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A couple months back I spent some time handing out jackets for the homeless. It was another one of those ridiculously frigid days we have been having on-and-off in Portland during what has been a brutal winter. <\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, there were four deaths this winter from exposure, an unacceptable number for any city, but not surprising considering Portland\u2019s exploding homeless population. Yet, while city leaders wring their hands, little has been done to address the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, there I was, walking around the city with a few fellow citizens handing out jackets and the thought occurred to me that many of the people I encountered did not look like drug addicts or vagrants. Many were living in tents, some with their pets, others with children. While some looked thin, I didn\u2019t perceive any of them to be a danger to society or mooches of any sort.<\/span><\/p>\n

My assignment with PDX People was new at that point, but I was resolved to find someone who would talk to me about their plight, someone who didn\u2019t mind being put on the record.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took several months of back-and-forth through email \u2013 delayed by the fact that he has no access to the internet outside of the local library \u2013 before Joshua Turner, 30, and goes by Josh, finally agreed to be my subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

I must admit, although my journalistic instincts were driving me, my humanity was screaming, \u201cExploitation!\u201d Josh and I had a long conversation about this, as the last thing I wanted to do was exploit his situation for the sake of my paycheck or readership.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, we agreed that this story was too important not to tell, especially considering Josh\u2019s story, which isn\u2019t one of drug abuse or irresponsible behavior, is one many a homeless Portlander can relate to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI moved three years ago, from Boston,\u201d he says. \u201cI have a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in communications and moved here to pursue a new career after getting tired of the freezing winters.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Once he arrived, like so many others, Josh had difficulty finding a job in his field and wound up with a serving job at a local restaurant. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoyed the job, but can\u2019t deny being somewhat depressed that I couldn\u2019t find anything better,\u201d he says. \u201cIt didn\u2019t help that the only place I could find was a bedroom to rent in a five-bedroom house with four other people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, Josh persevered, working 50-hour weeks and doing his best to make ends meet. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt least the public transportation here is really good because I couldn\u2019t afford a car,\u201d he admits. <\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, it wasn\u2019t long before everything came crashing down around Josh, for reasons so many can understand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, the restaurant I worked at closed because they were priced out of the area, then the landlord at the place I was staying raised the rent to a level that none of us living there could afford, so we all had to move out,\u201d he says. <\/span><\/p>\n

Within two years of moving here, suddenly Josh\u2019s entire life had crumbled away. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time, I was struggling because I didn\u2019t want to go back to Boston. Winter was just starting and I knew I would have a better time of it here,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, he didn\u2019t. Josh found himself living in a tent near the Moda Center during one of Portland\u2019s harshest winters. He struggled looking for a job in an extremely competitive job market.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was brutal, so, so tough,\u201d he says. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe jacket you guys gave me really, really helped,\u201d he says with a twinkle of gratitude in otherwise downtrodden eyes. <\/span><\/p>\n

With the winter receding and spring coming on, Josh now plans on heading back home. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother died in a car accident four years ago, and I am estranged from my father, but I have a couple friends back home who will help me as I get on my feet. I\u2019ve made some friends here, but everyone seems to be struggling and it\u2019s hard for people to help,\u201d he finishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a story that can be told by so many. A sad, unfortunate, yet all too real story that thousands of homeless <\/span>PDX People<\/span><\/a> can relate to. We wish Josh all the best his future endeavors and thank him for sharing his story with us. Perhaps stories like these, compounded, will spur some action in a city whose homeless population desperately needs it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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William Bessette<\/strong> \u2013 PDX People Contributor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>William Bessette is a journalist and freelance writer who has been covering politics, entertainment, culture and travel for over thirteen years. When he\u2019s not profiling Portland-area restaurants and residents, you can find him reporting on national and international travel and eco-tourism through his travel brand, <\/em><\/strong>Floppy Hat Adventures<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow William on: <\/strong> Facebook<\/u><\/a>\u00a0, Twitter<\/u><\/a>\u00a0 Connect with William on:<\/strong> LinkedIn<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

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