Receiving mail and getting things like your state I.D. can be an issue to many homeless people. That’s why one Atlanta organization wants to help by providing postal services to those without an address.
Gregory Carterr who is homeless says, “First they told me they’ll help me with my I.D. They’ll pay for my I.D. Then they have it, if you need mail delivered here, they’ll help you with that. They helped me with that big time!”
Crossroads Community Ministries Director of Community Development Eddie Dill says, “the mail room is one of the most vital services that Crossroads offers. It is the most basic service. If you think about trying to move to Atlanta, trying to get a house, trying to get an apartment, trying to get a driver’s license you can’t do anything unless you have an I.D. Crossroads provides about 3500 addresses a year.”
The feeling of living life without an identity is told by someone who knows all too well what it is like to be homeless and not have a state I.D.
“Basically, you a John Doe. That’s what I think. You a John Doe. You can’t go anywhere, you can’t do anything. You can’t progress. Let’s say if you got a job, they want your I.D., what you go tell them? You don’t have none? You ain’t go get the job,” says Carter.
In addition to receiving mail, Crossroads Ministries helps to feed many homeless people throughout the week by handing out meal tickets to Clyde’s Kitchen.
Director of Crossroads Kitchen Clyde Corbin says, “this might be the only meal that they get for a day. That’s why we try to have a healthy meal. For people to want to make a change in they life, they have to start somewhere and we are here to help them to get that start.”
“If you wake up positive you are gonna make it. You’re gonna win. Trust me. You will. My turn is coming. Absolutely,” says Carter.
Now that many homeless people can receive their mail here at Crossroads Ministries, the burden of not having a place to get their mail has lifted a huge weight off of their shoulders.
