Coping with homelessness and the pandemic

Recently, the yard of Poverello House has opened to offer hospitality and respite to our homeless brothers, and I stopped by to see how a couple of the guys have been coping during this challenging time.

Both of the men, Deyoe and Perry, said that the most difficult thing for them was the lack of services. Both state that getting food still is a problem because groups are unable to feed the homeless right now.

Deyoe likes to keep in good physical shape, but although he has a gym membership, the gyms have been closed. He is hopeful that a vaccine will be developed that will make it safe to spend time together again. When asked about what he does to help keep his spirits up, he said that he reads and works out. Because of a pinched nerve in his neck, he has a medical marijuana card which helps.

Perry had some of the same concerns. He gets some ser- vices from the VA. He is a veteran of the Marine Corp and the Army so receives health care through the VA and said that, although the VA has been trying to find housing for homeless vets, that has not yet worked out for him. Perry pointed out that he often was able to get work at events like the Fourth Avenue Fair but due to the pandemic those opportunities are not available. He explained that being able to come to the yard at Pov- erello House has been very helpful and he comes every week. He has been a guest at Poverello House for al- most ten years.

Perry feels the wearing of masks is necessary and is also hopeful that a vaccine will soon be available.
By Poverello Volunteer, Edna Greene