Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 10, 1990 TAG: 9007100394
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Directors of homeless shelters and agencies around the state say that while many people envision the homeless shivering in the cold, the weather in both summer and winter is only part of their problem.
"All giving tends to go down in the summer," said Steve Poulin, executive director of Richmond's Emergency Shelter Inc. "It's ironic for us, because the need is greatest in the summer."
Officials around the state say people generally donate food at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Gus Hall, director of Christ House in Alexandria, said they have to go to the churches and ask for donations in the summer.
"People don't think about [homelessness] as much in the summer, and there's not as much publicity," Hall said. "We talk about it a lot, but not a lot is done."
Alice Taylor, director of St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries in Norfolk, said churches traditionally see a decrease in contributions during June, July and August.
"I would wish to continue to make people aware that people are just as hungry in July as at Christmas," Taylor said.
Poulin said homelessness actually increases in the summer.
He said there are more evictions, and many times people are even evicted by family and friends.
"They're trying to start all over again," Poulin said. "A lot of times they will come here with unrealistic plans for living with relatives that they haven't seen for 20 years, or whatever plans they've made have fallen through."
He said that for many people being homeless is temporary, and many of them have low-paying jobs.
Raymond Byars, a homeless man, was one of about 50 people lingering at the Daily Planet shelter in Richmond on a hot day recently. The group seemed restless, but it was better than being out in the heat. Byars said being homeless in the summer is just as tough as being homeless in the winter.
"It's just colder [in the winter]," Byars said. "It's no different."
Byars, 30, originally from Fairfax County, said he does odd jobs such as roofing and car repairs, and is preparing to hitchhike to California with another homeless friend to find a job.
"I've had a very hard time since me and my wife split up," said Byars. "I lost my job. I worked hard as a carpenter. Now I make what I can make and sleep where I can sleep."
Sheila Crowley, executive director of the Daily Planet, a social service agency in Richmond, said there are more homeless families in the summer because they relocate after school gets out for summer vacation.
She said many families don't plan their moves, and end up without housing. And she said the media focuses on the homeless in the winter more often than in the summer.
Sue Capers, director of Virginia Coalition for the Homeless, a volunteer group, said children are out of school in the summer. Therefore, they lose their school lunches and the family loses child care, creating more burden on the families.
Byars said people are less compassionate toward the homeless when it's not the giving season.
"People get tired of seeing people on the streets, so it's a good thing for people to go to shelters," he said.
As for his own plans, Byars said, "Once I get out of here, I'll get back on my feet. I'm starting all over."
by CNB