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Hyla Ceneria · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:26 am

My real name is Arthur but my friends would call me Arty if I had any. They have all married and moved away or just moved away. I live in a small city on the inland east coast that was once the home to a flourishing industrial economy. The industries have moved away also. There is much abandonment here but the one thing I found the area to have is lots of people, with lots of old stuff that they did not need as much as they needed to feed their families. That’s where I found my opportunity. I began buying old and antique furniture and decorative accessories and selling them to dealers from New York, Boston and other metro areas. People would come in trucks and vans to my warehouse where my apartment is also located above. They would call on their way to see what I had found since their last trip. It was a very lucrative business and my operating costs were low.
A few months ago the calls stopped. I called a couple of them and they said they were sorry but the cost of gas was just too much and they could not make the trips. Their business was off also. I have since sold the rest of my inventory at auction and have used the money to pay my expenses. I have about 200.00 left. I have applied to the local hospital and a several local businesses for jobs but no one seems to be hiring.
Now I have found out that my landlord is selling the building to 7-11 for a convenience store and I have 60 days to vacate. I don’t have anywhere to go and no job. I can’t collect unemployment, because I was self employed and refuse to take welfare. I don’t even have any nice clothes or the first and last months rent to get an apartment. Can someone tell me how to avoid becoming homeless? I do not know what I should do. The weather will be warm so I can stay in my car for a while! I am at my wits end here! I am not on drugs or an alcoholic all though I do drink beer. Who wouldn’t in my situtation? I am willing to work at anything but anything has not been offered. Help!

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:45 am

Have you thought about moving to another area? Check around and see where the best job market is. You may have better luck finding a job then staying in a town where they aren't many jobs available.

You are really in a tight spot, and unfortunatly, with the economy the way it is, there are many people in a similar situation to you. Keep your head up, and fight.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:23 am

Moving costs a lot of money!

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:41 am

True, but staying in an area with no opportunity is worse, don't you think?

Hyla Ceneria · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:42 am

I do have a brother in another state but we are not too close and Frogpatch is right it does cost a lot of money to move. I also do not know much about much. I know how to fix broken furniture and what its worth after its fixed. I have an old truck that I use for moving stuff. I am going to try to sell it and then maybe I can get enough to move. I was thinking about Philadelphia of Baltimore area. Anyone from there?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:27 am

That sounds like a plan. What type of truck is it and what year? Anyone from Philly or Baltimore here?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 12:54 pm

Where did you go?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 1:45 pm

Be sure to check how the job market is there for the skills you have. You want to make sure that the area you choose will have the options available to help you succeed.

Hyla Cineria · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 8:46 am

I am surprised that no one on here besides Goudah wanted to help me. I was wondering why? Well I have a puzzle for you. Put my name into google and see if you can guess who I really am!

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 8:55 am

You are Frogpatch, but I dont quite understand the game or test??????

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 9:42 am

I wanted to see if a stranger came here in a desparate situation if anyone would help. I got my answer. 86 viewers, no responses! Why do you think? Was the situation too difficult? Did no one really care? I am concerned about the homeless in this country especially here in Florida where the population is growing for obvious reasons. Warmth. People do not get that way all the time because they do not want to work. Arty is autobiographical in nature. I was Arty. I lived in NJ not Harrisburg PA. I was an antique dealer who relied on interstate business in the late 70s only to be put out of business buy a gas shortage. I could not collect unemployment and was forced out of my apt without the security for the next. What saved me was I was local and well liked and people were willing to put me up until I got back on my feet. If I did not have close friends I would have joined the homeless population. I even had all my clothes stolen. Fortunately Macys was dumb enough to send me a credit card. I got a job in a lighting showroom and 25 years later I am still in the business. I even met my wife there. So once again good was born of tragedy! Plus I got a good understanding about the homeless. There are several that work the corner where I live. Most are hardcore and will never work. A couple are young and made wrong choices. They can be helped by people of compassion like the Homeless Emergency Program to which I am a contributor.

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 10:25 am

I so agree with you on the homeless. I see them everyday on my way from the bus to the office and then agasin in the afternoon on my way home. It breaks my heart. I was especially concerned this past winter when I saw many with out a warm coat to wear and I have three I never wear. We had an unusually cold winter here. So I donated them along with coats my kids no longer wore. I agree some are homeless because they choose the lifestyle and I really feel more needs to be done, by way of shelters, to at least provide a bed for the night and a warm meal. To many times we, as a nation, are quick to lend a hand to other countries while our own suffer on the streets. it seems it takes a national disaster in order to receive assistance.

I am guilty of being a member that reviewed this post yet not offering any advice or words of encouragement. I was to busy with my own problems, which were minor, and to busy at work to think of anything effective.

Thanks Frog for bringing this problem to our attention! And it's good to see you around Smile

Guest · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 10:01 pm

frog I don't blame you for wondering why no one helped..look at how many on site here truly offer help to others when push comes to shove..I think it is why you woke up and passed the baton Very Happy

Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 7:14 am

WE all try to help when we can. We all or most have full time jobs and can not answewr every thread. Sorry Frog if you feel like we let you down. but we are only human.I do suppoet charities by the way

Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 7:41 am

Did it occur to anyone that anyone who viewed it might not have the answer, the title was very misleading.? Or does disdain always come first to mind when someone doesn't answers a question? Are the people who can't afford to send donations or are dealing with their own stressful situations supposed to take on the world?

I'm pretty sad that you felt the need to post a topic to "test" people here. The only thing you've done is taught some people here that not all guest are guest and not all problems are real.

Homelessness is a problem. Several years ago when I was living in Austin I had no extra money to spare, nothing to donate.. pretty much nothing. I made sandwiches (just meat and cheese no sauces) and bought bottles of water. I drove around the city of Austin trying to pass them out to the people begging on the corners and those who lived under bridges. I had made about 50 sandwiches. I had quite a few thrown back at me and I got cussed out a lot. Very few were happy to receive a little help.

As to the "situation" in the first post. That person has too much pride. Pride makes a skimpy dinner. Welfare doesn't make a person less of a person. It's there for times when you need it. If a person is too prideful to accept help when it's there is nothing a person can do to truly help.

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