ROSE

prized possession : keys to family home

 

33 year-old Rose exudes a calm warmth as she shares her story.  “I am homeless for the third time,” she quietly confesses. Each stint of homelessness has its own unique catalyst. “The first time, I was a dumb kid, the second time it was because of a job.” This time it was a matter of the heart. “This time, I had a boyfriend. I allowed him to screw up every relationship with my family.” Still, she takes responsibility. “I allowed it. I could blame him, but I can’t. I’m done with him now though,” Rose shares. Surrounded by friends and her brother, also living on the streets, Rose feels homelessness has its ups and downs. “Homelessness has its good parts and bad parts. I can do whatever I want in the day. But I wake up every morning thinking about where I’ll lay my head at night.” 

 

Prized Possession: Rose mulls over this concept at length. “That’s a hard question,” she says. “It’s the set of keys at the bottom of my backpack (that) I hope to be able to use one day… the keys to my family’s house.” She fights back tears before continuing. “It’s hope. It’s something to hold on to.”