Not just another week or walk in the park

by James K. Waghorne

DALLAS — As I look forward towards the Dallas Help the Homeless Week and the planned events surrounding homelessness here in my community of Dallas, I ponder the thoughts of my fellow citizens and what possible outcomes might arise.

You see, the week of November 11th there will be many events for all our citizens to participate in and the week will culminate on November 17th with the first annual Dallas Walkathon concert featuring Sara Hickman and a light show. This week is personal for me and for many of those I call friends. And unlike all the other activities and walks I have participated in which targeted specific issues such as mental illness, breast cancer, civil rights, child advocacy, veterans, recovery, etc., I wonder if our community understands that homelessness isn’t a specific issue per se, but affects Renee, who is suffering from breast cancer and is getting chemotherapy during the day and sleeping at night near a bridge; and Pops, who served in the 81st airborne and is now suffering from P.T.S.D. and addiction; who often makes his meals from what he can panhandle or get out of the Jack-in-the-box dumpster. I remember the little 8-year-old who suffered multiple stab wounds from an abusive parent, taken away rightfully by CPS to live in a homeless shelter. Steve Blow with the Dallas Morning News brought into our lives Sabrina, suffering from untreated mental illness and the barriers facing her and hundreds of others getting adequate care and a place to call home.

As hard as I try, I cannot see this week in Dallas solely about people without homes, unemployment and helping fix broken families, lives and dreams. I can’t see it as a week to get panhandlers off our streets or out of business doorways. I can’t see it as a problem of poverty. I can only see it as I myself lived it. Sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, moms and dads, nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts, and grandparents. I can only see it as an extension of our community family.

If you cannot participate as a organization, faith-based non-profit, company, school or individual, or if you're physically unable, I would be honored on the 17th of November to walk in your stead and ask if you would sponsor me to do so. As homelessness is a journey of uncertainty and hardship, my journey that day will not be as planned. I will start by walking a trail I walked many times as a homeless individual. Starting at Valley View Park in North Dallas, I will walk the White Rock Trail 7.5 miles, passing by three old sites where I use to sleep and call home. After reaching White Rock Lake I will continue on Mockingbird Lane to Abrams Road and then to Gaston Ave., which I will travel to downtown Dallas. Once downtown, I will walk to Dallas City Hall and join the rest of my fellow employees with MetroCare for the final 5k walk. My total walk will be 16 miles come rain, shine, sleet or snow. For more information and how you can sponsor me, go to www.helpthehomelessdallas.org.

This article was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.