Real Stories: Meet Gus

by Mark Horvath · 2009-07-09 16:01:00 UTC
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For Gus, Nickelsville is more than a tent city. It's a huge step up from the streets; a real community. He says it's the best thing that could have happened to him.

This may seem like a strange thing to say about a tent city, but those of you who have lived without a home may understand. Living on the streets is challenging. You have to constantly carry all of your belongings and watch every item you own. You're on your own; you fend for yourself. You have no sense of permanence, no support.

Where shelters have failed, tent cities like Nickelsville are succeeding. If the shelter system worked, tent cities would not be in existence. Instead, a small group of people are doing what the government, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations cannot, and for a lot less money! No wonder they keep getting bulldozed over.

Since I put up the last Nickelsville story they have been asked to move, again. On July 3rd they were giventwo weeks to prepare for eviction.

The future of the Nickelsville tent city depends on convincing Gov. Gregoire that the homeless shouldn't be evicted from state land. Please watch the last few Nickelsville stories and tell her today your opinion of Nickelsville. Call 800-562-6000 or e-mail govcommoffice@gov.wa.gov. You can also sign a petition for Nickelsville to be left in peace.

Gus from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.

Mark Horvath is an activist for the homeless. He vlogs at invisiblepeople.tv and blogs at hardlynormal.com. He was formerly homeless in Hollywood.
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