Survival Stories from the Streets of Oakland

Story and interviews by Janny Castillo

The life stories of homeless seniors who have survived life on the hard streets of Oakland are a marvelous mixture of happiness, sorrow, joy, faith, tragedy, renewal and, above all, hope for the future.

Click names to read their testimonials - Kory Kacere, Erskine Murphy, Joseph Clemons, Leon Harris, Darlene Thomas, Allene Smith, Vincent Chelucci, and Jania Gaines Cox.

From Vietnam to Dogtown

Kory Kacere

A Vietnam veteran ends up living under a freeway in an encampment called Dogtown by its homeless inhabitants. Then an angel entered his life.

In 1970 Kory was stationed in Danang, Vietnam as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corp. Nine years later he lost his job working as an airport security guard in San Francisco. Losing his job started a downward spiral which resulted in 25 years  of homelessness.

Kory’s security job paid him $3.15 an hour and barely kept a roof over his head. After losing it, he had to move into his friend’s garage and entered an environment that was ruled by drugs. It did not take long for Kory to start using.

His life continued to decline when he lost his wife because of his drug use and the task of finding work became increasingly difficult, especially work that would earn him enough to pay rent. For the next 20 plus years Kory stayed in abandoned buildings living off of General Assistance (GA) $500 a month ($300 in cash, $200 in food stamps). “Then in 1996 they kicked us all off welfare.” He said.  “They said it was time to get a job.”

In Kory’s opinion, that’s when his life really got rough. For many years, St. Vincent’s Dining Hall was Kory’s only source of food. Kory and hundreds of others ate in the dining hall that opened its doors only once a day. Kory would eat and then take a bag lunch that sustained him until the next day.

“St. Vincent’s is not what it used to be.” Kory said, “They are not getting donations like they used to, they give us what they have and that usually means no meat.” Kory took up residence in West Oakland under a freeway encampment called Dogtown by the inhabitants. He lived there so long - people on the street nicknamed him Mayor of Dogtown. One of the scariest moments occurred when in broad daylight, Kory was nearly attacked by ten youth with sticks and boards. He escaped by running for his life.

Then an angel came into his life. Her name was Suzanna. She had seen Kory on the streets for a long time. She approached him and asked if she could cut his hair. He said yes, and thus began a friendship that has endured to this day. Suzanna offered to let Kory sleep in her back cottage and, if he wanted she could help him fill out papers to get SSI. “She’s a nice Christian lady.” Kory said.

Nowadays, he receives $850 a month of which more than half goes to paying rent for a two bedroom cottage he found just down the street from Suzanna. Does he run out of food and money before the end of month? Every time – He is grateful for the services he receives at St. Mary’s and St. Vincent De Paul. His last words were, “You need to be nice to get along in the world, but sometimes you have to be tough just to get by.”

The Long Loneliness

Erskine Murphy (top)

Erskine was homeless for three years, sleeping where he could on the streets of Oakland. "It's terrible. I just felt alone in the world with no one to turn to."

In 2003, Erskine had to leave a subsidized unit, and not knowing that he could request a transfer from the housing authority, he left the unit and lost his subsidy. Erskine was homeless for three years, sleeping where he could on the streets of Oakland. “Its terrible” He said, “I just felt alone in the world with no one to turn to.”

He freelanced as a house painter but the work was not reliable. Erskine was exposed to the elements as well as the violence of the streets. One mugging sent him to Highland Hospital for brain surgery. “Highland saved my life.” he said, “That’s a fantastic hospital.” Erskine still goes to Highland to help him with his seizures He also goes to a clinic in East Oakland that helps him with his health needs. Due to his long bout with alcoholism, his appetite fluctuates drastically and it is hard for him to eat regularly. When his money runs out he takes advantage of the free places to eat in the area. He filed the application for SSI himself, was approved and now receives $820 a month from SSI and with St. Mary’s housing assistance pays $400 a month to rent an Oakland SRO.

Tragically Bad Medical Care

Joseph Clemons (top)

"I have faith in the good Lord, but right now I don't even know where I am going to live and how I am going to deal with this health crisis."

One night last week at 4:30 a.m., Joseph woke up in severe pain. He felt like he was being eaten alive by bed bugs. After a year in an Oakland hotel room paying $565 a month living in deplorable conditions, he could not take it any more. He left the next day and is now homeless staying in a shelter.

