Jerry was carrying a blanket under his arm, and the look on his face was that of hopelessness! The moment I saw Jerry I knew he was homeless.
Jerry told me that family conflict caused him to leave where he was staying. Jerry thought he could make it but admits that homelessness takes more than you think it does!
We have a Silver Tsunami coming as the boomer generation enters their senior years. The 2008 recession has destroyed the possibility of a comfortable retirement for many, and once seniors are no longer able to work or are employable, there is no safety net to keep the boomer generation out of homelessness. In the next 10 years, maybe sooner, the “Silver Tsunami” will tax our already hurting social services system to the point of collapse.
I don’t think we can say anyone demographic of homelessness is worse or better than another. All homelessness is horrible. Not sure if it’s because I am getting older or that there is a very good chance I will face my own homelessness again as I get older, but stories like Jerry’s mess me up!
