Clara Ross, former Broadway greeter, posted this on Facebook to illustrate how hard it is for the homeless to move forward, especially for those who stay outdoors in a tent:

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Problem 1. Having clean clothes to go to an interview.

Problem 2. Getting a bus pass to go to the interview.

Problem 3. Having all the documents he needed for the interview, as his were destroyed. He had to go to several places to replace them.

Problem 4. Getting the funds necessary for a replacement ID. He thought it was $16. I took him to the BMV to get the ID.

Problem 5. BMV was not open; he had to use the kiosk.

Problem 6. He did not know how to use the kiosk. People behind him got loud and impatient. I assisted him and discovered he had to get a new license. We had to go to another branch.

Problem 7. It cost $17.50; he had only $16. He was embarrassed and the look in his eyes was almost defeated. I swiped my card to pay; he looked away like he was still embarrassed. He made sure I kept the $16 cash and thanked me, mumbling how sorry he was.

Problem 8. Unshaven, hair uncombed, looking disheveled, he kept looking at the photo on his paper copy and commenting on how bad he looked.

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Even though he had a bus pass, I offered to give him a ride. He declined. He seemed overwhelmed by the day and wanted to ride the bus alone and think. It was an uphill battle every step of the way, not counting the unfavorable looks he received from people in the kiosk line or sitting in the chairs at the BMV, although the employees of the BMV were kind and considerate.

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If you feel defeated, invisible, and unwanted, it is hard to be seen and heard in a world where the homeless are unwelcome. Realize that, like this man, some of the homeless are trying hard to change their story and their journey toward finding permanent housing. We can help in little ways.