[perryeyler]

I lived on the streets of Phoenix on and off for 5 years (1981-1986) In the area of the Deuce. Knew nothing about being homeless prior to this... I credit the American Indian and Vinnie's ( St. Vincent Charity Dining Hall) soup kitchen for keeping me alive, especially during the first year... The Indians taught me how to deal with the heat and teaching me how to tell the time of day without a watch. Usually the only meal I had was at Vinnie's. When I first hit the streets , my wallet got stollen and I had no ID... so no food stamps, no welfare... And you had no bus money so you walked everywhere... And I met some of the most interesting people... Some you could not trust and some with a big heart that I hated to part with when I left Phoenix.