These letters, including one of my own, are in response to the article printed about me, with the full diary text, titled Diary of a Hopeful Man published March 31, 1999.
After laboring through the mundane account of an adult male with marketable job skills who used the Homeless Assistance Center for storage, showers, three hots and a flop, I felt cheated of my time ["Diary of a homeless man," March 31].
What's this guy's goal - to professionally interview and attend job fairs? My guess would be that he eschews any stress management or life-skills groups, doesn't regiment very well and had a fragile grasp on reality.
I found no evidence that he was willing to help himself beyond entertainment, and though the minutia of his transportation and TV travails seemed chaotic and perpetual, he did little more than whine about them.
Apparently, it hasn't occurred to your subject that he could use his IRS refund to establish himself in a more independent living situation, and free the bed space for another "teachable" client.
I think you own the HAC staff some rebuttal time. I'd like a full accounting of the programs they offer throughout the day, a mission statement, and a followup article that justifies the participation of Broward citizens' 1-cent-per-gallon gas tax revenue to support homeless services. This issue can't be as one-sided as you represent it.
Amy Jones Hamilton
Fort Lauderdale
Editor's note: When we asked HAC officials what services they were providing their residents, they assured us the most valuable service they provide is a safe, clean, secure place for residents to leave their belongings while they search for a job.
May I suggest a happy ending to your cover story ["Diary of a homeless man"] on John Balderson the homeless/jobless man?
City Link offers homeless man a job.
After all, he seems to be well-qualified to be a reporter, investigator or even a clerk.
(P.S. In case you ask, I am not an employer, so I would not be able to help him land a job.)
Ruben Rivera
Fort Lauderdale
Thank you for the fine article you did on me ["Diary of a homeless man"]. I hoped that by printing the diary, that my fellow residents as well as members of the community would get a better picture of what life is like for me in the center.
However, it has come to my attention that some of my fellow residents are upset that I did not consult with them prior to writing entries in the diary. These people should be aware that the diary is a record of my experiences in the center, and is not meant to be a commentary on what the HAC is doing for all residents.
I apologize to those residents and community members who misunderstood my intentions, and whom I have offended by telling my story, but again, it is my story. For the most part, I have received positive feedback since the article was printed, and if it helps increase community awareness or leads to a full-time job so that I can get out of the HAC, then I have achieved my major purpose for writing the diary in the first place.
I would also like to clarigy that the picture of me taken at a Microsoft booth was taken at a seminar held recently at the Broward Convention Center, not at the job fair in Davie which I also attended recently.
Again, I would like to re-emphasize that the comments that were made in the diary were my own opinion, and are not to be interpreted as a reflection of how other residents at the Homeless Assistance Center are carrying out their duties to "break the cycle of homelessness." I feel I should be entitled to express my own feelings on how life has been for me at the center so far through the diary, and the Web site, without any reprisal.
In addition, since I was in the first group of people to arrive at the center, I will not benefit from those services which probably won't be implemented during my stay there, but it is not the center's fault entirely that those services aren't in place, as the timeline to activate the center was accelerated in order to bring Tent City down sooner.
For those residents, case managers, staff and kitchen staff whom I have offended, I am truly sorry, but again, it is only my opinion.
Thank you for publishing my story, and I hope I have helped skeptical members of the community understand what life is like in the HAC.
John Balderson
Homeless Assistance Center
Fort Lauderdale