A disease called homelessness.
By Elisa Forsgren
The old Victorian house stands out between the commercial buildings on Ritter street, a diagonal street that runs from 2nd to 3rd. Despite the fresh slate blue paint with white trim surrounded by a white iron gate, the house remains unnoticed to many who pass by everyday. In fact one would actually have to really look for the house while driving into San Rafael on 3rd street. But the house is there and serves as a kind of beacon to those in need. People without a home of their own call this house home. This is Ritter Center.
Shortly after 3 p.m. a small group of people have gathered across the street from Ritter Center. Some sit on the pavement, leaned up against their backpack which holds all of their worldly possessions, as they wait for a bus that will take them to a shelter for the night.
These people, who have so very little in this world, are extremely protective of what they do have left. Dignity removed long ago, all that remains is hope that the kindness of strangers will see them through another day. For them, the American Dream has died long ago.
Each person has a unique story to tell: human trafficking, war veterans, heroes, fathers, mothers, hard times all blend into one of homelessness. If they don’t find a place to sleep here tonight, they will sleep on our streets and parks, pick up our cigarette butts for a dollar an ounce… the invisible people, we’d rather not see.
San Rafael is the county seat to one of the wealthiest in the nation according to Forbes. Yet a definitive line drawn between the “haves and the have nots” Dominique McDowell said, patient advocate at the center.
“The country doesn’t like losers,” David Edwards said as he waits patiently outside the center for a bus that will take him some place warm to sleep.
Tomorrow is a big word for Edwards. The unknown promise of a new day, he might stay with the Ritter Center program or join Occupy Oakland, his future unsure of any solid plans.
“Fear is what keeps us separated from other people who have so much,” said Edwards. “It’s the disease they fear,” he added, “A disease called homelessness.”
ReportingSF2012 