Life at The Bridge

This blog post would be too long for the amount of computer time I have at the Dallas Public Library if I were to chronicle the incidents which led from my brief residence at Dallas International Street Church to my move last night to the homeless shelter known as The Bridge (which is located just a few blocks south of the main Dallas library). Suffice it to say that I am now staying at that shelter as of late yesterday. In order to contact me, people will need to use the contact information at http://www.mdhadallas.org/the_bridge.aspx. It's an undesirable situation, but them again, the same thing could be said with regard to staying at any homeless shelter. At least the mattress was reasonably comfortable last night. And they allowed me to put my larger suitcases into a storage bin assigned to me, so I don't have to lug them all over downtown Dallas, which would be a real hardship. The food there is also fairly good, although the food was better at the Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham, WA on the one time when I ate there.

The web site says they offer mail services, so anyone wishing to send financial help to me can do so in care of that facility.Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (located at The Bridge), 1818 Corsicana, Dallas Texas 75201 . Tel: 214 670 1101 . Info@MDHADallas.org

I can also be reached, as usual, at mwp1212@gmail.com., as long as I can continue to go online at the library. I also have been told that the shelter has its own library with internet access. How that compares to the library, I do not yet know.

The shelter also offers help to folks seeking employment. Also health care, a laundry and more.

They offer a small packet with toothbrush and toothpaste, and a little bit of soap, but I think I am going to have to step out and go to the dollar store I visited the other day in order to buy another towel. How I lost the first towel I bought, I do not know, but it was just $5, and I should be able to handle that expense since I put my laptop into a pawn shop. Needless to say, I'm unhappy about that, since I highly value the laptop (and the data on it). But at least there are these computers at the library.

The Bridge seems to have problems holding onto necessities such as toilet paper. I am not normally in the habit of swiping toilet paper from public restroom facilities, but one does what one has to do, and I am not going to run around with a smelly behind.just because The Bridge can't keep its basic supplies in stock.

They have rules, such as the very important rule that one cannot stay out past 10:00 p.m., but that is somewhat understandable considering that one is fortunate in a city with the population of Dallas to get a bed at all.

I do wish I had a blanket, but I was able to keep somewhat warm last night with the two sweaters I was wearing, even though the top sweater had seen better days. I'm told that the Salvation Army will be paying a visit to us tomorrow, and they may donate some clothes or blankets.

I have an issue with my unemployment insurance payments, which were being sent via direct deposit to my Chase account. But Chase totally closed that account just a couple of days ago! I may have to contact IDES to get them to mail the payments directly to me in care of The Bridge.

Any financial help anyone can send to me at that shelter will be greatly appreciated.