Man who lived in outhouse describes awful realities of homelessness
Shaun is a 43-year-old man who is experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities.
He has suffered through terrible things while living on the streets. People have urinated on him, dumped out his food, stolen his money and clothes, and other evils.
“The hardest thing is when people pour water on me in the wintertime,” Shaun said. “The water freezes and I turn into a big icicle.”
Last winter, he spent many frigid nights inside a local bandshell. Other nights, he slept inside the only shelter he could find – a public outhouse.
“Some nights I cried out, ‘I’m cold! I’m freezing! Does anybody hear me?’” Shaun recalled.
His problems began several years ago while he was working as a cook in northern Minnesota. He lost the job and his apartment after becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, spending months bouncing between jails, hospitals, and mental health facilities. He attributes his problems to childhood sexual trauma caused by people outside of his family.
If you spoke to Shaun, you wouldn’t guess that he struggles with homelessness. He is well-spoken, kind, and intelligent, and he no longer uses drugs or alcohol. He just wants to live a normal life.
Turning Point
The Salvation Army met Shaun in August 2024 through a new Street Outreach program that allows our staff to search for local people experiencing homelessness and provide them with critical resources such as food, clothing, and shelter.
“When we find people who need help, we meet them where they are at, build rapport, show love, and offer help,” said Salvation Army caseworker Quita Curtis (pictured), who leads the Street Outreach program.
Quita first met Shaun in a laundromat whose gracious owner allowed him to shelter there during the day. She immediately began providing him with food, clothes, and bus passes. She is now helping him to secure an I.D., birth certificate, and Social Security card – all were stolen from him – so that he can move toward obtaining a job and housing.
Now that Shaun knows about The Salvation Army, he often stops by for encouragement.
“Every time I come to The Salvation Army, I get refreshed,” Shaun said. “They don’t care why I’m homeless and they don’t judge. They just want to help me.”
Shaun does not enjoy being homeless and he cannot change his past. He simply wants to be treated with respect as he tries to stabilize.
“If you meet somebody who is homeless, try to see them as a person and don’t be mean to them,” Shaun advises. “Ask them how they are doing today. Ask them if they need something, like food or socks. Be nice to them.”
This holiday season and throughout the year, The Salvation Army encourages everybody to Be the Light in somebody’s life by showing love, kindness, and empathy.
You can help right now by giving a donation or volunteering. Together, we can Be the Light.