Homelessness and Hope 3
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fairwoodsHOMELESSNESS: 'DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE'; Locals raise
awareness with 'One Night Without a Home'
Crum, Travis. The Charleston Gazette [Charleston, W.V] 17 Nov 2012: A.1.
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"It's not a problem that we're so far removed from that it can't happen to us," [Stephanie Hyre] said.
"A lot of us got a small taste of what that's like when the electricity went out a few weeks ago."
"Don't look as it as a handout. It's a 'hand-up,'" he said.
"People don't even acknowledge them," she said. "People can just smile and say 'hi' to people and it
could change someone's life. It can give them hope."
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Latisha Leftwich thought she would never be homeless. Then she experienced a series of financial
setbacks and had no choice but to live on the streets and in shelters for more than two years, she
said.
Leftwich, of Charleston, is now a homeowner who's fortunate enough to give back to those who helped
her. And she's quick to warn others who think they are safeguarded from homelessness.
"It can strike anytime and it can strike anyone," Leftwich said. "Homelessness does not discriminate."
Leftwich and others volunteered with the Kanawha Valley Collective's annual "One Night Without a
Home" event Thursday at Magic Island. It was held during National Hunger and Homelessness
Awareness Week.
Volunteer Stephanie Hyre said the event was held to raise awareness about homelessness by asking
participants to camp out overnight. Free food, hot chocolate and a bonfire were offered to anyone who
wanted it.
Those who camped outside experienced what about 800 West Virginians go through without a home
every night, she said.
"It's not a problem that we're so far removed from that it can't happen to us," Hyre said. "A lot of us
got a small taste of what that's like when the electricity went out a few weeks ago."
Hyre said homelessness is affecting a growing number of families who are struggling to find work in
the Kanawha Valley.
Joe Barker and his daughter, Alicia Leyda, both of Charleston, said they never thought homelessness
would affect them like it did.
Barker is a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War who had a home and car before going homeless a
few years ago. Leyda was a student at Marshall University when she hit rock bottom.
Together, they sought help with Kanawha Valley Collective programs and Charleston shelters to get on
their feet. Leyda, a mother of two, said seeking help gave her children a future. They are both taking
classes at Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College.
Barker said sometimes homeless people are afraid to seek help, especially veterans who are returning
from overseas.
"Don't look as it as a handout. It's a 'hand-up,'" he said.
But there's a stigma about homelessness, said volunteer Felicia Roark. Many Charleston residents go
out of their way to avoid those living on the street.
"People don't even acknowledge them," she said. "People can just smile and say 'hi' to people and it
could change someone's life. It can give them hope."
Roark and fellow volunteer Jennifer Starcher handed out bags and other items Friday night. They had
planned to visit known homeless campgrounds around the city.
Noah, of Charleston, said he's been living under a bridge along the Kanawha River near Spring Street
for two months. He and nine others live in a makeshift campsite, he said.
"We try to watch out for one another," Noah said, "and bring back food for those that can't get out and
get it for themselves."
Homeless people, he said, are just like anybody else who have fallen on hard times.
chris dorst | Saturday Gazette-Mail photos Noah Wiley adds more wood to the fire he helped build in
the fire barrels at Magic Island Friday night for the One Night Without a Home, an annual event meant
to raise awareness about homelessness and hunger.
Psychology student Jennifer Starcher puts together care bags of toiletries, snacks and other items to
be handed out during the event. Starcher is a student at Kanawha Valley Community and Technical
College. Reach Travis Crum at [email protected] or 304-348-5163.
Credit: Travis Crum Staff writer
Word count: 588
Copyright Charleston Newspapers Nov 17, 2012
Indexing (details)
Cite
People
Leftwich, Latisha, Hyre, Stephanie, Barker, Joe, Leyda, Alicia, Starcher, Jennifer
Title
HOMELESSNESS: 'DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE'; Locals raise awareness with 'One Night Without a
Home'
Author
Crum, Travis
Publication title
The Charleston Gazette
First page
A.1
Publication year
2012
Publication date
Nov 17, 2012
Year
2012
Section
News
Publisher
Charleston Newspapers
Place of publication
Charleston, W.V.
Country of publication
United States
Publication subject
General Interest Periodicals--United States
Source type
Newspapers
Language of publication
English
Document type
News
ProQuest document ID
1170876901
Document URL
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Copyright
Copyright Charleston Newspapers Nov 17, 2012
Last updated
2012-11-19
Database
ProQuest Newsstand
