Homeless man explains his life on the street
By GILLIAN SLADE on December 21, 2019.
medicine@MHNGillianSlade Four years ago he spent his first night on the street and slept in a public toilet. Buttons, not his real name to protect his privacy, says that night he walked to Kin Coulee and slept in a port-o-potty. It started when be lost his job, could not pay his rent and was then evicted. He was homeless all that winter, later sleeping at the emergency shelter. The worst day of the week while living on the street was Sundays, said Buttons. Not many businesses or facilities are open and if it is cold you are consumed by just trying to stay warm until the library opens in the afternoon, he said. “It’s tiring. You carry your stuff with you. I had two pairs of clothing and food,” said Buttons, noting there is no break from it all. He does some calculating and says he has been homeless off and on for a total of two years. Trying to get a job again is always the challenge. Buttons says Medicine Hat Community Housing Society has helped him a lot. They helped him secure housing and helped him apply for financial assistance. Along with the homelessness came a sense of despair and depression. Buttons says MHCHS helped him get a family doctor and that led to getting help. “It made me feel really good,” said Buttons. Buttons regularly attends the Oasis Cafe at The Mustard Seed on Allowance Street on Thursday mornings. “Interacting with people is good. It feels like a support group,” said Buttons. Having experienced living on the street, he says it means so much to have an opportunity to have a hot coffee and warm up. He would like the public to know how much it is appreciated if someone is willing to buy someone in his situation a coffee. Employment has been episodic for Buttons and he is currently unemployed. 16-15
