• The homeless community in Springfield faces many uncertainties each day, including food, shelter and money.
• The New Life Evangelistic Center had set up a tent community for the homeless, but had to remove it due to Springfield city code.
• “There are misconceptions about being homeless, like I’m highly uneducated and a bum just trying to mooch off of the system,” Craig, a member of the local homeless community who did not wish to give his last name, said.
• Rev. Rice of the New Life Evangelistic Center believes the tents are a service to Springfield community by helping the homeless.

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A Day in the Life of the Homeless

When Craig wakes up in the morning there are only a few certainties: bagels, doughnuts, coffees, and a trip to the local library. Craig doesn’t know where he will find his lunch, dinner, or if he will luck upon an odd job for the day. As the day goes on uncertainty looms.  The weather forecast will determine where he will sleep. You can read more about Craig here.

They survive by eating microwave dinners, food donated by churches and individuals, visiting soup kitchens and churches that serve on certain days and  a few of the Catholic churches give gas and food vouchers.

There is uncertainty of where they can eat and sleep every day. Springfield City Code does not allow those who access the shelter to remain inside during the day or cook meals at the facility.

Events like the Hope Connection give the less fortunate a chance to receive benefits usually not offered. Haircuts, flu shots and general medical care were offered to the willing.

Individuals, couples and families attended the event. One couple, Chad and May, did not wish to give their last names but spoke about the adversity they faced in their everyday lives.

“If we don’t have a starting point, how do we actually start,” May said.

The Veterans Center, operated by Reverend Larry Rice, allows them to have a place to take a daily shower, there are also washers and dryers there so anyone can wash their clothes.

 

Tent shelters set up around the Springfield area give the homeless a sense of community. But even tent shelters around the area have been forced to shut down, even with support from community members, like Reverend Rice.

“The city suspends zoning regulations for a couple of churches to open for the homeless at 32 degrees but where do you go if it’s 35 degrees out? We can’t spend thousands of dollars fighting this because that’s money that could be spent helping the homeless,” Rice said.

Most local shelters require that occupants take a series of classes to teach job and life skills. Homeless say that the classes are mandatory and are offered during business hours, making the task of look for a job difficult.

Craig, a New York native, was drawn to Springfield for housing. When the purchase fell through, he lacked the funds to return home and become homeless in Springfield.

“There are misconceptions about being homeless, like I’m highly uneducated and a bum just trying to mooch off of the system,” Craig said.

Kathleen, a half Cherokee Indian, who did not wish to give her last name, was residing in her car with her husband and dogs until they were ticketed for improper collars on their dogs. They were traveling to Arkansas in attempt to purchase a few acres on one month’s income. You can read more about her story here.

“The city needs to know the homeless won’t hurt them, these tents are our homes,” Kathleen said.

Law enforcement has its own protocol for the homeless situation.

“[They are] arrested and transported to jail and released from jail by Greene County Sheriff’s Department.  [Then, they are] detained and released from the scene if not a suspect in a crime.  If they request to go someplace, we’ll make every effort to get them to a shelter of some kind.  Most don’t request to go to a shelter though unless it’s really bad weather,” Officer Matt Brown said.

At a one of Rev. Rice’s press conferences, the homeless community voiced their frustration with their endless cycle of being ticketed for lodging on park benches and other public places. Members of the homeless community shared stories of being ticketed, making court appearances and ultimately being jailed for inability to pay court fines.

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Homeless Resources in a larger map

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Contributions:
Kyle Boaz – story

Mia Jackson – story, interviews, photos

Jami Garner – editing, external content

Sara McClendon – Google Map, external content, editing

Damien M. DiPlacido – Police interview