Homelessness- not just a big city problem
by Karin L. Nauber
 |
| The building that Kristina and her dad were living in. They also found refuge in their vehicle. |
When you think of someone who is homeless you might picture in your mind a man who looks very rough around the edges who is sleeping in an alley in a mass of cardboard boxes and drinking cheap wine straight from the bottle. You might picture a "bag lady" carrying around all her possessions in an old shopping cart with wobbly and squeaky wheels talking to a "friend" who isn't there.
These are images that are conjured up from what we've seen on TV shows.
But what you might not picture is a homeless person living in a small town like Clarissa.
"Homelessness is a big city problem," you might say to yourself. "It doesn't happen in places like Clarissa."
But it does.
On any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless, according to estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.
According to a December 2000 report of the US Conference of Mayors: single men comprise 44 percent of the homeless, single women, 13 percent; families with children, 36 percent; and unaccompanied minors, seven percent.
The homeless population is about 50 percent African-American, 35 percent white, 12 percent Hispanic, 2 percent Native American and 1 percent Asian.
These numbers paint a strong contrast to the idea that America is the "land of opportunity." Homelessness can occur for any number of reasons and it can happen anywhere.
Just ask Kristina Reynolds. She knows because she is homeless.
Kristina, who is 28 years old, hasn't had an easy life. Her mother died when she was a year and a half old. She lived in many different foster homes while growing up where she was sometimes abused physically and sexually.
Kristina was born with some disabilities which cause her to be unable to work regular jobs. She stutters a bit when she talks and may react slower to cues in communication and communicating in general is difficult because of the disabilities.
Kristina moved here from Pope County a little over a year ago to live with her dad.
A situation arose which made it impossible for them to continue living where they had been living about a month ago.
For the past month she has been living with her dad in their vehicles and in an old run-down storage shed. Because they were not supposed to live on the property they were living on, the sheriff's department became involved.
That was when local business owner Stephanie Pischke, Stephanie's Thrift and Consignment, invited Kristina to live with her until such time that she could get on her feet again and get into her own place.
Things have been especially hard on Kristina for the past two to three months.
When she and her dad got the word that they needed to move, they had asked Kristina's aunt, Cheri Reynolds, to help them move.
"Cheri and her friend, Sheila Smith, were on there way here to help us pack and they were killed in a car accident on County Road 3 and County Road 5," said Kristina sadly.
Two other friends of Kristina's also died in the past three months. One was her boyfriend who was robbed and shot in St. Cloud.
 |
| Kristina Reynolds was homeless for about a month before finding temporary housing. |
In the meantime, she is still worried about her dad who continues to live in his vehicle.
Stephanie is asking that people donate items to help Kristina get back on her feet.
"She has nothing. She needs everything," said Stephanie.
Some of the things that Kristina needs are clothes, from a winter coat, mittens, hat, scarf and boots, down to necessities like underclothing.
Kristina wears a women's extra large size. Anything you are able to donate would be appreciated. You can bring your donations to Stephanie's Thrift and Consignment on Main Street in Clarissa.
In addition to clothing, she also needs blankets, pillows, sheets, dishes, towels and personal hygiene supplies such as shampoo and toothpaste.
If you have furniture, that is also a need for when she is able to get her own place.
Sometimes you don't have to look very far to see a need in your own backyard.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please call Stephanie at 320-533-0230 or stop by her shop in Clarissa.