It was perfect timing that I ran into Homeless Ian today. He was outside a grocery store across the street from the Library, the place I first saw and talked to him.
Before I left to check out the flea market today, I printed some slips to hand out promoting the free qriket app, which is part of my 30 day challenge to make money from it, with 7 days left to go. I was trying to step it up with the referrals since my challenge is coming close to an end and that 50% of the referral commissions would go toward helping Ian out.
After I finished at the library, I drove past the grocery store and saw Ian sitting outside . I stopped and walked toward him smiling, and immediately he lifted his hand and gestured to his heart, was happy to see me. I asked him how he was and he asked me the same. He thanked me for the lunch i gave him the other day. Even in his situation, I always find him cheerful.
I learned more about him, that his parents died, is an only child and has no children. He does have a few health issues as has trouble with his hearing, needs dental work and also has osteoporosis. I had asked him if he could use a bike, as I have available a spare one that I thought I could give him if he needed it. But he said he has trouble with his knees due to his osteoporosis so cannot ride a bike. Maybe I’ll sell or trade the bike for a smartphone for him.
He noticed the slips I had in my hand and asked if I got those ready for him. It’s a good thing I did because he said is great that he could hand them out for me, as knows a lot of people in the area as lived in it for over 30 years. He said he could make some copies at the library too. That gives him something to do in giving to people who ignore him thinking he just wants money. They can see is something free that would benefit themself as well as help him out.
With Ian’s hearing problem sometimes he doesn’t understand what I am saying so I cannot convey everything I want to him or get answers to more involved questions. When I asked him about a cell phone, he did say that he has one but it is in the pawn shop and has to pay $25 to get it out. It’s just a basic flip phone where he buys minutes for it and uses mainly for texting due to his hearing. He certainly needs a smartphone so that he could download the qriket app and use the free wifi around to use the internet as well. The only thing is when you are in a desperate homeless situation like him and money is scarce, it is tempting to pawn anything that is of value. I would have to do it in a way that gets him on his feet so he won’t need to do that.
While having a chance to talk more with him; he gave me his full name, email address and cell phone number as well. He’s just an open book, has nothing to hide. This way i can better stay in contact with him. And I need to know more things about his situation so I know how best to help him. Having his info makes it a lot easier to locate and stay in contact with him as I have quite a few things to go over with him in helping to improve his situation.
He mentioned that the center that found him a place, he is supposed to go look at it on August 11th. I thought that was the move-in date but I’m not sure and will have to ask him more about it, as may have misunderstood. I think it would be easier to discuss either through email or text, which now would have to be only email since his phone is at the pawn shop.
It would be interesting to learn how he got to the place in his life that he is now, as told me earlier he has been homeless for 5 years. When you think about it, it can happen to anyone if circumstances change drastically for the worse and you don’t have the support system to get you through the rough times. In my area, cost of living his high as rents are ridiculous, food prices have gone up and minimum wage is not high enough to offset cost of inflation. It’s easy to understand how a person can get into a desperate situation like Ian say if you lose your job or your income is not enough, maybe face some health issues or any other unexpected things. It’s something one has to think and plan ahead for, as you never know what can happen especially when you live paycheck to paycheck as many do.
If you would like to help Homeless Ian to get to a better place in his life, then please download the free qriket app from google play or app store and sign up with my referral code 322B50 to get 25 bonus spins that starts you earning money and having fun too. It doesn’t cost you anything and will help a homeless man. Please also share with your family and friends too, as more referrals means more can go toward helping Ian.
