GRITtv: Homeless in the Woods

As part of our new format here at GRITtv, we plan to bring you more field reports. To kick that off, our own Sam Alcoff went to Lakewood, New Jersey, between New York and Philadelphia, to visit a homeless encampment in the woods.

Last year, the National Alliance to End Homelessness warned that one and a half million people would be added to the nation's already sizable homeless population by the end of 2010. These are just a few of their stories.

GRITtv with Laura Flanders brings participatory democracy onto your computer screen and into your living room, bridging the gap between audience and advocates. Watch any show, at any time: http://grittv.org

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• grittv
• grit tv
• laura flanders
• economy
• homeless
• homelessness
• jobs
• lakewood
• New Jersey

[ilililhy1]

Listen ,I have been in this situation as a young teen,Pray and ask Jesus to Help you,seek the Face of Jesus,He still does miracles.

[GroundRatTheLegend]

Very true! How people treat you is more important than the conditions you live in. "Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife."

[cdltpx]

@089hlj IDK if you are on the streets yet if you are go down south where the temps are not so harsh. You can find work here too. Have an open mind you can live in a tent build your own shelter from gathered supplies. Best would be a van or a boat you can live out of with minimal investments you could have your own solar power battery if you are near a library and can get books you have much of your entertainment taken care of I know I can find enough to eat that never is the problem yet.

[cdltpx]

@089hlj What he says is true the respect aspect of life I could not stand the way people view your being homeless. You don't want to lie but you are better off never telling them you are homeless. When you do there are 2 responses one is they want to get rid of you like you are a bastard child the other is they want to see what they can exploit from you. There is a part of society that feed off your misery these people want you to become their slave. I like the chickens they are great bug kilers

[089hlj]

-I'm about to be homeless-I'm 30...For the second time in 3 years. I'm a highly trained martial artist and can't find ANY work in the philadelphia area.I'm trying to clean out an abandoned house to take over, but at this point it might be better and safer to live in the woods. At least I got food stamps. A lot of people my age are homeless/jobless-there's tent cities popping up all over philly. What a shame how this country became.

[fleebus090]

@XkobyX a glock and a trench coat? yeah, like you won't get arrested the first time the cops come to bust your balls. the fact that you think you can sum up just how easy it would be, in just one paragraph, shows just how little you understand the problem. i'm not being a dick, its just that your view is so over-simplified and naive. its no wonder ppl arent concerned for the homeless.

[XkobyX]

Im glad to see homless people stick togethor, homlessness isnt honestly as bad as it seems.. sure ive never been homless, but alot of people dont understand this is the way we use to live.. this is pioneer life, you hunt for your food, If i had a choice of what i would take that i could cary, glock 17 with 2 clips, a old military trench coat, and a knife with a flint and a small tub full of anti biotics, pain killers. a strainer, a small hatchet "i think i can sharpen it with flint" and a BIBLE.

[NeedAJobUSA]

The tax payer is an endangered species in America with almost 50% families paying not a $1 in fed/state taxes yet getting $1,000's in refunds.

[NeedAJobUSA]

Like American School, Hospitals & Court/Prison Systems - American Citizens have been displaced by illegal immigrants. Foreign aid is for those people that just need food. Our welfare programs are exhausted from cash allowances, medical & drug payments, food stamps, utility bill payments / rent discounts, daycare, disabled & the mentally ill. Even cell phones & cable bills now.

[matlock12c]

There, but for the "grace of GOD" go I.....

This country spends TRILLIONS on forign aid yet OUR OWN PEOPLE live like THIS? SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE...