10.26.08 Many people have told me they were interested in this project and wanted to go into the field with me to learn more about it. Last Friday, William from a local ministry, actually was the first to go. He works at a ministry that feeds the hungry, the poor and has a spiritual wrap around program. I have seen their operation and have been very impressed.

William was shocked to see some of the living conditions. I could feel his heart felt desire to help the homeless as we met them. After interviewing one lady he asked if he could pray for her. Her defeated, broken spirit was suddenly lifted as he prayed. She felt a that someone cared. During his prayer I realized that with my camera and his praying we would bring hope to many.

We had some in the woods that could not come to town to eat. William has a military background and brought me on to the local Air Force Base. We asked for some M.R.E.’s (meals ready to eat) for the homeless and was told they don’t keep them on base anymore. The Air Force and Army wished us well but there was nothing they could do. As we drove away William said “We can’t leave them out there hungry” and suggested a small dollar store that we could go to. He reached in his wallet and took out some money. We bought can goods and headed back out to the camp. When we got there everyone was gone. I knew they would be back. We put the food in their lean to and left. William wants to work daily with us now. One man can make a difference.

Today while dropping a blanket at a site I was stopped by three policemen. They asked me what I was doing. I told them I had just dropped a blanket and some cardboard to a camp. They took my driver’s license and ran a check. It came back negative. Then they asked me where my camera gear was. I walked off the railroad tracks a little bit and came to the van. I opened the door and showed them a van full of gear. They told me they were getting many complaints from property owners and that they were there to arrest any homeless people that they could find. They said they were responsible for much of the property damage and unlawful entries. They said they recently found a man who had an outstanding warrant and had taken him in. I was advised to inform them that all local law enforcement agencies would be making a sweep to pick up the homeless because of the amount of complaints. I knew then that the homeless would be arrested. It’s almost the same as saying a man in a red shirt robbed the bank so from now on anyone wearing a red shirt must be a bank robber.

This is going to be a tough, uphill battle.

- D.J. McCoy

10.12.08 “It’s not easy always to stand aside and be unable to do anything except to record the sufferings around one.”…Robert Capa
I know how he felt when he said that. Last Friday I was in Washington DC. It seems that so many need help. The day before that I learned what happens to children that are found homeless. Several people rode a bus and were given a tour of the process of going into foster care. We went to a Children’s home, D.H.H.R. and a juvenile detention center. It’s tragic.

10.21.08 Last night I was able to talk Amy into coming into Family Resource Network and meeting with Judy. I want Amy to make it and be okay but I’m supposed to keep at a distance, be a fly on the wall. That’s hard. She and Judy talked. Judy laid out a plan for her. I know she wants to do this but she is very concerned about her friends that are homeless. It will be a hard, very hard, step for her to make. She really loves her children and I hope she will come in for their sakes.

We recorded Mary Gunderson’s song for the movie today. She is a very talented actress, poet and songwriter. She is also my sounding board and other set of eyes and ears on this project.

I was in Washington again last Friday. What a day. I met Michael. If you can come to the art gallery show in Martinsburg you will see his portrait. He asked for a dollar and as I reached in my pocket, I asked if he was homeless. “Yes, yes I am,” he said. As I gave him a buck he said “God bless you, God bless America, Merry Christmas and Amen”.

I also met with Michael Stoops Executive Director of The National Coalition Of The Homeless and his staff. It was great to see so many young people involved in this important social issue. Mr. Stoops granted us an interview and really helped bring this problem into focus. He informed me that the closest neighbor to the President of the United States was a homeless man in Layette Park. It’s been that way for years. Not one recent President has ever taken the time to walk out and shake his hand.

Poverty obviously has a direct correlation with homelessness. We must reassess our state and government’s current approach to poverty, but we also must take it upon ourselves individually to help others both locally and globally. Our film on homelessness “Land of Liberty” will shine a light on those who are in extreme poverty, and also provide answers as to what we can do as a people to help our fellow man.