SAN LUIS OBISPO: How Can We Be So Cruel?

[NOTICE: THIS WOMAN IS NOW STAYING IN THE SHELTER IN SLO]. 

SAN LUIS OBISPO: I know this 74 year old homeless woman from volunteering at the homeless shelter. I recently saw her on the street, where I stopped to talk to her. She told me she had recently gotten kicked out of the Maxine Lewis Memorial (homeless) shelter in SLO. She didn't know why they kicked her out.

Above: 74 year old mentally ill women put out on the street. Sleeps in Train Station upright in a chair for 3 nights in a row. Falls asleep one night, and falls on her face, badly cutting her nose. Yes, we all threw her out on the street. Shame.

I dropped everything so I could help her. I brought her to my house, and I spent a few hours calling all the shelters I knew of in SLO county - they were all full, or said they would not take her. (Shame on these shelters for turning her away too - certainly, exceptions can be made for a kind elderly woman living on the street? Yes, I know, I'm naive — but at least I'm not heartless).

The previous few nights away from the shelter, she spent the night in the SLO bus or railroad station (she wasn't clear which one). She stayed at the station because it is too dangerous for her to stay in the unregulated homeless camps in SLO (I agreed with that decision).

While sleeping in a chair at the station, she fell forward and hit her nose on the floor, which is where she got that cut on her face the day before (see PHOTO).

After many hours and many phone calls, she was able to get back into the CAPSLO shelter that night. IMHO, its NEVER right to kick a 74 year old woman out of a homeless shelter, except in the most extreme situations. I was able to find out why she was not able to continue to stay at the shelter; IMO, the reason they gave was not justifiable.

WE MUST DO BETTER PEOPLE. I've known this woman for years - she is sweet and kind and never a bother to anyone. To kick her out onto the street is plain disgraceful. 

SHAME ON ALL OF US, INCLUDING ME, FOR ALLOWING US TO BE SO COLD AND CRUEL. 

We must demand more and better from ourselves, our leaders, and our society.