By Olivia Hunter
Based on a report by Boston’s NPR news station, the country’s homeless population is increasing. People think a major cause of this is the high rent costs and low income, which is evident in major cities in the United States. Because of its small radius, Boston has been successful in decreasing the number of homelessness in the city. That being said, there are still over seven thousand people unemployed, or living on the streets.
Although the number of homeless and unemployed people in Boston is significantly lower than other cities in America, they all share the same struggle. Instead of brushing them off as needy or dirty- stop and have a decent conversation and sympathize with them. It may mean the world to them- they are still human.
I was walking along Commonwealth Avenue until I had hit the highway intersection that would lead me to the Barnes and Nobles in Kenmore Square, near Fenway Park. I noticed a man sitting on the steps to a bank. He had a blanket wrapped around his legs and wore a black jacket, despite the low eighty-degree sunny weather. His name is Melvin.
Based on a report by Boston’s NPR news station, the country’s homeless population is increasing. People think a major cause of this is the high rent costs and low income, which is evident in major cities in the United States. Because of its small radius, Boston has been successful in decreasing the number of homelessness in the city. That being said, there are still over seven thousand people unemployed, or living on the streets.
Although the number of homeless and unemployed people in Boston is significantly lower than other cities in America, they all share the same struggle. Instead of brushing them off as needy or dirty- stop and have a decent conversation and sympathize with them. It may mean the world to them- they are still human.
I was walking along Commonwealth Avenue until I had hit the highway intersection that would lead me to the Barnes and Nobles in Kenmore Square, near Fenway Park. I noticed a man sitting on the steps to a bank. He had a blanket wrapped around his legs and wore a black jacket, despite the low eighty-degree sunny weather. His name is Melvin.
“It’s a bad day today. I’m making no money; no one wants to help me! Five hours here and I made two dollars- I usually make twenty dollars.”
Were you born here?
“I wasn’t born here but I was raised here. I have been here since 1980.”
Do you mind telling me your story?
“What kind of story? It’s a long story! I was an alcoholic and that’s how I ended up on the street... Lost everything I had: car, wife, everything... I can’t get anything back. I’m sick and I’m going to die soon. I don’t know when, but soon”
What have you always wanted to do?
"I just always wanted to do construction. Just build houses... I know everything about it and how to build houses. I can't work though, I'm sick. My livers gone and I get seizures."
I see you have a pile of books next to you. Do you enjoy reading?
"I love reading. That’s my main thing. That’s the Bible and these are little books."
I was still in Kenmore square and had finished interviewing Melvin, when I saw a man outside the 7-eleven, holding doors open for customers. After he had opened the doors for people, he would return to his post outside Dunkin’ Donuts to smoke his cigarette. He had next to him a worn out cup with spare change inside.
Were you born here?
“I wasn’t born here but I was raised here. I have been here since 1980.”
Do you mind telling me your story?
“What kind of story? It’s a long story! I was an alcoholic and that’s how I ended up on the street... Lost everything I had: car, wife, everything... I can’t get anything back. I’m sick and I’m going to die soon. I don’t know when, but soon”
What have you always wanted to do?
"I just always wanted to do construction. Just build houses... I know everything about it and how to build houses. I can't work though, I'm sick. My livers gone and I get seizures."
I see you have a pile of books next to you. Do you enjoy reading?
"I love reading. That’s my main thing. That’s the Bible and these are little books."
I was still in Kenmore square and had finished interviewing Melvin, when I saw a man outside the 7-eleven, holding doors open for customers. After he had opened the doors for people, he would return to his post outside Dunkin’ Donuts to smoke his cigarette. He had next to him a worn out cup with spare change inside.
I walked over and started to strike up a conversation with him, and he was the friendliest man with an outspoken humor. He didn’t hesitate to answer the questions I asked him. His name is Angel Luis.
“I’m 54. My daughters 38... I have worked all my life. I lost my job 3 and a half months ago. I used to work around here in maintenance and clean up. I got a place around here”
Is there a specific reason why you’re near Boston University?
