July 12, 2002
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What do you believe life in a homeless shelter is like?

Judging by what I've read in the newspapers and seen on TV, it's like living in an incredibly dirty dorm room with an unpredictable roommate who is probably psychotic, and may harm either himself or you at anytime. (Is that sentence long enough?)

Reba, 50+
Silver Spring
, MD   USA

This is hard to imagine. I believe it would be rather interesting...and maybe somewhat dehumanizing. I know there are guidelines to follow, which is probably tough on people who are used to coming and going as they please. If the shelter provides meals, I'll bet you'd get to meet some rather interesting people during dinnertime. And quite honestly, I can't help but believe that I wouldn't feel very sanitary living in a homeless shelter. You never know what type of person slept there before you. I'm glad they exist, but wish they were more of a platform to better oneself. I think that's what they should be...but sadly, are not.

Fisch, 47
Preston
, CT   USA

I think there is a community of people who are forced to live together and form a community. I think they would give anything to have a permanent place to live. I just finished reading "Tell Them Who I Am" by Eliot Liebow. It's a nonfiction account of homeless women in a suburban community in Virginia.

Laura, 37
Lowell
, MA   USA

very bad, i surely wouldn't like to have to live in one.

Brad, 21
Sydney  AUSTRALIA

Unfun.

Talia, 25
Stamford
, CT   USA

I believe there are reasons most homeless people take to the streets as soon as the weather's warm enough.

Alias Irrelevante

Boring, not much fun, probably depressing and guilt-evoking.

Karen, 22
Ames
, IA   USA

I imagine it's very lonely. I know there are many more words to describe it, but loneliness is what always comes to my mind.

Jeremy, 14
Highlands Ranch
, CO  USA

Well, I took a friend of mine who was homeless to one of these shelters once, it's called the Salvation Army, and he was allowed to stay there for 30 days, or until he found a job, whichever came first. They gave him food, a bed, and shower.

Melodi, 19
Gahanna
,
OH  USA

Frustratingly fluid with no privacy for either the family or the individual.

Jill, 61
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

Until I'm in that situation myself, I won't even venture to guess because I'd probably be way off! If you haven't experienced it, you can't talk about it!!

Tracy, 24
Ocean City
, NJ  USA

Life in a homeless shelter would be terribly humiliating, I would think. In the area that I live, there is no such thing...I don't think we even have homeless people around here...so I've never been exposed to even so much as seeing the exterior of such a place. I have seen homeless people when I've ventured into the city...and it's so sad. I just cant even imagine what a life like that would be like!

Tam

I can imagine stressful, challenging, depressing. There probably are moments of light, though.

Felicia, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

In a word, crappy. As for the details, I don't intend to find out.

Firelady, 24
Frisco
, TX   USA

The lack of privacy would make me tense and defensive.

Jane, 62
West Linn
, OR USA

I believe it would be a crappy existence... but at least it's shelter.

Doug2, 29
Overland Park
, KS  USA

I believe that I never want to find out.

Nicci, 27
Las Vegas
, NV   USA

pretty bad, but with a little bit of good stuff too I hope.

Keri-Jade, 21
Brampton, Ontario  CANADA

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