people from the communities they helped build.

   How do I know? Because I am one of them, and I walk among you every day.  People smile and say, "Good morning" when we pass on the sidewalk. They engage me in small talk when we are waiting for the lightrail. Some have even asked me to lunch, and not because they know I am hungry.  I am treatred with the same dignity and respect everyone deserves, because people don't know I am homeless.

   We are not looking for a handout, but we need a hand up. We aren't asking for the change in your pocket, we are asking for change in society.