Stories from the Street: Joseph's Story

Joseph is a man with an easy smile and a ready handshake. He asks for money on the street, but he'd love to find work as a day laborer. Last week he was able to find work helping someone move into their new offices on Madison Street.

While in college at Grambling State, things were going well for Joseph. He attended school full time and worked part-time as a bank teller. Things went sour, however, when he was charged with a felony for selling drugs. He says he got caught up in how much money he could make in the drug business, though he says wasn't really a drug user himself. It was all about the money. He got sucked in and paid the price.

Today he's trying to keep the faith and find a good job, but it's hard to find work when you have a felony on your record. So Joseph takes life one day at a time and relies on the generosity of the strangers he meets. One man gave him the new pair of Columbia hikes shoes he wears, another man gave him the shirt he wears, and today he needs a dentist. He's battling a toothache and the only thing he can do is numb it for a while with a dab of Orajel every couple of hours.

Join me in supporting folks like Joseph as I work to raise $5,000 for men and women who are homeless while training for the October 2011 Chicago Marathon. Tax deductible donations can be made at http://www.active.com/donate/crossroadsrunners/edduffy

Stories from the Street: Scooter's Story

Scooter lost the roof over his head in 1992 when his mother died. Since then he’s been living on the street. Scooter is a warm, conversational man in his 60’s. He takes his place on the sidewalk each day outside St. Peter’s church on Madison Street and asks for money to pay for food and a room.

Scooter tries to collect the $15 a night he needs to pay for a room at the men’s hotel at Clark and Harrison. On a good day, he collects $25-40 from passers-by. He needs to get to the hotel by 5:00 PM, before all the rooms are taken. When he doesn’t collect enough money for a room, he buys a CTA pass so he can sleep on the Red Line all night, from Howard to 95th Street and back again.

Despite his circumstances, Scooter is a man of faith. He believes he is being held in the palm of God’s hand. He nurtures his relationship with God by attending daily mass and reading his Bible daily. He shares with me his concern about the growth in his abdomen, which is now the size of a grapefruit. He goes to the clinic when he can afford it to have fluid drained from it.

Scooter is a realist. He knows he needs the daily handouts he receives to survive on the street, but hopes people are giving from the heart, not just out of pity. He says we’re all the same underneath our clothes, whether we’re rich or poor, black or white.
Look for Scooter as you pass by St. Peters Church in the loop. He’ll be there with a ready smile and a story to share.

Join me in supporting folks like Scooter as I work to raise $5,000 for men and women who are homeless as I train for the October 2011 Chicago Marathon. Tax deductible donations can be made at http://www.active.com/donate/crossroadsrunners/edduffy

Stories from the Street: Lenne's Story

When I first met Lenna she was opening the door for an elderly woman entering the Dunkin Donuts at the corner of Wabash and Adams. Lenna said she doesn’t go around opening doors for everyone, but "this lady looked like she needed some help."
I introduced myself and shook her hand. As our eyes met, I could see a lot of pain and fear behind her eyes. As we talked she became more relaxed and shared her experience of being homeless for 5 years and selling Streetwise.

Before I knew it she was telling me the story of how she was studying to get her GED. She pulled out here recent test scores from her purse and showed me that she had earned a passing grade in all areas of the test except for Math. She scored a 370, but needed a 410. She was determined to pass and leverage this success to get a better paying job.

Though we spoke for just a few minutes she shared with me her hopes, her desires, and her dreams. I don’t know all of what she’s been through in her past, but I know she’s determined to persevere and get off the streets in the near future. Let’s all say a prayer in support of Lenna and her journey to a better life.

Join me in supporting folks like Lenna as I work to raise $5,000 for men and women who are homeless as I train for the October 2011 Chicago Marathon. Tax deductible donations can be made at http://www.active.com/donate/crossroadsrunners/edduffy

Stories from the Street: David's Story

I met David on Madison Avenue one day around lunchtime. He's an easy-going fellow who takes things one day at a time. He's been homeless for 2 years and stays at Pacific Garden Mission. They provide him with meals, a place to sleep, and a daily helping of scripture verses.

What David really wants is to find a factory job. He doesn't have any leads right now but he remains hopeful. Join me in raising $5,000 to help folks living on the streets like David as I train for this October's Chicago Marathon. Tax deductible donations can be made at http://www.active.com/donate/crossroadsrunners/edduffy

Stories from the Street: John's Story

John is a big man, standing over six feet tall. He's a big man, but he's also got a big heart. He's a husband and a father with three kids. They live on Lower Wacker Drive. John and his family are homeless.

John had high hopes when he finished his degree in Engineering at Mississippi State, but he's been unable to find a job in construction so he sits at the corner of Wells and Adams asking for money to support him and his family.

When I told him I was also looking for a job, he brightened up and offered me some suggestions of places to try. "Have you tried UIC or Illinois State?" He also cracked a smile when he started talking about being an uncle.

I don't know much more about John's history, but in this brief exchange with him I can tell he is a family man who just wants to provide for his family. He may be faceless and nameless to some who pass him on the street, but to others he goes by the name John, Dad, and husband.

Join me in raising $5,000 to help break the cycle of homelessness for women and men like John in Chicago, as I train for this years Chicago Marathon. I invite you to make a tax deductible donation at http://www.active.com/donate/crossroadsrunners/edduffy

Stories from the Street: Brenda's Story

Brenda grew up on the West Side, but she has no family to speak of today. She finds shelter in the evenings at the Pacific Garden Mission, but tells me that the food is not that good. She holds a sign that says, "By the grace of God I am hungry and homeless." What a radical statement that is! Her circumstances are dire but she trusts that God is going to use her in this situation for his glory. Another person might curse God in this situation, but Brenda somehow holds fast to her faith.

Join me in raising $5,000 to help break the cycle of homelessness for women and men like Brenda in Chicago, as I train for this years Chicago Marathon. I invite you to make a tax deductible donation at http://www.active.com/donate/crossroadsrunners/edduffy

Stories from the Street: Ricky's Story

Week 3 of my marathon training has been tough - - first pulling a hamstring and then catching a cold. But that's nothing compared to what folks like Ricky are challenged with every day in the struggle against homelessness.

I met Ricky last week on Grand Avenue. He was recently layed off from his job from the Mayflower Moving Company. As we spoke, he clung to two pictures of his young daughters. He asked for help supporting his family of five.

He was a quiet, proud man. A little embarrassed to be on the street asking for money. But he needed the money to keep a temporary roof over his family's head - - a room at a cheap motel near O'Hare. Say a prayer for Ricky and those like him this week, struggling to provide for their families - - and help me raise money for the homeless as I train for the Chicago Marathon. Peace.