“I am not going to last there.” Joseph says, speaking of the shelter. “I came back from the hospital, and I needed to eat because I had taken medication for a virus, but because I came in late, I was denied food.”

Joseph is a diabetic and has bronchial asthma, but an incident about two years ago nearly killed him. “I was standing in line at Highland picking up my inhaler and I coughed so hard that my intestines came through my stomach.” Joseph said, “I was rushed to surgery and a doctor put them back in and then sent me home.” That night Joseph was woken up by the police who were there to escort him back to the hospital. A terrible mistake had been made, his intestines were put in wrong and his appendix had died. Correcting the mistake turned into long ordeal for Joseph.

Two years later he still has not gotten the operation to correct the problem. “They are scared to operate because I might die on the table.” He said. It’s a risk he is willing to take because living in his condition is extremely painful and along with his other health challenges which include diabetes and a heart condition, life for him is unbearable at times.

Joseph has attempted to get the surgery four times.  He has shown up for his surgery appointment and each time Highland turned him away. “They tell me they don’t have my paperwork so they can’t operate.” Each time he has refrained from eating for hours which is dangerous for a diabetic. He has little faith in his doctor who Joseph feels did not stand up for him when the surgeon made such a terrible mistake. “His first responsibility is to his patients and he should have made this right.” He said.

An Alta Bates doctor saw Joseph’s x-ray and was astounded at what he saw. He told Joseph that his condition was very bad and he needed to take the x-rays to Highland and tell them they must operate immediately. Joseph did just that but Highland did not react as expected, urgently taking care of Joseph - they did schedule him for another operation.

Through all this strife, Joseph keeps his head up. “I stay around Christian based people to help keep me out of trouble.” Joseph said, “I have faith in the good Lord, but right now I don’t even know where I am going to live and how I am going to deal with this health crisis.”

A Little Help from His Friends

Leon Harris (top)

"I depend on St. Mary's and St. Vincent's to get me through."

Leon considers himself self-sufficient. “I am 70 years old and was born in Monroe, LA.” Leon said.  Leon receives $800 a month from SSI and pays half of that for a small room in West Oakland. He does not have kitchen facilities so a large portion of the rest of his money goes to eating outside of the home. “Almost every day I go to McDonald’s for breakfast.” Leon said. He has lunch and dinner at St. Mary’s.

On the weekends when St. Mary’s is closed, he usually spends $10 a meal to feed himself. “I depend on St. Mary’s and St. Vincent’s to get me through.” He said. Another chunk of his income is washing clothes at the local Laundromat. For his health needs he goes to the Over 60 Clinic where he says he gets good service.

The Mayor of St. Mary's

Darlene Thomas (top)

"I would have died had I had to live on the streets. St. Mary's found shelter for me and now I am just trying to give back."

Darlene lives in a small studio with a two burner stove and no oven. “We have roaches.” She said, “And a two foot refrigerator that can’t hold much.” More than half her income goes to rent. “I’d have to pay more for my own bathroom.” She said, shaking her head.

Darlene runs out fresh food before the second week. “I would like to buy more fruits and vegetables but it doesn’t fit in the fridge, on top of that I run out of money pretty quick.” Darlene eats lunch at St. Mary’s and then cooks at home in the evening. After the money runs out, Darlene usually gets an emergency food box from St. Mary’s. “It’s mostly canned goods, not fresh food but its something to eat until next month.”

“What we need is REAL affordable housing.” Darlene said.  “Its way too expensive for seniors on fixed incomes. What I mean by affordable housing is something more like $200 a month instead of $400 or $500.”

Darlene suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. Earlier this year she had to change medical plans. She used to get her medicine for free but now she has to pay $15. “But there are seniors who are paying a lot more every month” For health care, she goes to the East Oakland Wellness Center. “It’s a long way to go, but I have my bus pass.” she said. Eight months ago, after she ended up in the hospital with respiratory problems, she made a decision to quit smoking. She has not had a cigarette since.

Darlene is known as the mayor of St. Mary’s because she is at the center when it opens and is usually the last one to leave. “I would have died had I had to live on the streets. St. Mary’s found shelter for me and now I am just trying to give back.”

