Father and Son Homeless in Los Angeles’s Echo Park Lake
1,031,622
Published 2020-12-09
The one thing that messes me up more than anything is when I see homeless children. I worked as a family outreach case manager for four years at a Los Angeles Winter Shelter. It was probably the most rewarding and most heartbreaking job I have ever had.
This morning I was on a call with an executive from one of my favorite homeless services. Because of the affordable housing crisis and the coronavirus pandemic's influence on the economy, she was telling me about the increase in families with children living in tents.
I was handing out socks at Echo Park Lake talking to a couple who I met five years ago in their tent downtown. They both looked great. The last time I saw them, they were suffering from addiction. The woman is now in housing, and because some housing does not allow couples, her partner of all these years stays in a tent. They recognized me. It was really awesome seeing them sober and healthy.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man cooking on a camping stove in front of his tent. The man was kneeling partly sticking out of the tent talking to a young boy standing looking at the food. My guess it was dinner time. I don't like to interrupt people, but I had to go ask if they were homeless living in that tent. I mean, it was rather obvious, but I don't often see kids outside in homeless encampments, so I walked over and asked them if they needed socks just to start a conversation.
Adrien has been living with his son Rodger in a tent near Downtown Los Angeles for five days. Adrien speaks with broken English, and Rodger did help translate a little, but some of my understanding came from our conversations after this interview.
Adrien and Rodger were sharing a four-bedroom house with other people. One of them was Rodger's babysitter. I am not 100% sure, but it looks like Rodger has special needs. The father and son lived in a bedroom together. That living relationship lasted for seven years. I don't speak Spanish, so I am not completely clear on this next part, but drama happened, forcing Adrien and Rodger outside with no place to live.
When I asked Adrien if any homeless services were helping him, he didn't understand my question. Adrien started referring to the Echo Park Lake homeless community. It is awesome they are in a homeless encampment that has formed into a community, but no one and especially no child should be sleeping outside homeless.
One of Adrien's wishes was for more cans of cooking gas. After the interview, I opened my wallet and gave them some money. I started to walk away when Rodger came running saying "hey Mr. you just gave my dad one of his wishes." I didn't really understand what Rodger was referring to, so I asked. Rodger said, "my Dad wishes for cooking gas and now he can buy it."
I have already been in content with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, who said they will go find Adrien and Rodger tomorrow to offer services. I know from experience, that homeless services will do what they can to get children off the streets. The scary part is, with 30 million households at risk of being evicted, we are going to see many more children living in tents, which is where you come in.
Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you.
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All Comments (21)
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UPDATE: after this interview, I reached out to LAHSA. I just learned LAHSA was able to help them today. Adrien and Rodger are no longer living in a tent! Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will continue to get worse. Click here invisiblepeople.tv/getinvolved to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you.
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I was homeless with my Dad for many years, we used to sleep on the floor I had no beddings, but my Dad I managed to help me to go to school even if we where homeless until he died, I left by myself ended in an orphanage but still I managed to finish school, go to college and graduated in cyber security! Life is not easy!! I still miss my Dad
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UPDATE 12/19: I found Roger and Adrian at my local supermarket. Found out he’s getting help and doing well at the moment living in a Hotel. Rogers school has given them gift cards for food and clothes, and has also received help from a church that even gave them a car to get around. Roger and Adrian are very thankful for all the help and support they have received. Adrian also mentioned Roger was also a little sad that they weren’t able to take the pup seen in the video. Both Roger and Adrian are in good spirits and continue to be strong and hopeful for the future.
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He didn't ask for much. That shows good people and deserves alot more.
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I cried... I can’t believe how ungrateful I can be at times 🥺🥺🥺🥺
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This kid is happier than most rich kids.
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that kid has the attitude of a champion with a father that has a heart of gold.
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The kid kept saying he’s happy and you could see his dad wanted to break down and cried but he smiled instead. Such a great dad
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Pops is going to heaven. Many leave their kids behind. He did not. And he is able to put a smile on that little angel's face eveyday. As a parent is my worst fear not to be able to provide for my family.
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the kid has something most kids don't. A loving , attentive , caring FATHER
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Thats really hard to swallow when you see a kid homeless.
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I’d love to donate to the dad and the kid, they shouldn’t be living like that. They got such great heart.
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We don’t realize how privileged we are until we see someone wishing for things that we take for granted everyday. I was depressed I couldn’t take my kids on vacation for spring break. All this father wanted was a blanket, gas and some food stamps. 😩
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That kid deserves happiness. Hope their life takes a turn for the best.
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Man this is a great fuckin dad. Even with nothing he’s still trying to take care of his son. We need to help this man
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I SLEPT IN MY CAR WHEN I WAS 17 AND 18 YEARS OLD ....VERY SCARY TIMES ...I THANK GOD I HAD A CAR TO SLEEP IN ..SOME DONT EVEN HAVE THAT. I PRAY FOR ALL HOMELESS ...ITS ROUGH OUT THERE ...THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND OTHERS .....
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And the government wants to send millions in aid to other countries, when our own ppl are struggling n living in the streets. Take care of the American ppl first.
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Roger is a student at my moms school . Despite having a learning disability she says he is a bright and attentive student even tho his mom recently died of cancer
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what a spirited little boy, God bless them
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I was also homeless as a young kid and I can tell you as long as the kid is receiving much love and attention then NOTHING not even being homeless can make a child upset. If they have a nurturing parent they will turn out very independent and strong.
