Matt at Building Bridges
You’ve seen the scene on South State Street and Thomas Street along the fence line of the homeless shelter. It’s one that is played out in nearly all small (large) California cities. Ragged, no name creatures, pushing carts, corralling dogs, looking tired and dirty and somewhat aimless. And you feel disgust or deep sadness or even empathy. You’re grateful for your humble status on earth.
Each of those temporary residents have names, and each has a story. This is Matt’s story. Call him by his name-matt; not homeless guys or “Hey, you.”
Matt is 42 and disabled from a catastrophic motorcycle accident he had at 18 years old in Ukiah. He’s from Lake County, and has a mission in life.
“I want the community to recognize us here for doing good stuff; not bad stuff. Guys come in and need help. They’re like all of us, and need help. We’re not perfect. God didn’t make us perfect here and I need help in reading and math, and others. But I have strengths.”
Matt perceives that most Ukiah folks have a negative mindset about Building Bridges and the homeless there. “Many people watch us at the gate; people in cars just staring and they’re saying things on Facebook about what they see. Some people just come around to start fights.”
But Matt is unique. He is working to change people’s views of his population.
Matt makes his rounds between Chevron, the motel(s) across the street, a few homeless gathering sites and cleans up. “I just get a big old garbage bag and start picking up stuff; and I wear gloves.”
A couple of months ago, Matt went down to the Mulberry Bridge — a notorious homeless encampment and began cleaning up. Matt speaks up: “An officer came by and asked why I was doing this?”
“But, I’ve done this since becoming homeless, many years ago. I’m a decent citizen. I just want to improve the reputation of people in the streets. All the organizations respect me for my work, but haven’t been able to get a job for many years.” Matt does receive SSI for his multiple disabilities, a total of $1,022 per month. “I can’t earn too much money or it comes out of my benefits package. Motels give him food and sometimes money, but he does it out of his heart most of the time. “I’m a kind guy,” he relates.
“If I win the lottery, I’ll build a ‘big ass’ shelter with separate homes for everybody; a big old acre and build houses for everybody.
They’d have their own houses, we’d have staff too, and a big old field. Husband, kids, whatever could be a part of it.”
With Matt’s government assistance, he helps with his family expenses. His mom did drugs and “I couldn’t support them, so my Uncle Carl takes care of my two boys on Laws Street — Joshua and Matthew. I see them every month and give them most of my money; and the other $200 to $300 he spends for his needs.
He tells the other residents to respect the staff that “they’re here to help us, not to hurt us. It really is part of my family. They like me here.”
Matt isn’t religious, but he does have a record. “People watch what I’m doing,” he relates.
Matt’s words of wisdom: If you want to know what’s going on here in the shelter, come talk to us; we’re up to good! =We want to survive and then move on.”
Matt is a full-fledged Ukiah citizen, trying to improve his community. Call him Matt!