CLEVELAND — As the holiday season approaches, many focus on the warmth and comfort of home, but for those experiencing homelessness, this time of year can amplify the struggle of finding basic security and safety.
David Cruz, a young man who spent more than three months homeless last year, shared his story about what life on the streets is truly like — and the personal journey that led him to seek help.
Cruz's difficult experience began when he was living with a roommate who had a serious drug problem. When the situation became untenable, Cruz made the difficult decision to leave.
"Instead of staying in that type of situation, I chose the streets," Cruz said.
For Cruz, the hardest part of being homeless was the loneliness, especially at night.
"The hardest thing, I guess, was being alone at night," he recalled. "That's when things really get crazy."
Though he encountered others in similar situations, Cruz says he didn't judge, even as he encountered many people on the streets struggling with mental health issues. Instead, he empathized with their pain.
During the cold winter months, Cruz found solace in local libraries, where he could escape the elements and read. He also spent time at shopping malls, which provided warmth and a place to pass the time.
Despite the isolation, Cruz met people along the way who left lasting impressions, including a pregnant woman who had been abandoned by her family.
"I remember her telling me about her family and how they deserted her because of who she was with," Cruz said. "She ended up on the streets, all alone."
It was during this encounter that Cruz began to reconsider his own situation. Although he had family, he hadn't wanted to burden them with his struggles. Seeing the woman's story opened his eyes.
"I started thinking of my family," Cruz said. "I didn't want to be known as 'David the homeless guy.'"
He finally he decided it was time to reach out for help, and he found it at The City Mission's Crossroads Men's Crisis Center in Cleveland's Central neighborhood.
That's where we met him, and got a chance to see all it offers — from a campus to casework and coaching. It's where he now has a place to lay his head at night, get a meal, and make some new plans for what's next.
"This place taught me patience," Cruz said. "Before, I would jump into things without thinking. But here, I had to sit down and really think about my life and what I need to do."
He explained that many people experiencing homelessness have lost all hope. For Cruz, finding hope was a spiritual journey.
"God, yeah," he told us when asked how he found his hope again.
Cruz's sentiment about faith and hope was echoed by another resident at Crossroads: Matthew, whose story reflects the deep struggles many face when losing everything. Due to health issues, Matthew lost his job, and eventually, his apartment.
"Crossroads has been life-giving," Matthew said. "I've gotten closer to God, and I'm finding who I am more. I'm in therapy now, just trying to get better. I just want to be able to succeed in society."
Matthew shared that he had struggled with depression and self-doubt, but the support he received from Crossroads helped him rediscover his sense of purpose.
Both Cruz and Matthew offered the same answer when asked about the biggest misconception people have about homelessness.
"These are human beings, and they're not someone to toss aside," Matthew explained. "They are human. They're just like you and me, but they're down the wrong road."
"Everybody's the same. Everybody has problems they go through," Cruz added. "People look at the homeless as less than, but they're not, really."
As we reflect on what "home" means, Cruz's journey reminds us of the importance of offering support and kindness to those who need it most.