10
Monday, February 9, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
Continued from p. 1
Shelter aids transients who choose the streets
Salvation Army Lt. David Jones is trying to help people like Carolyn and Manstheid. He has converted the shelter for Lawrence's homeless, a shelter for Lawrence's homeless.
"I think the whole world needs to take a look at not just the obvious problems like a shelter, but beyond that," Jones said. "People keep saying, 'Look at the poor people on the streets.' Quit saying that and do something about it. Sometimes I get carried away and try to change the whole world, but I know I need only to change my neighborhood."
The causes, ages and socio-economic backgrounds of Lawrence's homeless touch every point in the spectrum. Some stay for days, even weeks, some leave and never come back and others are periodic regulars.
Shari Getting/Special to the KANSAN
"Somewhere along the line these folks slip through the cracks all their lives," Jones said. "It's our responsibility to bridge the gaps so these people don't fall through the cracks."
Giving shelter
On Nov. 12, when the Salvation Army's winter shelter opened, just four people staved overnight.
As temperatures plummet to below freezing three months later, that number had increased to about 20.
Before the gymnasium was converted into a winter shelter, the only options for Lawrence's homeless during the winter months were to sleep on park benches or in abandoned buildings. In Kansas City, some transients have already died this winter from exposure.
Salvation Army shelter employee Devanna Jennings, left, talks with two men at the shelter. During the coldest weather, about 20 people stay each night.
"They get to look at this year as the year they will make it," said Jones of the lifesaving service the shelter offers. "Before, they were subject to the weather, one person lost a few toes from frostbite last year. They lived in abandoned cars or found abandoned buildings. Now they can stay here instead."
The Red Cross gave the shelter 25 cots, and other organizations provided blankets and pillows — luxuries for those used to sleeping on floors in deserted buildings or keeping warm by rolling themselves in newspapers. When the transients come in, day-old donated rolls and coffee await them.
Choosing the street
Some transients, like Mansfield, live on the streets for reasons more than just economic hardship.
"One of the reasons these people end up homeless is by choice," said Jones, who, along with his wife, is turns taking stays overnight at the
shelter. "They choose to drop out of society."
Some transients choose their lifestyle because they seek to escape pressure from society. Others fear
The reasons why homeless people go to the shelter vary, but a common element exists: it's a place to stay out of the cold.
Jones said that many people who come to the shelter wait until the weather is simply too severe to withstand.
"These people prefer to stay outside," he said. "That is where they are comfortable. They don't like to be in the sun, when they watch them all time."
"But the biggest reason is economics. It is either eat or pay rent, and the stomach talks louder than the landlord."
Jones understands the hardships that transients suffer. He grew up with seven brothers and sisters, surviving on $35 a week. Each child held down several odd jobs to bolster the family income. His family received Salvation Army services.
"The Salvation Army was the only agency in the city where Dad could go without being totally humiliated," he said. "I've been very happy we've come from the Salvation Army."
When Jones was growing up he had three dreams for his future: to be a football star, to be a farmer or to be a Salvation Army officer. He injured his knees playing football in high school, so he bypassed an athletic scholarship to Wisconsin. The economy destroyed his chances at farming so Jones turned to the Salvation Army.
"I wanted to be a Salvation Army officer because I could touch people's lives. I could help them get over hurdles," he said. "It is the most difficult thing I know isn't the only thing I can do, but it's the only thing I want to do."
"I felt empty when I stayed out of the Salvation Army a year (to run a farm) A lot of people say I have a big heart. When I see people hurting I have the drive to see why these people are hurting. Even if there was only one person, I would try to find a way to get that person out of the cold."
success and will do anything to prevent it from happening.
"Take the individual who has been told he is a burn by his parents. They can do one of two things." Jones said.
"They can work very hard to prove them wrong, or others will give up and say 'Yeah, you're right, I'm a bum.' Some want to succeed so bad, but they can't handle the mental pressures."
Carolyn said that a lack of common sense was the root of the problem for many transients, something she also recognized in herself. She said she also is among those who are terrified of success.
During her childhood, her family moved several times. She went to four grade schools and two high schools where the constant uprooting was traumatic.
"I think that has made an impact in my life," said Carolyn, who said she felt ignored by her parents. "I know that what's has happened to me. I'm still a nervous wreck. I feel threatened all the time that things are going to cause crashing down. If I'm in one place for very long I'm afraid something will go wrong. If it doesn't, I make it go wrong. Worthlessness is the feeling that drives people to these places."
"But it's frustrating for me when they won't take care of themselves. I have to make them understand not every job is a $7-an-hour job. I'd like to say 'until I see you're trying don't come back to the shelter', but that's not what we're doing."
"My parents never brought me up to be anything." Carolyn said. "I found people who had that kind of same experience. By choice or not they end up in the shelters. Once they get in, they don't know how to get out. Each organization has the problem of not providing a way of getting them out. They expect you to have determination to get out, or you won't."
Mansfield, who sometimes performs odd jobs to make money, likens himself to a bum rather than a hobo. A hobo is willing to work for the handouts he gets, while a bum simply accepts handouts.
Frustration also is an everyday emotion for Jones, but in a different way. It's most acute when he sees his wife abandoning him and refuge to function independently.
up," he said. "Sure they could find a job that pays $3.35 an hour. For them, that won't begin to pay for an apartment, utilities and food."
shelters. She now has an apartment of her own and is working on her degree at KU. She previously attended college in Arizona. Carolyn said that her upbringing was a contributing factor to how she had spent the last several years.
"There are many people who aspire to be hobos, but I and others can only be bums," Mansfield said.
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