Darlene is real proud of her social justice work. Last year, she worked alongside Alameda County Food Bank to help pass legislature to preserve breakfast for school age children and to get corner stores to sell fresh vegetables.

Her Only Home Was a Car

Allene Smith (top)

Allene and her son moved to the Bay Area from Kansas, believing a friend had a place for them to stay. It never materialized. Allene was forced to live in her car for more than a year.

Allene feels loneliest when she is not feeling well and can’t leave the house. “I’ve been homeless, but right now I feel next to homeless.” Allene said. She sublets a room for $500 in someone’s house. “I don’t feel like I have my own place. I would love to have a place where I could have bible study and have my close friends from church come and visit me.” She said, “Right now I don’t feel comfortable having my son over.” Allene receives $860 a month from disability.

Allene and her son moved to the Bay Area from Kansas under the assumption that a friend had a place for them to stay. It never materialized. Allene was forced to live in her car for more than a year. “I tried to get housing and section 8 but it never worked out.” It was an embarrassing situation for her. Her son found a job working at a restaurant and he often helped his mother by bringing her food.

Allene suffers from diabetes and chronic pain due to a nerve disease. She goes to the West Oakland Health Clinic for her medical needs. The new medical plan has caused her medication to increase from free to $73. She praises Health Net who delivers much needed diabetic supplies for free.

After a three month stay in the hospital, she was released with a prescription that was crucial to her recovery. She had no money; she went without the medicine and her insulin for three weeks. She became very ill and after many phone calls her doctor was able to help Allene get her medicine at a reduced cost.

In 2002 Allene was featured in San Francisco Chronicle Article entitled “New Faces of Homelessness.”

The Kindness of Strangers

Vincent Chelucci (top)

Vincent remembers the kindness of strangers who would feed him when he was reduced to begging for food.

Vincent is 56 years old. He was homeless between 1968 until 1971. Vincent said it was hard living in People’s Park in Berkeley. He remembers the kindness of strangers who would feed him when he was reduced to begging for food. One day a stranger told him he could find help at an organization called the Hillel Street Project which is now known as BOSS (Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency).

BOSS helped Vincent apply and get on SSI. His first permanent housing was a room at the Pasand Hotel. He now lives in a similar situation in Oakland. He has a microware, stove and a refrigerator but because more than half his money goes to rent, he runs out before the third week. When he gets sick he goes to Summit and Alta Bates hospital.

Vincent volunteers at St. Mary’s and is taking classes on Leadership. “I want to learn to talk to people who have gone through what I have gone through. I want to help make life better for them.” He believes that what the city of Oakland really needs is true affordable housing.

Vincen makes ends meet by eating lunch and dinner at St. Mary’s. “Living in SRO’s is better than living on the streets.” he said.

Raising a Baby in Poverty

Jania Gaines Cox (top)

Jania is a happy baby. She does not notice how hard her mother works to take care of her. If we would demand that affordable housing is built, her chances for survival increase significantly.

Jania is a happy baby. She does not notice how hard her mother works to take care of her. If we would demand that affordable housing is built, her chances for survival increase significantly.

In November, Jania will be three years old. She lives in a two-bedroom apartment in a crime ridden neighborhood in West Oakland. Her mother has two low-paying jobs and works 6 days sometimes 7 days a week. Jania and her mom Naomi live in poverty.

Naomi has applied for AFDC and food stamps and was denied. Since Jania was born Naomi has submitted numerous applications for subsidized housing with no results. Naomi wants to go back to school but having to take care of a baby and keep a roof over their heads, finding time for school is difficult.

Jania is a happy baby. She does not notice how hard her mother works to take care of her basic needs. She also does not know that when her mother was 6 years old she was homeless. Naomi’s parents fell on really hard times, and for 4 years Naomi, her parents and her three younger brothers lived in motels and shelters.

Naomi and Jania’s situation is not unique. Many families live on the edge, where the loss of wages or an unexpected health crisis can drop a family into homelessness. With hard work and grace Naomi and Jania might make it.

If our community would stand together and demand that true affordable housing become a reality, their chances for survival increase significantly.

STREET SPIRIT
1515 Webster St,#303
Oakland, CA 94612Phone: (510) 238-8080, ext. 303
email: spirit@afsc.org

© 2002-2006 STREET SPIRIT. All rights reserved. - Published by American Friends Service Committee