Backup for those trying to bounce back
Eva Bruckner believes that sleep deprivation played a key role in her losing a folder that contained critical paperwork.
"Because I am homeless and I get so tired from sleep deprivation, I inadvertently left them somewhere. Maybe on the light rail," Bruckner said, as she waited to speak to a paralegal at the Legal Center for the Elderly and Disabled.
Paralegals with the legal center's clinic that operates on the grounds of Loaves and Fishes are working to help homeless people such as Bruckner complete needed paperwork and follow through on court appearances so they may get back on their feet.
Often, people who are homeless have left tickets, warrants and social services paperwork lapse. To gain entrance into shelters or transitional housing programs they need to take care of any outstanding legal issues. They also must complete lengthy paperwork to receive general assistance or other forms of aid.
"Part of the process of getting back into society is to take care of your obligations," said Cathie Adams, the legal center's program director.
An estimated 9,000 people annually visit the clinic, which operates three times weekly, Adams said.
Adams said it is not unusual for homeless people to lose their paperwork, since they have no set place to keep things. She has asked Book of Dreams readers to help the center to buy a scanner and CDs so vital paperwork may be copied and filed away for the center clients. If the clients do lose their paperwork, then the center would at least have a copy of it.
"Then they would have things secured in a safe place," Adams said.