30 Nights with the Martinez/Pacheco Homeless Outreach — One Of Those Nights

Day 3

7 p.m.: I start at the City Council meeting. Every month I give a report on the homeless situation and I give records of what I did for that month.

9 p.m.: I got a call from the county about a male camping behind 595 Center Ave. so I get there and of course no one is there but I did see a lot of trash, so I walked around. Turns out there is construction going on at 40 Muir Rd. and  there were some guys there doing the late night recycle. So I gave them some supplies and I was off to downtown.

I get there and right away one of the regular homeless guys tells me there are two inmates out here stranded . I find both guys, see their release papers and ask them to wait as usual . So I start my rounds. I counted nine in the Amtrak Station parking lot tonight. I handed out some supplies to those who needed it. Then one girl comes up to me and starts complaining about Loaves and Fishes about how they don't use plates any more, they use jail trays (her words) and she didn't get enough to eat. I asked her if she complained about me when I leave. Then I told her that she wasn't in a position to complain and she should be grateful that those people took time out of their day to feed her.

Now I am up on the hill behind Nob Hill. There is a big mess up there -- couches, clothes etc., they get from the Goodwill truck parked behind the stores. I asked the police to stand by for me while I climbed up in case someone was up there or I fell. Then off to Walmart.

I sent a young lady sleeping in her car to the shelter. I think she was relieved but I'm not sure. I messed up and forgot the guy waiting to go to BART,  so I got him and took him to BART, gave him some food and a sweater.

On my way home the police call about a guy at Tower Mart on Howe and Pine. It was a guy I feel so bad for; he has been homeless for years and has heart problems and all he does is drink. I have put him in every service there is more than once. The ER knows him by first name. It is hard to see him -- it makes me sad sometimes. Yes, I'm a wimp sometimes and yes, I get emotional sometimes. It is hard to deal with everyone's problems every night so yes, I get sad from time to time. I take this guy to his brother's house in Pacheco. His brother won't let him in but he will let him sleep in his yard. Sometimes when I am out with a client I try to imagine them before they became homeless, then other times I try imagine them if they got off the streets and sobered up or took care of whatever issue they have, and where they would be in five years. I try to remember that I'm making decisions for someone's son or daughter, someone's mom or dad. It's hard.

Sorry to get emotional. It was one of those nights.