‘I fear I will die’: Homeless Modesto residents struggle to find housing | Opinion
Homeless resident struggles to find housing
“Hey, Turlock residents: We need a morality check on homelessness | Opinion,” (modbee.com, May 13)
I am currently experiencing homelessness, and I need housing. I have scheduled appointments to seek out housing, but have been met with multiple cancelations and postponements.
I wondered if there was a church that could help me, so I asked a congregant to put me in touch with her pastor. The answer I was given was “no.”
If God is trying to reach me and teach me patience, I am failing. I fear I will die before I receive God’s loving, healthy housing. I am concerned about myself.
Gary Nicholas
Modesto
Where can I take my son?
“Hey, Turlock residents: We need a morality check on homelessness | Opinion,” (modbee.com, May 13)
Why is it that there is no place in all of Modesto — and maybe even all of Stanislaus County — that will help a homeless dad and his son? The shelter doesn’t allow minors, the Mission says they help, but the calls I have made have not been returned.
I tried to show up there, but I was told to leave. So what option do I have?
There seems to be zero resources for a guy in my situation or if you are under 18. Why is there no place in Modesto that I can take my son to get off the street, to sleep or get something to eat?
Christopher Freeman
Modesto
Religious leader’s take on Trump’s immigration policies
“Refugee families face crisis in Stanislaus County housing,” (modbee.com, Jan. 30)
Patricia Marvel, from Venezuela, is one of the thousands of immigrants who are not allowed to enter our country due to President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. She feels trapped in Mexico, living in a small one-room shack with her three children. Her partner works at a carpenter’s shop, earning just enough to buy rice and tortillas but not enough to afford diapers for their baby, Siena.
Often, they go to bed hungry. Patricia is so desperate that she has considered asking a neighbor to take one of her children so they can have enough food to eat. She feels profoundly sad and says, “If I could leave one of them, I would, but I just can’t.” She has even contemplated suicide.
I wonder how those who consider Trump’s immigration enforcement a “success” would feel if they were in the shoes of those immigrants denied entry at the border. It can be convenient to forget the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated.
Jesus says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” Only love and compassion will conquer indifference to the suffering of those most in need.
Fr. Misael Avila
Turlock
Avoidable water rescues
“Water rescues in Stanislaus highlight summer dangers,” (modbee.com, May 26)
As we embark on our first weekend of summer, I read of numerous water rescues on the Stanislaus River. How many warnings do people need to understand that they cannot get into the rivers — particularly this time of year when the water is running high and cold?
It was by chance a number of the rescues occurred at all just because the Rescue Teams were nearby.
If, in fact, you need to be rescued due to your lack of common sense, you should be billed by the Rescue Teams that save you. Maybe then you will learn.
Donna Thomspon
Patterson