Rules of Engagement

So, the project is officially underway. Said goodbye to my girl, my dogs and my house this morning and headed out to Urban Ministries of Wake County. I’m going to write about some of the great things they have going on a little later this evening, along with ways you can help them help others. But for now, I wanted to lay out the rules I have set for myself during this week of living in my car.

Let me first say – because it can’t be said enough – that I make no claims whatsoever about understanding the pain and loneliness that comes with being homeless. I don’t. I’m just trying to spend a few cold nights out from under the umbrella of…well, of all my stuff. I want to do this to try to gain, and spread, a little more empathy for those who have no other choice. I think, especially in these economic times, most of our positions in life are a little more precarious than they used to be. Any one of us, with just a couple months of really bad luck, could find that security blanket of our stuff ripped right out from under us. If there is one thing I’d like people to take with them after reading about or following this project, it’s that these people are individuals, and they deserve to be looked in the eye and treated as such. Even if you can’t give of your time or money, I’d ask that you take the time to at least acknowledge the homeless. Smile at them, shake their hand. Ask their name, and if they’re immediately okay. If you then say no to whatever it is they might be asking you for, no problem. Just give them the time of day.

Now – here are the three rules of this engagement.
1) I can’t go home. This goes without saying, but thought I’d be clear about it.
2) I can’t go inside the Capstrat offices. A little less obvious, since lots of folks who find themselves without shelter still have jobs to go to. They’re just under-employed, or don’t earn enough to support themselves and their families. But since we have shower facilities inside our office restroom, I wanted to eliminate that convenience for my week. Not sure how or where I’m going to get a shower during the week. I’ll keep you posted on that.
3) My budget for the week is 20$. Plus one tank of gas. No credit cards, ATM cards, etc. I don’t intend to panhandle, and I don’t intend to take a hot meal from someone who needs it much more than me. My plan is to hit the Kroger for ramen noodles, cup-a-soup, or whatever else I can warm up on my backpacking stove each day. I’ll be tweeting my expenses as they happen. I don’t see any problem coming in under 20$ for the week, but it seemed right to set the budget ‘out loud’. Of course, I won’t have the most balanced, nutritious and vitamin-filled diet for the week, but I’m okay with that.

So there they are. My rules of engagement. Stay tuned…
Will