The Student Newspaper of Highline College

Tuan Shihan/THUNDERWORD

The homelessness epidemic hits home here in Des Moines.

Voices from those who suffer from homelessness in Des Moines, Washington

Solana Jackson Staff Reporter May 25, 2023

Homelessness is a complex and pressing issue that affects individuals, families, and communities around the world. 

It is a state of extreme uncertainty and vulnerability, where individuals lack stable and adequate housing, often facing extreme hardships and marginalization. The causes of homelessness are multifaceted, encompassing a range of factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and systemic inequalities.

The consequences of homelessness are far-reaching, impacting not only the individuals experiencing it but also straining social services, perpetuating cycles of poverty, and diminishing the overall well-being of society. 

However, understanding the complexities of homelessness is crucial in order to develop effective strategies, policies, and support systems to address this critical issue and work towards creating a society where everyone has access to safe and secure housing.

Taking a look at Des Moines, Wash., the homelessness has significantly worsened over the years, with a larger concentration of homeless individuals along Pacific Highway than ever before. It is evident that action is urgently needed to provide assistance to those living on the streets.

Unfortunately, the current response to large gatherings of homeless people involves calling the police, who in turn inform them to leave the area, only to see the same individuals returning the following day. This recurring cycle highlights the need for more effective and sustainable solutions to address the challenges faced by the homeless population.

One striking aspect of the homelessness issue is the presence of young teens who have endured hardships and experienced feelings of being unwanted and unloved. 

For instance, Joseph Mercer, who became homeless at the age of 12 after leaving foster care due to mistreatment, is a powerful example. His experiences in the system left him feeling like he didn’t belong, enduring abuse, starvation, and prolonged isolation.

The foster care placements he encountered made him feel unwanted, as he believed they only tolerated him for financial gain. He longed for the love and care of his family and, despite running away to his aunt’s house, he was brought back to the foster home by the police.

Finding himself back on the streets, Mercer turned to heavy drug use and regular drinking as a means to cope with his emotional pain. His despair led to thoughts of suicide, attempting drug overdoses or hoping for a fatal encounter on the streets.

“I wanted to die because my parents left me when I was ten years old, they let me down and threw me in the garbage. I didn’t want to be here anymore. I wanted to leave this place. I just wanted to go to sleep forever. I didn’t care what happened to me. Sometimes I’d think about if people would just come up to me and just shoot me or something like that I just didn’t want to be here anymore. I try to do as much drugs as I can to end it all. To end the suffering, to end the pain, to end everything,” said Mercer. 

Marcelina, a middle-aged woman, provides another example of someone who has experienced homelessness intermittently since her youth. Currently, she finds herself living on the streets due to leaving a domestic violence situation.

Marcelina’s decision to come to Washington was based on the promises made by her adoptive parents, who assured her they would support her in caring for her daughter and help her rebuild her life if she left El Paso, Texas. However, upon arriving in Washington, she discovered that those promises were empty, as her adoptive parents had abandoned her, leaving her to navigate the challenges on her own.

While living on the streets, Marcelina encounters various obstacles, including being unfairly judged based on her appearance and experiencing fear for her personal safety as a woman alone in this vulnerable situation.

“Being judged, first impressions mean a lot to a lot of people and I’m a darker skinned woman and I got tattoos. Sometimes I don’t always look the happiest because I’m glaring because the sun is in my eyes. The hardest part is being a girl and worrying about what harm is going to come at what angle at every second,” said Marcelina. 

These stories serve as a blatant reminder of the pressing need to assist homeless individuals in finding shelter and support, especially considering that some of them turn to heavy drug use as a means to numb the pain they have experienced.

It is crucial to acknowledge that every person deserves a genuine opportunity for a better life. Many of those living on the streets do not choose to be there; they genuinely desire help but may struggle to access it. Numerous individuals have expressed their willingness to overcome addiction and participate in programs such as Job Corps or pursue educational goals like obtaining their GED. 

As a community, it is our responsibility to intensify our efforts in reaching out to these individuals, providing them with the necessary resources, and facilitating their entry into rehabilitation programs. By doing so, we can empower them to have a real chance at reclaiming a stable and fulfilling life.

Tag cloud
Thanksgiving BAT Zoom Winter Dr. Mosby Healthcare Community Budget Holiday Reopening T-Birds Arcturus NWAC Basketball Mental health in-person Pandemic COVID-19 Coronavirus Bookstore Golf Enrollment Tutors spring MLK Highline Social distance ASHC Star Trek Scholarships Poetry Sound Transit Soccer Fall students Foundation Vote Accreditation Tennis Election Library Graduation Floyd ctcLink online