Real Stories: Meet Jennifer

by Mark Horvath · 2009-06-17 08:45:00 UTC
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For the last four years, Jennifer has lived on the streets of Skid Row. Most of that time she has been heavily addicted to drugs.

Getting clean is enormously challenging when you're living on the streets, particularly in an environment like Skid Row. The day we met Jennifer she had been sober for three months, but this wasn't her first attempt at sobriety. Last time, she was clean for 13 months, only to relapse on Christmas Day.

I asked Jennifer what she thinks the solution to homelessness is, and I think her response was spot on. She said it depends on the person. I admire Jennifer. She's courageous, tenacious, and optimistic. She is trying her best to survive through the absolute worst circumstances imaginable. 

When I asked Jennifer where she's from, she said a place where you don't see people sleeping on the streets. I wish that was true for all of us.

Jennifer from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.

Photo credit: Wm. Mac Salsberry

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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