PATH Consumer Provider Network (PCPN) member Tyrone Pitman is a Peer-to-Peer specialist at the Pilsen Wellness Center in Illinois. In this story, he recounts his experiences and suggests that to end homelessness we need to start by thinking critically about the stigma that people who experience homelessness face.

With an ongoing war across the sea, there’s a bigger battle here in the states. It’s the war on homelessness. Being struck down with stigma, prejudice, and ridicule, homelessness has taken a foothold on America. I will try to enlighten you by sharing my brief experience and contact with homelessness.

Let me begin by saying that people do not choose or want to be in the situation that befalls them in life. For me, it began by finding out that I contracted HIV; due in part by believing in the superman theory. It won’t happen to me. I’m black, not gay. There’s no way it’s coming in my neighborhood. Well, HIV/AIDS isn’t colorblind. It doesn’t discriminate like people. It has no boundaries. So, let us begin.

After finding out I wasn’t superman, I chose to start using drugs, moderately at first, but I didn’t stop there. Eventually I got on a streak of getting high just about every day, which eventually led me to depression and the never-ending question; Why Me?  Not understanding my plight, I tried suicide by taking all of my medications. If you’re reading this, you know it didn’t work. I decided to go to a treatment center. I was later accepted in a transitional facility to help with my health and drug problem where I encountered others like me who were male, female, Black, White, Hispanic, straight, and gay.

Homelessness can be confusing to those who don’t understand it or believe that people made the choice to be homeless. It’s quite the opposite. If you don’t try to understand, are you alone in this war? Economics, layoffs, loss of hope, or taking risks for the American dream are big factors that contribute to being homeless. You end up questioning everyday situations such as: Where’s the first meal coming from? How will I get through the day? Will it be cold tonight while the daytime temperature is 98 degrees?

The bond between people who are homeless is strong. It’s a proud group of individuals. If you’re a newbie in a shelter, you have to gain trust from the regulars who you hope will teach you the ropes of surviving the system. It’s a language that really only they can understand; sharing tricks on how to survive through the coldest of nights and how, every now and then, you can make an honest dollar.

If you’re living in a shelter you’re looked upon as someone who doesn’t care or have a purpose in life, which isn’t the case. It takes time dealing with the stigma that comes from misconceptions such as: “You’re uneducated.” “You won’t work.” “You’re just plain worthless.” Society turns the other way because they believe you are these things, before even giving you a chance.

Getting in the system by any means is tough. When applying for help, you need housing, references, and most of all income just to get started. There are obstacles you might not know exist, such as having mental illness, depression, or other unknown factors of life. How does one move forward when they can’t even get the proper medical help?

As a whole, we need to stand up, open our eyes and look outside of the box at the problems people who are homeless face day-to-day and the wall that society has built around them. There needs to be a common ground.  Somewhere they can receive help in education and job training. They should be given the chance to show that they too can be productive and they have the potential to become a positive factor in their own lives as well as in society.

We need to look at the various stigmas or labels we put on people who are homeless and stand up and be accountable for the way we treat them. We need to learn to give trust. Don’t be blinded by the stigmas that are put upon them. Extend an open hand and mind. Listen to them, for they have a lot to say. We can understand if we try to comprehend what has befallen them. Then, and only then, will we begin to understand the plight of people who are homeless.