We wonder why people are living on the streets and we use our imagination to tell their story. We don’t ask. We assume. We judge. We come up with our own narrative on why someone would choose to do this. The answer is easy. It’s Freedom. Think about it. Most people have been abused in some way, if not all people. I highly doubt there are people living that have not been abused in some way. I stick with St. Mother Teresa’s view of how this may be:

1. Spiritually
2. Emotionally
3. Physically
4. Mentally
5. Financially

Last night I went to a community dinner and it changed everything. I have been eating with the people since the Feast Day of St. Peter’s Chair, February 22, 2026. Blessed Mother Mary calls this, “A Closer Look” and “Motivation.” Afterall, how can we really help anyone if we don’t know the truth?

You can turn and look the other way or you could use your mind and get the full story.

Are you listening to a one sided story? Are you assuming? Are you guessing?

If that is what you are doing please stop.

While at the dinner last night some shocking realizations occurred. A man that runs one of the shelters was there “helping.” To me, he was creating chaos. The very man set to oversee a home to help those in need was loud, out of order and had no boundaries. He announced how many beds he had and no one wanted them. They would rather sleep on the streets than sleep at a place that he had control over.

After I reminded a person next to me that there are free beds at the shelter he went on to tell me that he is sleeping on the steps of a church and how he goes about doing it. This man is someone that I have shared a table with enough times to know that he doesn’t do drugs, doesn’t drink and that he simply wants peace.

Peace is freedom.

People will choose what gives them peace. Unfortunately, yes, people choose substances for “peace” or “freedom” but many don’t.

Don’t group everyone into a box. Eat with the people, get to know them and then speak. Only then will you be helping.

God Bless, Eric’s sister, Melissa Schroder