Sit down and address how this even happened. Make a list even. What factors led to your homelessness? Was it in your control? Was that last keg party you threw, you know, the one that got busted by three squad cars, a paddy wagon and a Channel 12 news team the straw that broke the camel's back? Or was you r landlord simply unable to pay the mortgage? Make note of any personal issues or habits t hat led to your situation; is there anything you might have to do differently the second time around?
Keep focus. Homelessness
Abby larson illustration
MARC RHOOFS C
it u' irJ
I
So it's finally happened. You woke up this morning and found an eviction sli p on your front door. You've had the sneaking suspicion that the ugly little piece of paper was slowly making its way to your place, but the idea was never quite so real until you reached up and plucked it to read. Now, there can be any number of reasons to explain the presence of that blunt weapon of a legal document in your fist, but it still boils down to having a set amount of days to pack up your stuff and move out. So what to do? For many people the easy way out of this is to move back home. However, some people don't
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have that option. Some people lost their rooms to that study that their dad had been quietly wanting for years even after he swore up and down that he wouldn't appropriate it after you moved out. Or some people simply don't want to move back home. They don't want to give up their education whether it means being a little hungry or not having a place to stay. Well, for those people here a few general steps to getting you back on your own feet in your own place and sti ll staying in school why you do it.
Find a place to stay. Who do you know in the area who would possibly let you stay with them? If you find a place, make sure to emphasize your short-
term intentions and at any cost, don't wear ou t your welcome. Cut grass, cook, do dishes, any thingshow some humility. Remember, now that you're homeless you're at the mercy of other people's generosity. Make it worth their while. If you can't find someone to stay with, consider your other options. If you have a car, make sure to park in a well-lit area with a decent amount of foot traffic when you sleep in it. No car? Find a safe place to store your things and get creative. Shelters might seem intimidating but they're always a legitimate option. Not ready to stay in a shelter? Find a campus building that stays open late, or, even better, open 24 hours. Find a comfy spot, curl up and get that little extra out of your tuition.
is a reason to become more responsible, not less. As tempting as it may be to kick back, crack open a cold one and say, "Screw it," keep in mind that apathy will only worsen your situation. Things are not going to magically get better by ·themselves. Keep yourself enrolled as a full-time student. Try not to drop any classes unless you have to open your schedule for work. In fact, keep as much of a schedule as possible to stay busy. Staying motivated will help you get back into a place of your own faster. Also, it's extremely important to not let your personal hygiene slip. Finding a place like a fri ends house, the school gym or a YMCA where you can utili ze a shower is extremely important. No one's going to want you sleeping on their couch or working at their business if you reek of B.O. and filth.
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HOMELESS, see 12
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