SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016
Road
increases significantly during
the months with milder weath-
er.
Individuals who find them-
selves without a permanent res-
idence can’t be easily catego-
rized, shouldn’t be generalized,
but are unfortunately often
marginalized.
In an effort to get a better
understanding and open a dia-
logue with those within the
homeless community, I was
assigned to reach out to a num-
ber of individuals who have
found themselves without shel-
ter.
One of the individuals who
from 1A
(NCH) is spearheading the
effort to increase awareness of
this chronic problem while also
conducting studies that gather
information for support groups
at local, state and national lev-
els.
The problem of homeless-
ness is not new and it is not
going away. Lane County
Poverty and Homelessness
Board (LCPHB) estimates
Florence has approximately
100 homeless individuals at
this time of year — number that
Celebrating
the Gifts of
Friendship &
Community
agreed to tell his story was a
64-year-old gentleman I met
named Barry Sommers.
I say “gentleman” intention-
ally because, after spending
just a few moments with
Sommers, one is impressed
with his intellect and strength
of spirit.
Sommers doesn’t appear to
the casual observer to be home-
less. His clothes are clean,
though well-worn. He smiles
readily, revealing gaps that
somehow enhance his wide,
easy grin.
Sommers thoughtfully artic-
ulated to me the series of events
that brought him to this unenvi-
able place in his life.
Our interview took place at a
local
restaurant,
chosen
because he had always wanted
to eat there but knew it was out
of his price range.
Sommers explained that his
situation stems directly from a
combination of the economic
downturn of the past decade
and with society’s disregard for
its older, displaced citizens.
“It started in 2010, with the
worldwide financial crisis,”
Sommers explained. “At that
time I lost my job and I had
been unemployed for almost
S urfside Restaurant
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F irst Course
As we wrap up another year,
we think about how lucky we are to
know good neighbors like you. Thanks for
making us feel so at home here.
We sincerely appreciate your
patronage and support.
Merry
Christmas
and Happy
New Year
from our
entire team!
While you are waiting for your entrée, enjoy our first
course buffet bar with assorted salads,
cold and hot appetizers.
E ntrees
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two years. I had exhausted my
unemployment and gone
through all my savings.
“That’s when I first became
technically homeless.”
The facts gathered by the
NCH and other non-govern-
mental service agencies show
that most of the country’s
homeless have suffered a major
financial set back, either at
work or with their health —
events that propelled them to
homelessness.
This comes in stark contrast
to the common perception that
the majority of homeless peo-
ple are addicts or “lazy.”
The majority of people mak-
ing up the homeless population
are the result of job loss or
financial crisis without the
means — or the family support
system — to recover.
It’s that simple.
Ironically, coming up with a
solution, however, is extremely
difficult. That’s because there is
no “one size fits all” solution to
this problem.
Sommers recalled a painful,
bittersweet event that helped
him to partially stem the sense
of helplessness that many of the
homeless experience.
“My father passed away, and
while he was by no means a
wealthy man, he left me a few
thousand
dollars,”
said
Sommers. “I used it to buy a
used R.V. so I had a place that
was warm and dry. Then I
decided I had to get to a place
where it wasn’t so expensive to
live. That’s when I decided to
Homeless
Choose from an assortment of other sweet goodies
Feel at Home.
Taste the Deliciousness
from 1A
501 (c)(3) organization, so
contributions
are
tax
deductible.
Drop-off sites are KXCR
Community Radio Station,
across the street from the
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7 A
moved to Oregon.”
Sommers said he is comfort-
able sharing the details of his
situation because he wants oth-
ers to understand that not all
homeless individuals are help-
less or unwilling to help them-
selves.
“After I got to Oregon, I fig-
ured out how to live on $500 a
month, It does entail utilizing
social services and other safety
nets that are out there,” said
Sommers. “But they are there
for a reason.”
Sommers has applied for
work in town but factors such
as not having a permanent
address, consistent work histo-
ry and age have made it diffi-
cult.
When asked how he remains
positive and upbeat in his situa-
tion, Sommers pointed skyward
and offers his broad smile.
“I believe that everything
happens for a reason. I trust that
God has a plan for me and I
accept his will in my life,”
Sommers said. “I hope that
someday I will be in a more sta-
ble, positive situation.
“Until then, I will make the
best of where I find myself and
try to find permanent work and
a more traditional living
arrangement.”
Donations
for
today’s
Homeless Awareness Day can
be dropped off at KXCR radio,
across from the Siuslaw Public
Library on Ninth Street, or at
City Lights Cinemas, 1930
Highway 101.
Siuslaw Public Library, and
City Lights Cinema at 1930
Highway 101.
This collection effort is due
to the combined efforts of
West Lane Hostel Committee,
Three Riveres Casino Resort,
Helping Hands and Siuslaw
Outreach Services.
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