When people ask, “what is the face of homelessness”, it is  a  hard question to answer. People experiencing homelessness come from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, grew up in different socio-economic conditions, and have often dealt with overwhelming tragedies and barriers in their lives. There is not one face of homelessness, just as each person and situation is unique. Please allow us to share a story of one face of homeless. This story is about Abraham.

Abraham is a refugee from Sudan, and grew up in a small village called Wau. He is tall, slim, kind, and has the most contagious smile you will ever see. He speaks three languages, Lua, Arabic, and a bit of English. Abraham is a survivor and exemplifies a strength that many of us wish we had.

A jovial, outspoken man of faith, you would never know that Bob had been homeless and living in encampments for more than 30 years. After living in every major city in the United States, Bob suffered three strokes which left him partially paralyzed, for which he did not have any medical insurance.

Steven, a 27 year old former client of the ARCH, spent four years of his life without a home. He suffers from a social anxiety disorder. Before becoming an ARCH client, he first began visiting Trinity Center and with their recommendation, began working with case managers from Front Steps, Capital Idea, and Caritas.

Like many people who become medically homeless, Mary Margaret, a childhood incest survivor, once lived in her own home, drove her own car, and worked to support herself as a nurse in a hospital. However, at age 59, she was plagued by severe health problems which ultimately led to the loss of her income.