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Homeless people share their outlook
on Christmas

Three of Portland's homeless recognize Christmas as a celebration of Jesus and as a time to be with family. However, for many, Jesus and family are both distant entities, which gives the holidays a hollow ring.

Michael sat alone, leaning against a brick wall adjacent to the Skidmore Fountain. His unkempt hair protruded from his hat and an overgrown beard surrounded a mouth with one, yellow upper tooth showing.

Michael will spend Christmas on the street, but being homeless isn't a big deal, he claims. For him, it's just a phase in life. He's been off and on the streets and said homelessness isn't always a matter of ambition. He said these days people can't make enough money to have a car and house, and so they can't get better jobs.

Michael defines Christmas as a celebration of Jesus but in reality, he just sees the holidays as being a time when people are more likely to smile, say "Hi" or give some spare change as they walk by. His true hope is not in Jesus but in "looking for a break."

Giving and receiving gifts is a part of the holidays and also everyday life for Michael. He said God provides for his needs, and other people give him things as well. He said he doesn't like getting handouts; he'd rather do odd jobs for money. But, he said, "When you're broke, you swallow your pride."

He said his greatest gift from God was a brand new pack of cigarettes in a leather pouch, which he found on the street. He said in situations like this, he sees God providing for his needs.

Along with God helping him, he said fellow homeless friends also share with one another. He said people who have a pack of cigarettes give them away. Before they know it, they have none left for themselves.

Mainly, he said, those on the street support each other with verbal encouragement. He said he's seen people get so depressed that they never make it off the streets. So, he said, he encourages people and gives moral advice. Sitting next to him is a sign reading "Spiritual guidance and personal readings $2."

A few steps ahead of Michael in her quest to living a self-supported life is June. June is dressed neatly with her white hair styled. She wears a patch over one eye due to a recent surgery on her eye.

She lives at Shepherd's Door, a women's home affiliated with the Portland Rescue Mission. The transitional shelter teaches homeless women skills they need to support themselves.

On the topic of holidays, June said that even though too much emphasis is on Santa Claus, she doesn't have a problem with giving lots of Christmas gifts. She said as long as the motive behind giving is right, give as many gifts as you want. She would love to be one of those people who walks out of the mall with bags and bags of presents.

After a pause, her tone changed. She said about Christmas time, "I'd just assume it pass."

She said that for her, the holiday season is not a time of smiles but of depression. The season brings with it loneliness, June said, as she remembers past Christmases with her family. She was used to entertaining family, shopping and participating in all the holiday festivities.

Now at the Shepherd's Door, she finds herself trying to adjust to spending holidays alone. She is separated from her three grown children and all other family.

She said her goal for future Christmases is to have a job and the money to shop again, and most importantly, be able to spend her holidays with her family again.

Also living at Shepherd's Door is Nakia. Nakia is a young, stylish woman pregant with her second child.

For Nakia, Christmas is all about her energetic 20-month-old son, Isaiah. Last year before she lived at the home, Nakia and Isaiah were living in an apartment. At Christmas, someone sponsored them through a Christmas gift program. They both received clothes, and Isaiah also received some toys and trinkets.

Nakia said the gifts helped out, but she said receiving donated gifts wasn't the same as being able to buy gifts.

This Christmas, people will donate gifts to the women and children at Shepherd's Door. Nakia realizes Isaiah is getting to the age when he's going to want presents to open Christmas morning. So, while she looks forward to the plush Christmas they will both have this year, she longs for a job and the means to be able to buy her son gifts herself.

For those who want to get a peek at homelessness at Christmas, June said to volunteer at a downtown shelter. She has done this with her children and found it's a great way not only to see how people are living but also to help. Michael said helping a homeless person isn't easy. He said to start by befriending one person at a time. He said he finds joy when someone smiles at him, says hello or gives him some spare change.

Michael sits alone as one by one, the hours of the day go by.

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