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Handing Out Hope to the Homeless

It's taking place across the nation, including here in the Concho Valley. The point in time survey helps keep track of San Angelo's homeless population. Senora Scott found out, they're giving out a lot more than just soup and coats to get numbers. They're giving people hope.

It's taking place across the nation, including here in the Concho Valley. The point in time survey helps keep track of San Angelo’s homeless population. Senora Scott found out, they're giving out a lot more than just soup and coats to get numbers. They're giving people hope.

It’s a tough route to be on. Often they're on it alone, and the reasons they're on it are endless. Several agencies in the Concho Valley are doing their part to make sure they stay on track, but still the stereotypes go on for miles.

"A convict, an ex-felon, a drug addict, an alcoholic, you're lazy, that type of thing,” Joe Wilson said.

Joe Wilson has been called all of that. You may not know it to look at him but he's homeless. He's been staying at the Salvation Army shelter for a while now. That means a shower and clean clothes. Joe tells me: the big hearts of people here are polar oppositions to the way homeless are treated in Dallas.

"The citizens of San Angelo, they're very understanding, caring, Christian people, and they do a lot for the homeless, a lot for us each and every day. I'm very thankful for it,” Wilson said.

People on the front lines of helping want to make sure we *all* can tell the difference from a true homeless person and another variety we see on street corners.

"Folks are confusing the panhandlers, with the actual homeless. Those are two separate folks, people, categories," Major Tim Grider with the Salvation Army said.

Major Tim Grider says he, along with several agencies are working to decrease the sudden uptick in panhandlers in San Angelo. According to major Grider, panhandlers are making anywhere from 200 to 400 dollars a day.

"It's a well-organized network. Those folks do not live here so your money is also leaving the area," Grider said.

Joe says the business of pan-handling gives true homeless people a negative legacy. And what a legacy this man already has!

"Ex- service member, United States Army. Desert storm era veteran,” Wilson said.

He even used to be in a metal band. I asked Joe to tell me something else he'd want people to know.

"I'm proud of where I used to work. In forensics. I used to work for the medical examiner’s office, for the institute of forensic sciences in Dallas, Texas,” Wilson said.

He says it was tough work but he liked helping fight crime. But after an accident at work, he became disabled.

"They think that you're lazy or they think that it's got to be something mental but I hurt my back about 15 years ago, and they were never really able to fix my problem,” Wilson said.

It's people like him the Salvation Army is trying to help with their point in time or "P.I.T." survey.

"A vet, if they're MHMR, what their homeless situation might be, age group, gender," Grider said.

By getting information, they can tailor services, get funding, and even create plans to help the homeless to not only find work, but find their new place. Joe is looking forward to getting his own apartment next month.

Major Grider says the best thing you can do for someone you think is homeless is direct them to the Salvation Army, or donate your time or money to some of those agencies helping out.

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