Storage. This is something we all need, but because we believe resources to be limited we are made to pay for space. According to Physics every piece of matter must have a place , even a few educated police have quoted this and believe it to be true, even when letting us know earlier this year that we could be arrested for acquiring property because we could only have a backpack, water bottle and bedroll. Funny part is they need to extend that to a sign because it was a protest.

But what does storage matter if you don't have anything? Everything because to offer a service you need to have the tools to acquire and a place to store them. You need a place to put your homeless survival gear when you go for a interview, or to the court you always get stuck going to. Some would like storage just to hide their situation because of the stigma associated with being homeless, that you have to be a criminal, an addict, mentally ill, a vet. Why could it not be just a person on hard times and struggling? Because the non profit sector, law enforcement, mental health and the rest could not have as much job security. While you may not be able to end homelessness you can make it less stress for and easier on someone Struggling.

For instance you may know that I'm a homeless activist, living on the street to really know what the issues are and know the places to fix. Even that it a struggle. But you may not know I am an artist. At my mothers house there is a 3 foot by 4 foot painting of Downtown Tucson, that I painted and gave to her as a gift. I did this while in phoenix all based on memory. You may not know other works Ive done, partly is because I didn't have storage or money to keep storage so many got legs and walked off like a laptop I had valued at $1000.

You wouldn't know a friend of mine that is a homeless artist is one because of no resources. Lucky for him, his brother lets him keep his art in his shed. Every once in awhile he holds a gala there. Another friend is a drummer in a rock band, he is disabled and therefore has limited resources. He used to be seen pushing a shopping cart across town, to get his drum set from his camp, to the show. He now lives in a van, the only place he can store them.

Another guy, is a mechanic by trade, living on the sidewalk or a hidden camp, he needs places to keep tools, part , etc, or he cant work. Another is a girl, who totes around her suit case, not willing to part from her cherished memories and not trying to look like any less of a lady than the sweet flower we know her to be.

Downtown years ago , their were lockers at the greyhound station. Small but an answered prayer for the homeless community and a loss when the city moved greyhound for gentrification renovations downtown. At the Safe Park Dream Center , patrons will have choices between huts, sleeping pods and tents, which during the day acts as storage. This has the ear of the homeless community, and never at a better time because Fred grays Tucson Park and Rec workers take any property not in hand. The police also do this time to time in what they call assisting beautification and downtown business owners. if you really wanted to beautify, and protect peoples rights helping to provide the homeless with a safe place to put their stuff would be key. Its about making people matter, giving everyone the opportunity.7800 homeless people in Pima County and no where to put stuff, this is a easy fix for a very big hearted or well meant community. How you treat people in your city says alot to outside businesses that may want to come do business there. That definitely matters! Thanks to the Tucson Arts Brigade for helping homeless artists!