update - homeless lad

[redcrx]

just thought Id post a quick update.

As i said before, thursday night Mr CRX warned the lad that the council would be clearing the garden and that he might want to make sure he didnt leave his things there by day. Anyway Friday it looked as if someone had trashed his 'bed' and we didnt see him that night ether. We assumed that he had moved on somewhere else.

Saturday came and we did the usual trip into town to do the shopping. I left mr CRX outside a shop and took little CRX with me, when i came out he was talking to a lad and its was obvious that it was "james", skinny, filthy,smelly lad. Id not seen him before, just heard him.

Anyway he didnt hang around as he said he didnt want to be near the babies. He wished us all the best and thanked us for our help (we hadnt really done anything).

Turned out he had spoken to a local church who may be able to help him with emergency accomodation and was looking forward to an appointment with them this week. he also said he had found somewhere else to bed down.

Turns out his new 'abode' is at the back of the field behind our house so he hasnt gone far.

He scared the cr@p out of me saturday at almost midnight when he tapped on our lounge window! I didnt know who it was so called Mr CRX to check. "James" asked if he could possibly have some water, he hadnt wanted to wake the babies so he'd just tapped. He didnt ask for anything else at all and again thanked us for our help.

We have still to get together some clothes and sleeping bag for him as we thought he'd moved on, but are hoping we can get them out for him today.

[Lakitu]

Awwww, the poor lad. At least he's trying to help himself though, and that's a good sign.

I'm not surprised you got a scare at his tapping though!

Bless his heart.

[Bathsheba]

Ah bless him xx

[bigmamma]

Oh , that would have scared the beejesus out of me redcrx.
You can't be too careful when you have little ones in the house can you. It's sad to see youngsters homeless and sleeping rough .
xxxxxx

[4getmenot]

did you try them hostel numbers yet?

[redcrx]

no, we wanted to ask him if he would like us to check for him but as i said we didnt see him til saturday. The church contact is looking promising for him.

the YMCAs were not near to us either 4get.

I was actually impressed that he took it upon himself to avoid contact with the little ones so that i didnt have to say anything. He seems like a nice lad whos made wrong decisions in life.

Mr CRX said that we dont mind giving him water but asked that he didnt knock too late or if the lights were out.

I just hope he can steer clear of the drugs.

[wendilla]

Hi all yes it is sad to see youngsters sleeping rough and once in a day they were there mothers son and loved. I am just thankful my kids are ok but there are always reasons sometimes why kids are homeless through there own fault and sometimes through no fault of there own.

[Dr-Legend]

See no harm done and he seems to be a genuine enough lad , though you should still be cautious.
Help him as much as you can / want to.

[terambulan]

How old is ur James.....I have a similar case brought home by my son (was his school-friend 25y ago) and have given over a parked old caravan for his use. He has done prison, drugs etc but wants to remain clean now for fear of adult prisons. He learned a lot of IT in prison but no-one will employ him....plus SSbenefits of �180pw keep unemployed!

He's a great guard-dog! Told him I adopted him (he's 37ish) so all jobs are free done be children! Wry grin!!!

[redcrx]

we will certainly be cautious, because even if we think hes ok (which we are wary of anyway) you just never know who he may be in contact with and her next door would certianly never get my help! She didnt even thank Mr CRX for rescuing her and her kids from a house fire.

[redcrx]

i think that he is early to mid 20s but its rather difficult to tell really as drugs and that lifestyle may well have aged him.

[funnygirl]

Well, he seems a well mannered lad and let's hope the church can help him.

I bet you're glad now you helped him and it is so easy to be judgemental of others.

[redcrx]

didnt really help him, but will pass those things onto him if hes about tonight.

It does sound promising with the church though

[terambulan]

the police are very helpful in finding shelter for such youngsters.......Barnados advertise schemes for aid also.

There's a place in Bristol & Camden where addicts are counselled....could find out more from my James?

[sense4all]

You could ask him to knock in a particular fashion, so that you know it is him in the evening - not some nutter. He seems pretty thoughtful with regards the kids. Or you could help by leaving some things in the same place such as a bottle of water etc slung over a fence post ,in a bag so that it's there if he needs it.

[redcrx]

terambulan, he is already signing on at police station 3 days a week (i presume either for some condition relating to criminal record or for the drugs thing) and is on the methadone scheme so im sure hes been told whats available in this area.

sense, we shall look into doing that and putting water out for him (makes him sound like a hedgehog lol) when we cant be about.

[terambulan]

So glad you've taken him 'under ur wing'.

Ofcourse I wouldn't harbour anyone......he was introduced by my son. He has to be 'no fixed abode' for financial reasons.

His horizons are small, being a village adoptee from birth. His own family 'dont want to know'. I feel its because they're submissive to neighbours opinions, whereas me..................................I dont f.....g care of anyone's opinions!

Too old to bow to others, now!

[terambulan]

Do u mean sending them to Oz?

Does seem harsh but I think those were supervised.......

Dont want to pinch this thread on another cause....only B's do publish literature in their shops regarding the 'help & support' they give to addicts and Aid families.

[tigerlily11]

Reading this Red brings a tear to my eye.
Your a gem and he knows it.
I hope they find him somewhere soon.
He needs help, poor soul.
To think there are so many like him out there who, due to circumstances beyond their control, they are alone and helpless. Thanks heavens he has found some one as nice as you to help him.
Bless u Red and him to.

[tigerlily11]

PS to Dr legend, see there are some lovely posts and lovely people on here. It's not all doom and gloom.