In America’s cities, we cannot ignore the homeless, but we try. We look straight ahead and with resolution move on.
But not assistant editor Tim Jones. Shortly after assigning this issue’s cover story to contributing editor Beth Spring, Tim found himself with a few hours to spare while on a business trip to Washington, D.C. So on his way back from visiting the National Gallery of Art, he felt compelled to turn back and talk to a blanket-wrapped, stocking-capped homeless person.
Mark turned out to be articulate and coherent—not the sort of person who needs to be institutionalized. He had lost his job, but had managed to keep his apartment for several months. When evicted, he placed his furnishings and belongings in storage but lost them when he couldn’t keep up the storage payments. Now, Mark said, he sleeps in shelters most nights and survives on donations of clothing and small amounts of cash. His “buddy” was dozing on grass, wrapped in a sleeping bag. They look out for each other, Mark explained. There is always the threat of violence.
Mark would love a job. He would take anything, even at minimum wage. But with no address or telephone, and with no way to look well groomed, it is tough to persuade anyone to hire you. Tim put five dollars in the box at Mark’s feet.
Mark said he didn’t know how he would survive this ordeal if he did not know that God was with him in it. Tim’s brief encounter with Mark was months ago. Is Mark still alive? Is he still on the street? We don’t know. But many thousands are.
DAVID NEFF, Senior Associate Editor
