August 2014

Today is the 69th week of making and delivering care bags for the homeless of Logan Square, Chicago. As of today, August 31, 2014, 368 care bags full of nutritious snacks, toiletries and assistance information have been delivered.

Roger showed interest again in wanting to go to the Revive Center for Housing and Healing.  I try not to get my hopes up, it depends on his mood that day.  I’ll take him and make introductions and wait for him to get interviewed and bring him back to his intersection.  Hopefully something good will happen from the meeting.  Its difficult not to daydream about something really wonderful happening to get him on his way off the street.  Its going to take a gentle hand with Roger.

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Today is the 68th week of making and delivering care bags for the homeless of Logan Square, Chicago. As of today, August 25, 2014, 363 care bags full of nutritious snacks, toiletries and assistance information have been delivered.

Thanks to Tim Wood for his generous donation this year that provided these care bags for the entire month of August.

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Today is the 67th week of making and delivering care bags for the homeless of Logan Square, Chicago. As of today, August 17, 2014, 358 care bags full of nutritious snacks, toiletries and assistance information have been delivered.

Michael talked to his father again today.  He and I spoke briefly today and I kept thinking I should have found more time today to make it a longer talk.  I’ll try to see him this week to follow up, I’d also like to interview him again to share his thoughts leading up to now.

Michael seemed like he wanted to talk.  Its one of my struggles in delivering these bags, Is today a good day to talk or not?  Its different for everybody I see during the deliveries.  Sometimes I get the sense they want to tell me something, ask for a little help or just happy to have an attentive audience.   Michael’s Father came by today with some money and discussion.  I told Michael his Father is connecting with him for his own sake as well as his and to be open to it.  He told me he doesn’t want to be “some loser son”.  To me its a good sign of wanting more in this life, a time for change.  Its inspiring to think about this relationship developing.  This could be the turning point for Michael.

I also saw James.  He is still using one of the signs I made.  His sign reads, “Homeless, what if it was you?.  I asked him how things were with the new sign.  James said, “it’s different”, people read the sign where they might not have before.  These guys can tell who is reading their signs, who is uncomfortable and who is making themselves look busy to avoid them.  They can also spot the people who want to help.  They can spot several cars back who is reaching for some money.

The entire month of August has has care bags paid for by Tim Wood (Big Woo) of Indiana, PA.

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Today marks 66 weeks of making and delivering care bags for the homeless of Logan Square, Chicago. As of today, August 10, 2014, 353 care bags full of nutritious snacks, toiletries and assistance information have been delivered.

Today I had a great conversation with Michael.  It was one of those meaningful conversations that I hope happens every time I deliver the care bags.  Hes in his late 20’s and panhandles in Logan square.  You can see his video interview here.  Michael met his biological father last week for the first time.  His father is a reformed skinhead, now in his 50’s and was in and out of prison for over 25 years.  I’m unsure what his crimes were but there was talk about bank robbery and manslaughter. Michael describes his father as a very large man, tattoos and has an undeniable presence about him.  At their first encounter, he came up to Michael on the street asking him if he knew “who Michael was”.   Imagine not knowing who or why this big guy is looking for you, but I’m sure his father knew he was speaking to his son.  His father had been searching for him in the previous weeks, making the effort to find Michael and reconnect with him. He obviously wants to help Michael and they discussed, he was in a similar place when he was Michael’s age, homeless, panhandling, and using drugs.  You could tell Michael was very happy to have this connection and hes open to the relationship.  I’m hopeful his father can provide a source for understanding and help.  Michael’s in a good place to heed his dads advice and learn from his fathers mistakes.  I hope this is the start of Michael getting off of heroin and a job with his father in construction.  Whatever the outcome to their meeting, Michael’s happy, open and optimistic.  What a great feeling for him to have in his pocket as they get to know each other.  Ill be keeping up with the situation and hopefully get to interview Michael’s father in the future.  The entire month of August has has care bags paid for by Tim Wood (Big Woo) of Indiana, PA.

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Today marks 65 weeks of making and delivering care bags for the homeless of Logan Square, Chicago. As of today, August 5, 2014, 348 care bags full of nutritious snacks, toiletries and assistance information have been delivered.

For the entire month of August, the care bags have been funded by Tim Wood, (Big Woo), Indiana, PA. Thanks to Tim for his very generous donation to care-bags.org!!! The man’s sign below says, “Smile…It wont hurt no one”…

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