Hiding in Plain Sight

Many people think that they can spot a homeless person as soon as they pass them on the street. You know the type: ragged clothes, disheveled hair, unkempt and likely smelling of a mixture of alcohol and body odor. This is the stereotype, thanks in no small part to the depiction given to us by Hollywood.

While this may describe some individuals who are experiencing homelessness, it is by far not the reality – at least not here in the Mahoning Valley. Would it surprise you to know that those who have experienced homelessness and sought shelter at the Rescue Mission are people not much different than you? In the past several years we have counted among our guests: addicts, alcoholics, college graduates, real estate investors, victims of human trafficking, university professors (2 in the past decade, both with PhD’s), mom’s with children, and complete families who were in difficult situations.

The next time you think you know what a homeless person looks like, think again. In fact, look in the mirror. He or she looks just like you.