Remember when you watched television and saw a homeless person characterized on your favorite show? What were some of the personality traits? What did they look like? What was their “role” in the show?

Let me guess…the character you saw was dirty, had a beard that looked like it hadn't been trimmed in a million years. They were tipsy, unsteady and acted like they had no grasp on reality. Their character was either being “rolled” by a thug or they were seen as an extra on the fringe of the real action of the scene.

Am I close?

Now listen to this description: Dressed in a polo shirt with sean john jeans, clean shaven with an “army” style hair cut and holding a clean intelligent conversation with the manager of Red Lobster while applying for a dishwasher's position; attending classes at one of the academic institutions in the area and on the Dean's List. During the discussion with the manager at Red Lobster, the applicant's Masters degree in Mathematics comes into discussion. “Why would someone with a Master's degree be applying for a dishwasher,” he asks the applicant.

The answer? “Well, you see sir, I lost my job and with the economy like it is today; I couldn't find another position right away. I became depressed and made some really bad choices in my life that led me to lose everything and become homeless. I am trying to get my life back on track and this is my first step.”

Not exactly the Hollywood picture of what a “homeless” person would look or act like, right? But it is the reality of what today's homeless CAN look like. Many of the growing population of homeless have an education. They take the best care that they can of themselves and their loved one. And yes, many of them are single mothers with children in tow. And many of them were very successful business people that fell on hard times because of our economy but had nowhere to turn for help or weren't aware of programs and services available to help them.

Each of us reading this needs to remember that the Hollywood picture of homelessness isn't always the truth and that we can make a difference if we just acknowledge, we are lucky not to be in the same position of those around us! Remember, it's not always a hand out but maybe a hand up that could change someone's life for the better.

Tags: Homeless Veteran Economy