A question I’m often asked is why would anyone choose to be homeless? Theres no one answer for this question. It seems the general consensus is often the drug addicted, mentally ill, family trauma or other life circumstances.

A group never mentioned are none of those, but highly educated people, often married with children, that represent a small percentage of the homeless population by choice.

An interesting retired social worker named Joan is one who chooses this lifestyle of homelessness. Joan left her family on the East Coast to move west where she did not know anyone for a “fresh start” as she describes it. Joan is in her early sixties.

She graduated college, married and found a position in her county as a social worker. In her career, Joan saw and assisted many families who struggled. Many she worked with struggled due to mental illness, addiction, child abuse or neglect. She worked with many providers and physicians for assistance with her caseload.

With her knowledge of social and societal challenges, she quickly made friends with many other homeless. Joan had a lunch time social hour where several homeless of many different backgrounds attended as she provided lunch. This would take place in parks. With her training she was able to listen, not judge and validated whatever it was they said regardless of the content. She was able to direct them to the proper clinic for any medical attention they might need. She was very kind and generous and always available for a chat. Joan developed quite a following.

Joan chose places to sleep where they were lights — often a bank drive through that was well lit. She had a sleeping bag she would try to camouflage around the plants and not be in direct light. Joan kept herself clean using water from fountains or hoses or where ever she could find it. She replaced her clothes from thrift shops as she had her pension to pay for them. She declined using any provider services or free lunches or any other government services. She felt those programs were for the needy, which she wasn’t. She was a very proud woman who took care of herself by herself.

I often wondered if her family knew where she was or how she was living. I never asked and she never mentioned them. I did have her family information on her chart. She never discussed them after her initial history and psychiatric evaluation. Based on that evaluation, there was no history or evidence of any mental disorder.

After quite a long time I asked Joan why she choose homelessness. Her answer was very precise and clear. She did not trust the government. I decided to respect her answer and not ask any questions based on her body language when she shared that information. And she did not offer any additional comments.

I no longer have any contact with Joan. I wonder how she is and if she’s ok. I also wonder about all the homeless I became friends with. I still hear once in awhile from some.

The impact for me in all my years of experience with this population has been such an education and gift at the same time. The difference they have made in my life is so much more than I have made in theirs.