His son was playing with the baby carriage and running around. Just like most boys, he was curious and wanted to keep moving; but, unlike most boys, he was homeless. Dad (who will remain nameless in the interest of his protection) was not a drug addict, nor was he an alcoholic. He just had a far-off stare that fall day. He lost everything when his wife developed a drug habit. She was in rehab and he landed on the streets. He had nowhere to turn because of mandatory reporting. If he went in for help, state social workers would be obligated to report that a small child was living in the woods. This dad had just lost a wife. He was trying to keep it together and hope that tomorrow would be a better day. That better day never came.

Several months later, back at the same spot, I found Dad. “How’s it going? How are you and your son doing?” I asked. After a short pause Dad said, “I had to give him up.” It’s wintertime and this young dad had to decide to try to hold on to what was left of his family or give him up to keep him warm.

Ashley and Andy are going to be parents in a few short weeks. Andy is under-employed. She is eight months pregnant. We have reported on them in the past. Andy walks a long distance to work in the snow. His shoes are falling apart and when he arrives he spends his shift with wet feet.

They just got an apartment less than six weeks ago and were evicted today. The landlord claimed that they were behind in the rent. They were actually behind less than one hundred and fifty dollars. The court believed the landlord.

Andy walks to every shift that he is offered. A year ago he was making fifteen hundred dollars a week on an oil-drilling rig. Now he works part-time at a restaurant for near minimum wage. All he wants is to provide for his family.

Many fathers today are leaving their families behind and starting new ones. Some never look back at whom they left behind. Many of these children fall into a lifelong cycle of welfare. Here we have two dads that want to do the right thing and can’t get ahead. One couldn’t because of mandatory reporting rules, and the other couldn’t because a landlord didn’t live up to his agreement.

They both were doing the best they could, but things beyond their control put them on a path that most people couldn’t even imagine. This is the plight, today, for the homeless in the USA.

2.01.10
DJ McCoy