Category: Faces of Homelessness

Chi Town Blankets is trying to keep the homeless community warm one blanket at a time

Chi Town Blankets is trying to keep the homeless community warm one blanket at a time
It’s winter in Chicago. Most of us know how to deal with the cold conditions. We dress in layers, heavy winter jackets, hats, gloves, boots. We also spend a majority of our time inside. What if your life makes that an impossibility. What if you are spending the day outside? What if you’re sleeping outdoors?... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
December 11, 2019 at 6:30 am • 

Seattle Seahawks star Bobby Wagner makes it a happy Thanksgiving for his community

Seattle Seahawks star Bobby Wagner makes it a happy Thanksgiving for his community
Like many major U.S. cities, Seattle has a homelessness problem. More than 12,000 people are living on the streets, shelters or temporary housing. Seattle Seahawks’ star linebacker Bobby Wagner is now in his eighth season with the team. He’s a five time All-pro, a key member of their 2013 Super Bowl championship team and looks... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
December 2, 2019 at 8:24 am • 

Taxes, cancer, a play and gratitude

Taxes, cancer, a play and gratitude
April 15, 197something. Tax day! I’m old school or maybe just old? I go back to the days before Al Gore invented the internet. You had to have your tax returns postmarked on this day OR ELSE! Scary AF! I remember driving downtown to the main Chicago post office. The cars would get in a queue. You... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
April 16, 2019 at 8:59 am • 
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Volunteer of the year

Volunteer of the year
Tonight is the third annual edition of The Homeless Monologues, at the Goodman Theater, in Chicago. This story shows how with a little help, you can overcome a terrible situation and come away with enough gratitude that you want to help others avoid what you went through. This is my trophy. Look at how shiny... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
April 15, 2019 at 7:45 am • 

I hope my story will have a happy ending

I hope my story will have a happy ending
Most of the pieces I’ve written on homelessness have been about success stories. People overcoming their circumstances and escaping homelessness. They’ve made a better life for themselves. Everyone doesn’t get there. Here’s a story from the upcoming play, “The Homeless Monologues”, that is still in progress.  There are a lot of homeless stories of recovery, hope... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
April 8, 2019 at 7:59 am • 

Shades of homelessness

Shades of homelessness
This piece from the upcoming play, “The Homeless Monologues”, shows that there’s nothing typical about homelessness. Every story is different.  A decade ago, I was walking through Lincoln Park with some friends. As we were were looking at some houses, we saw a woman with a grocery cart. She was rolling all her life possessions I... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
April 1, 2019 at 8:13 am • 
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It's good to be home again

It's good to be home again
When a tragic accident changes your life forever, being home makes you feel safe. This story from the upcoming play “The Homeless Monologues” shows how against all odds, someone can go home again. My story goes back to the good old days. It was a simpler time…at least it seems that way now. Before Chicago... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
March 15, 2019 at 8:15 am • 

After years of living on the street, I had to give myself a second chance

After years of living on the street, I had to give myself a second chance
When you’ve been living on the street for seventeen years, you need some help to overcome the cycle of homelessness. Here’s a story, from the upcoming play “The Homeless Monologues”, of someone who got that help and took advantage of it to turn his life around.  My life is pretty good now. If I was telling... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
March 5, 2019 at 9:08 am • 

Good Samaritan Candace Payne helps to save homeless community from the polar vortex

Good Samaritan Candace Payne helps to save homeless community from the polar vortex
It started Tuesday evening and went through Thursday. The temperature was -25. The wind chill was in the -50 range. The Polar Vortex was here. Most people made it to their homes and stayed there. Sure, it may have led to missed work and school, too much television and general boredom/cabin fever, but at least... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
February 3, 2019 at 9:18 am • 
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Homeless man helps Kansas City Chiefs player get to his game

Homeless man helps Kansas City Chiefs player get to his game
Last Saturday, Jeff Allen was driving on U.S. Highway 40. At the same time, Dave Cochran was driving along the same road. That’s all the two men had in common. Fate made them meet up on a snowy day in Kansas City. Allen, who is from Chicago and went to both King High School and... Read more »
By Howard Moore,
January 20, 2019 at 6:30 am • 
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    Howard Moore

    Every five years or so I decide to update this section. I can't believe I've been doing this for close to ten years. The last time I did this I was close to sixty years old. Now I'm just a few months away from the big 7-ZERO. Scary AF!!! I'm pretty sure I won't be doing an update when I hit 80, but you never know. But until then, lets just be grateful.

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