Hugo and Jeff

On Friday February 3^rd, I met with two homeless men: Jeff and Hugo. I had seen one of the men before but the other I had never spoken to. There were very few homeless people that day because the first Friday of the month is when most people get paid and several men and women use that money to sleep in hotels. Additionally, a local shelter for homeless known as the Armory, is open through the winter months so less people come to Friday night dinners. Striking up conversation with these two men, I asked how they had heard of this church and the food that it serves. Hugo, an El Salvador native came to the States 11 years ago, has been coming here for three months. Hugo had taken Jeff last week, making it Jeff’s second time coming to Pomona Promise. When I asked why they didn’t sleep at the Armory, the local shelter, they exclaimed that they would never sleep there for everyone slept too close and it was far to easy to get sick in there. In Jeff’s own words, “they’re G’s for sleeping out in the cold.” They explained that most of the homeless people try to look out for each other, so if they know of a place to eat or where they can find shelter, they let each other know.

As I continued talking them, I began to know more about them. Jeff is from Glendora. He was born in raised in Southern California so he knows the area well. Jeff, in particular, was really open about his life with me. He shared that he was the son of two deaf parents and while he spoke English perfectly, he was also fluent in ASL.  All of his aunts and uncles were deaf as well, but all of the kids (his cousins and siblings) could hear perfectly. As we continued talking he told me of how he used to get in trouble a lot in his childhood and how the first time he was sent to juvenile hall he was only 11 years old. “That’s sick” he said to me. “It’s sickening how young I was when I started getting in trouble.” Jeff had assured me though that it had been years since he had gotten into trouble, but the trouble he got into early in life, in addition to stopping his education is what led him to the stage he is in today. I told Jeff about how I am a boarder at the Webb schools and how I really like it there, to which he responded that he knew of the Webb schools. “How”? I asked him. Jeff said he had been to a Webb a few times in the 80s because the school he went attended (Boys’ Republic) would frequent Webb to play baseball. Just knowing this little fact, I instantly felt like he was closer to our cause.

Hugo’s English was not the best so he spoke much less throughout the night, but the men both told me about the current stages of their lives. Jeff’s brother was also homeless and the men would often put their money together. They explained how they would save up their money to buy a pizza or a subway sandwich which was considered a luxury to them or even a hotel room for the night. They collected cans as often as they could with hopes that it would bring in a few extra bucks. The guys would also “tag cars”—putting papers on cars—to make money. For every 1000 cars they “tagged” the men would make 30 dollars. It is tiring work for them but it is all the work that they have.

Honestly, I was so impressed by these two men. Just speaking to them of the little luxuries that we so often take for granted that they don’t have any access to really made me appreciate what I have and made me want to serve them even more. “The worst part is not being able to take a shower whenever you want”, Jeff said. I don’t think we will ever understand what these men have to go through on their journeys of life, but I do know that I’m proud to serve such honest and kind men. More stories to come.

Ivie