The Dept. of Homeless Services HOPE 2009 project went down last night. HOPE stands for the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate. The purpose being to create a point in time estimate of the homeless people living in the city so that services can be given to the areas that need it the most.
I participate in the survey every year because I consider myself on the cusp of homelessness. Bigger than living paycheck to paycheck is also the sense that if I needed shelter I would have no place to turn. That isn’t actually the case, but I like to act like it is so that I stay on my grizzly and I remain thankful for all the things that I do have. Can you even fathom someone living outdoors during this time of year? These are nights not fit for man nor beast.
I took on the role of team leader with my surveying group since I was the only one with the gift of gab. You have to know how to approach people in the ‘hood at 2am. As Chris Rock has previously identified most folks on the streets at 2am are up to no good. You don’t want to jump out on folks on some funny style shit because you will get nathan. Maybe some crazy eyes, but mostly nathan.
In the middle of our survey they base office sent a press team out to watch us complete the survey. They were like a bunch of folks who moved to New York City from Iowa. Even the Black dude from NY1 News who grew up in St. Albans seemed to be a bit of a greenhorn. No disrespect to the brother’s naivete because that is what you get when you leave the ‘hood to go to college and better yourself.
At least the brother was kind enough to put me in his segment that they broadcast. If you live or work in New York City you might should want to turn on your TV to channel 1. I get my Obama stump speech on where I tell people why they should feel a sense of obligation to volunteer for endeavors like HOPE 2009, or anything that is community related. Finally we have overcome Black people. The news is now featuring African Americans that have some intelligent shit to say.
