1/24 - Surviving the cold......

It is Monday afternoon and finally getting some computer time at the library.

I was lucky enough on both Saturday and Sunday to get a 'one-night' emergency bed in Cambridge and we will see what tonight brings. I still can't re-apply for another 2 week bed until Thursday and even then there is no guarantee of getting one right away as there seems to be ten applicants for every available slot.

The 2 week bed is important not only for the piece of mind of not having to worry, but more importantly having a place to put belongings. Lugging around a suitcase all day (especially in this weather) is a chore and it makes it that much harder to set up appointments as to be honest there is a stigma attached to walking around with bags all day. Since storage lockers no longer exist it just adds to the 'fun and games'.

Logistics of these offices are almost comical.
Cambridge Housing is in Central Square at Mass and Prospect so that is easy, and some of the other housing advocate agencies are only a block or two away. No problems there.

Social Security has moved to Fresh Pond leaving their long time home in Davis Square. It can be reached by the 74 or 78 buses, and I have found the mobile website mbtainfo.com to be a life saver in catching a return bus in the winter. It is very accurate.

For services provided by the Commonwealth, one has to go to the Davis Square office, which is no longer in Somerville, it is in Revere. It is on the Blue Line and the office is at the Revere Beach Station but it is a hike.

One laughable part is that the Commonwealth gives the homeless 'food stamps' (about $40 a week) but what good are stamps if you have no place to prepare the meal? (I have $265 on my card right now - but)

California DOES allow for a restaurant to accept food stamps which would be a huge help.

Today I really didn't get much done as it was simply too cold.

Cambridge does offer services and the staff is wonderful but they are just overwhelmed...

Here is a link of what is offered by the City of Cambridge..

They also publish this

 Homeless Resource Guide (PDF)





The one thing that has kept me going is just meeting others my age who have also fallen through the cracks. Men and women who have worked all their lives but for whatever reason lost the place they called home.

Anyhow my time at the library is up..... thanks for reading and STAY WARM!!!!!