Does he/she have access to guns, knives, or other deadly weap

greasy dirty hair, maybe even shampoo it with soap. But it is way too long, for he hasn't had a hair cut in months. How is he going to shave his shaggy beard, or make his soiled old shirt look fresh? If this guy walked in through your door for a job, what would your first impression be? He's a drunk, or on drugs, or just a bum? Would you be inclined to hire him, or even go ahead with the interview? Even before the interview, the homeless job seeker often is faced with yet another obstacle--transportation. He most likely doesn't have a car, or money for a bus or a taxi. That leaves two options--hitchhiking, or walking. Walking may be safer, but what if the destination is miles away and it's raining, or snowing, or ninety degrees in the shade? By the time he gets to the employer's office, he is drenched, frozen, or melting. Would you accept him as a possible worker, when your waiting room is brimming over with other clean, bright prospects, with shiny computerprinted resumes in hand? These are just a few of the problems facing the homeless each day as they try to re-enter the job market. And if an employer hires them, the challenge of keeping the job just begins. Will they be able to work out permanent transportation in order to be at work on time? Can they find safe, affordable daycare for their kids? And will they be able to find a place where they can have a shower and put on clean clothes? And most of all, will their salary be enough for them to put down a first month and last month's rent on a place to live? I don't know all the answers, and you are probably as confused and mystified as I am that in America, the greatest land on earth, too many of our people can't find it within their hearts not to judge and put labels that are negative and unfair onto their fellow citizens. My grandfather, who survived and raised his four children during the Great Depression, used to have a favorite saying–"There but for the Grace of God go I.."

I understand it now, better than ever. And I have changed it to "There but by the Grace of God goes each one of us."

Sunday Uher Continued from page one

Glance down at your wrist.

Does a watch securely wrap itself around the bone, serving as a reminder of the time that is passing? If so, observe the larger hand, watch as it slowly encircles its way around the face. Continue on, for, oh say, the next forty seconds. Okay, now stop. Next, try to envision the happenings that have taken place in such a short amount of time. Babies have been born. Couple's have exchanged vows. Somebody has laughed. Somebody has cried. Ask yourself, this, though: does the fact that somebody has just taken his or her own life even enter or cross your mind? Well, somebody has. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), statistically it has been noted that somewhere around the globe a suicide is committed every forty seconds. Why is it that people bring themselves down to this one last resort? This one final act of desperation? Well, to start with, the number of people killing themselves each year disturbingly reflects our cultural and social structures. Take for instance people who have been marginalized from society. The unemployed, the chemically dependent, the mentally ill... the homeless. Suicide is all too common among homeless people. The problem is far larger than that that is brought to the public eye. Extremely vulnerable people are left homeless which wreaks havoc with their emotional and physical well-being. More over, people living in unsuitable living conditions, and lacking that of shelter, and the appropriate levels of care and nurture are particularly inclined to committing suicide. Being left homeless isolates people from friends, family, and social services, all of which many fail to realize can be vital lifelines to those in crisis. Lacking shelter clearly prevents people from dealing with any other important and lingering everyday problems. In addition, it increases stress, anxiety, and depression to an ultimate high in which can result in the unfortunate last resort decision to commit suicide. So why then, do so many of us continue to ignore and almost negate the fact that homelessness not only can but has resulted in death by suicide. Take for example, a tragic story on an old CNN program in which a family shared their painful experience based on their fifteen year old son. The boy had been hospitalized and upon his discharge had made various threats to kill himself. The hospital allegedly new this, but discharged the boy, anyway. Three hours later the young boy was found dead. He'd hung himself, proving his threats to be true. The homeless deaths caused by suicide are both sad, and frightening. We are dealing with people who die from exposure, who have been dismayed. Suicide rates among the homeless have become both dramatic and alarming. One study done reported that 19 of the 48 suicides were those of homelessness.

So, what can we do?

The problem will never abate until we tackle the issue. In doing so we must begin by educating ourselves and each other. Even the most minimal amount of knowledge can be both vital and influential in helping our citizen's to understand the importance in sheltering and protecting our homeless citizen's. Comprehension of the link between homelessness and suicide is important. While it is not possible to isolate one specific reason as to why one would choose to take his or her own life, research done on this subject provides an important indication of the links between suicide and our homeless citizens. It highlights in the starkest light on how providing shelter and even the most simple living accommodations can help to prevent the tragic loss of yet another life. By Nicole Darcy Settimi Send comments to: nicole@homelessvoice.org

Group marches on City Hall, calling for access to jobs, homes, more... By KIM HORNER / The Dallas Morning News

They carried signs that read: "Jesus was homeless" and "Would you put your dog out in the cold?" About 25 homeless people marched from a downtown shelter to City Hall on Tuesday to ask for help getting jobs and homes. "Where are these people supposed to go?" said James Waghorne, head of the Homeless Neighborhood Association, which organized the march. The 44-year-old formerly homeless man said the city should make affordable housing a higher priority.

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In addition, the marchers want a say in the location of a planned homeless assistance facility that Dallas voters approved as part of a bond package in May. Cliff Whitfield was one of about 25 homeless people who marched Tuesday from a shelter to City Hall. The demonstrators want a say in the location of a planned homeless aid facility. The homeless also want the city to stop taking their belongings during "sweeps" of homeless camps. Several downtown-area homeless people said police and code enforcement officials had thrown out their clothes, medications and other possessions with little notice. Neither police nor code enforcement officials could be reached for comment. Many of the homeless marchers live at the Dallas Life Foundation shelter, where they are working through 12-step recovery programs. Tony McClelland, 46, lived on the streets for nearly a year before he entered the shelter. "We can't get jobs. No one will hire us," Mr. McClelland said. "People look at us like we're lower than animals. Just because we're homeless doesn't mean we're not human beings." Ronald Swearengin, 33, said his story illustrates the difficulties many homeless people face. Mr. Swearengin cannot find a job or home after being convicted on a felony drug charge, which landed • Talk to your Human Resource Manager

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about how you can donate money to help the homeless thru a payroll deduction for the COSAC Foundation

American Express Will Match Any Donation Their Employee Makes Continued on page 10