Both of “Anonymous G’s” parents died leaving him without a stable family, he’s chronically homeless and nearly blind, but CHATT Foundation officials say he is not beyond help or housing.
Anonymous G, the name a homeless man gave himself, represents an estimated 350 people who sleep on sidewalks every night in the area and another 3,000 homeless sleeping in shelters and on the couches of friends and family members.
The “Center for Homeless Advancement for Today and Tomorrow” also known as the CHATTFoundation wants to help. It partners with area agencies to provide housing, free laundry services, three meals a day, respite for people who are ill, emergency shelter and health care. It also provides the Maclellan Shelter for Families to temporarily house children and their guardians.
“It helps, but it’s not enough,” said Baron King, the foundation’s CEO.
Anonymous G said he’s been homeless off and on throughout his adult life.
The ChattFoundation provides him a central location for food and fellowship, but when it closes in the evening, he’s back on the street.
On June 4th, 2024, I spent over 45 minutes outside the CHATTFoundation where I spoke to multiple residents of the area. One of the residents I spoke to stuck out to me. Anonymous G has multiple illnesses like glaucoma, ocular cancer, cataracts, and astigmatism in his right eye, which makes it extremely hard for him to see. At the age of 18 months both of his parents died unexpectedly, leaving him without a stable family for the remainder of his life. Anonymous G told us that he lived a good childhood, and was an athlete in college; he played sports like baseball and basketball and joined two football clubs. When asked why he was home[1]less, he said that he didn’t even have to be homeless, and that life on earth isn’t a picnic walk, but a spiritual battle.
Living on the streets can be a stressful experience. On the night before the interview, G was assaulted at night by an unknown stranger. Anonymous G doesn’t trust a lot of people, claiming that a lot of people are rude, robbing, and conniving. Asked if he had a plan for the future, he responded that “there’s no plan here if you’re living by faith”. Anonymous G is a spiritual man who believes in Jesus Christ, it’s because of his faith that keeps him going.
By Tyson Armour, Age 16, STEM School
Camp REACH journalism student
(Camp REACH is a program of the Mary Walker Foundation