NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Bobby Moore, is homeless for the first time in his life and says the stigma and shame has been all encompassing.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Part two of a two-part series. Read part one here
A local homeless man says the overnight shelter staff are kind and welcoming but if you want a “peaceful” night then outside is your best choice.
Bobby Moore, 42, who has had no income since January and has been homeless in Medicine Hat since June, says the shelter means sharing a room with eight other strange men who are “snoring and farting” all night. The light is also on all night for security reasons. Moore says a chance to sleep outside means a “peaceful” night for him.
Medicine Hat police recently cleared out an “encampment” of homeless people in a garage for employees at Chinook Place, located next door to St. Barnabas Church. Moore was one of those people.
He says a young man sheltering there that cold and snowy night did not have an appropriate jacket on and was hypothermic and needed to shelter in the stairwell of the building. Moore says he was charged and will have to appear in court in December.
Moore recognizes people tend to be afraid of the homeless in some cases due to a bad experience. He says it is a cry for love because bad attention is better than no attention at all.
Moore is homeless for the first time in his life and it has resulted in him feeling embarrassed and ashamed, he says.
“It’s the hole of poverty and the stigma of homelessness covers you,” said Moore, noting he feels everyone looks at him and knows his circumstances.
He’s had a variety of jobs, owned homes and vehicles. A marriage ended and then a relationship with the mother of his daughter also broke-up. He’s had a lot of debt, a struggle with an addiction to alcohol but he’s not had a drink now for eight months.
Moore says when the relationship with his partner and his little girl failed, he no longer cared about work and fell into a depression. He says he uses drugs sometimes socially.
Moore was born in London, Ont., but his parents divorced when he was about two and he came to Alberta. He moved to Toronto when he was 23 and has varied employment experience including carpentry, welding, oil and gas industry, he’s been a realtor and a property manager.
Moore says he and other homeless people head to the food bank first thing in the morning where they are welcomed and can sit around a table and have breakfast and coffee. Moore says it is a gathering place where they can talk and counsel each other in an environment where they do not feel judged.
“The kindest acts I have seen are from homeless people,” said Moore.
He wishes people would stop and talk … show an interest in him.
“Believe me the homeless man knows he’s hated and shamed,” said Moore. “Everybody knows you’re one of those.”
There is no money for a haircut so he shaves his head from time to time and lets the hair grow back.
“I’ve had to stand back and take a good look at myself. How did I get here?” said Moore. “Instead of beating myself up I’m going to re-evaluate myself.”
Trying to get another job is difficult. All his possessions go with him in two bags to an interview sending an immediate message to the interviewer. Moore says the questions start off with trying to determine where he lives and what he’s been doing the past few months.
Moore says he needs love and hope and would love a potential employer to say he is not worthless and give him an opportunity.
The need for help goes beyond employment though, said Moore. If someone has been homeless for a long time they’ll need assistance to sustain that job and that will include psychological help.
“People who are homeless need to be taught how to live again and even the simple daily tasks such a washing dishes and cleaning,” said Moore.