“A friend showed me this place and I like it (points to 7-eleven behind him). I like the people here... I get to know a lot of people and that’s the good part...I have been here all my life.”
I interviewed the man across the street, his name is Melvin-
“I am friends with Melvin! That’s the only guy I know and he introduced me here and he stayed here for thirty years.”
Do you like living in Boston?
“I like the people. They treat me good and give me money. I pay my rent!”
Did you ever try getting your job back?
“They want young people... I wish I had a job. I have worked my whole life but they want young people.”
The Boston Globe published an article discussing how benefits will no longer be given as a result of the Federal Extension Program expiring. The Federal Extension Program is when there is additional funding for the unemployment benefits by the Federal government, to provide a longer period of compensation. These types of benefits were discontinued because it was predicted to take 25 billion dollars out of the economy if they proceeded to give funds over the next year.
Because of this, nearly 60,000 jobless people in Massachusetts won’t be receiving unemployment benefits. This statistic doesn’t compare to the 1.3 million people losing benefits across the entire United States this year.
Outside of McDonalds was a middle-aged man sitting on a crate. He was also holding out a cup to collect ay change he could get. When I approached him, he seemed defensive and would only allow me to ask one question in exchange for some money. I took advantage of this broad request, and told him to tell me something about himself. He wished to remain anonymous after I asked him his name.
“I’m a disabled Vet. I’m not homeless... I’m gonna fight the government right now and get my benefits. So I’m living down in a crummy little room down the street. I’m putting in for my housing and everything so I can get my own home. I’m not- I don’t have an income right now. So I have to come out here and shake a cup. I don’t really want to do that but this- I’m almost sixty years old. I can’t be around here out on the street... is the lesser of the two evils. I don’t want to do this, but I have to do this.”
Many people across the United States have been cut off from unemployment benefits, and are trying to find ways to keep an income. This includes asking strangers for money on the street. You probably walk by these people without a smile or even a glance, but just know that they’re no different than we are.
“I’m 54. My daughters 38... I have worked all my life. I lost my job 3 and a half months ago. I used to work around here in maintenance and clean up. I got a place around here”
Is there a specific reason why you’re near Boston University?
“A friend showed me this place and I like it (points to 7-eleven behind him). I like the people here... I get to know a lot of people and that’s the good part...I have been here all my life.”
I interviewed the man across the street, his name is Melvin-
“I am friends with Melvin! That’s the only guy I know and he introduced me here and he stayed here for thirty years.”
Do you like living in Boston?
“I like the people. They treat me good and give me money. I pay my rent!”
Did you ever try getting your job back?
“They want young people... I wish I had a job. I have worked my whole life but they want young people.”
The Boston Globe published an article discussing how benefits will no longer be given as a result of the Federal Extension Program expiring. The Federal Extension Program is when there is additional funding for the unemployment benefits by the Federal government, to provide a longer period of compensation. These types of benefits were discontinued because it was predicted to take 25 billion dollars out of the economy if they proceeded to give funds over the next year.
Because of this, nearly 60,000 jobless people in Massachusetts won’t be receiving unemployment benefits. This statistic doesn’t compare to the 1.3 million people losing benefits across the entire United States this year.
Outside of McDonalds was a middle-aged man sitting on a crate. He was also holding out a cup to collect ay change he could get. When I approached him, he seemed defensive and would only allow me to ask one question in exchange for some money. I took advantage of this broad request, and told him to tell me something about himself. He wished to remain anonymous after I asked him his name.
“I’m a disabled Vet. I’m not homeless... I’m gonna fight the government right now and get my benefits. So I’m living down in a crummy little room down the street. I’m putting in for my housing and everything so I can get my own home. I’m not- I don’t have an income right now. So I have to come out here and shake a cup. I don’t really want to do that but this- I’m almost sixty years old. I can’t be around here out on the street... is the lesser of the two evils. I don’t want to do this, but I have to do this.”
Many people across the United States have been cut off from unemployment benefits, and are trying to find ways to keep an income. This includes asking strangers for money on the street. You probably walk by these people without a smile or even a glance, but just know that they’re no different than we are.