'I'm a mom of 3': Meet some of the people known as the hidden homeless in London, Ont.
Hear from people, in their own words, about how they live and their concerns
Tents and encampments are scattered throughout London, Ont. Some are so deep in the woods or along the river, you'd never know they were there.
CBC London Morning host Andrew Brown recently went out with the non-profit group 519 Pursuit to meet the hidden homeless. The outreach organization knows people by name, delivering 80 hot meals, sandwiches and water, every week day to camps in alleys, along the river and in the woods.
People come from different backgrounds and have different survival strategies. Some live alone and others live in groups. Many are worried about the upcoming winter. Here are three stories, in their words.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Shelley Thwaites
- Length of time homeless: 3 years
"I'm a mom of three and I'm homeless. I just want to get inside, into a warm place before winter, so I can get my kids back with me where they belong.
I currently live in a park with a few others. It's not the best place. I'd rather be inside. The cold weather is coming, and I want to get my kids back. That's a big thing for me, getting a house and getting inside. But there's just not enough housing for everybody.
I'm feeling OK. I'm getting there, taking it step by step. That's all I can really do.
This will be my third winter out here. We have heaters, we're not supposed to, but I'm not sure how they expect us to keep warm. That's our only solution. We could put tarps all over out tents and it's still not going to be as warm as a heater.
Even if we could build a little tiny home. Even a little shed with a bedroom in it, that's perfect. That way we're inside.
There was a time I was really down and out and I just isolated myself. But I have three children and I have to be there for them and they need their mother just as much as I need them. Everybody deserves a chance, no matter what."
Eric Robitaille
- Length of time homeless: 5 years
"I'm going on my fifth year here in London and I've pretty much been homeless since I got here. I know there are some places I can reach out to for help, but I'm an outdoors guy and I like my camping.
I camp all year round. Wintertime is pretty cold, but if you know how to manage and keep warm, it's great.
I have a group of people I help out from time to time. Pretty much every day somebody needs something. I'm just one of those guys that likes to help out. I tune up and fix a lot of bikes for people so they can get around.
Some of the nicest people that I've met here in London are homeless. They're very polite. Yeah, you get the odd one or two that likes to destroy things and cause a ruckus, but mostly everybody's humble.
I do [feel safe]. I know a lot of people don't feel safe in certain areas, but once you get used to the area it's like a walk in the park."
Roger Dodger
- Length of time homeless: unknown
"I got a place, and then I got kicked out again. I said, 'I've got to go back to my spot.' I like it here because nobody approaches me.
I've got this raccoon. I call him Telus, like tail-less. Because he's missing his tail. This friend of mine said, 'Rog, they were here before you, so you should feed them.' And I did one time, and now he doesn't even bother me. He comes, does his thing, and then goes.
I seem to know everybody. I'm Roger Dodger, and I've been around. I'm 60 now.
It's lonely. Weekends are long."
Listen | What it takes to deliver dozens of hot meals in London, every day:
