In American society it’s not uncommon to see someone with a cellphone. But for homeless people, their cellphones help them find shelters, keep in contact with friends, families or just keep them entertained while they live their lives.
Homeless people are still people and because of their status sometimes it is a forgotten fact that they need communication to get by too. In today’s day and age having a cellphone is a basic necessity that is needed to function. Without one, information will pass them by and reduce their chances of getting proper care and giving them a chance to make their situation better.
Most of the homeless who received their phones got it from the Lifeline plan that was established in the Obama Era. Others received donated phones or had them before they became homeless.
According to Jay Minich, a public servant who works at André House, some people just save up enough for a phone and get a prepaid plan at Walmart.
For some homeless people it’s a daily struggle to keep their possessions and that includes their phones. Every day they make sure their phones work and are fully charged, according to Minich.
These struggles also impact not just homeless people, but also public establishments, restaurants and communities.
Joey Baker, assistant manager at the local restaurant The Fez said that his business has stopped allowing homeless people to charge their cellphones. Once, he allowed a woman to come in to charge her cellphone and use the bathroom. She stole a good portion of liquor from the restaurant. Despite the experience, Baker still tries to understand the homeless community.
“It just a matter on how you talk to them you know?” Baker said. “Some of them don’t want to hear it or have anything to do with it and they want to fight you. But if you just talk to them
like they are a person it helps.”
Many locals understand and sympathize as well and lend support or ideas when they can. Local librarian at the Irish Culture Center, Caroline Woodell, understands that you need a cellphone to function in today’s society and lets people charge their phones.
“Helping people regardless of their housing status, making sure people have access to the internet, and bridging the digital divide is something that is really a part of ethically what we do as a profession,” Woodell said. “It is something that we personally feel very strongly about and haven’t met a librarian who doesn’t.”
Woodell even mentioned that the city can install more charging stations to support the homeless people.
Following Woodell’s idea, businesses should incorporate outside charging stations. This may increase soltication but this would also solidify the connection between the homeless and with the community. Showing support and togetherness can bring people together.
For some people, having these stations can be an inconvenience and impact other daily lives. There is no one solution to help many people but having a cellphone is a start.
Contact the reporter at twgarret@asu.edu.
