I am perhaps the only tourist who intentionally seeks out the “bad” neighborhoods in each place I visit. I’ve been through the worst parts of Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Cleveland, Gary and Detroit. I’ve walked through all the wrong parts of Chicago, Springfield, East St. Louis, St. Louis and Kansas City. And, as I walked through what [...]

Sometimes it takes being smacked in the face with the cold, hard truth to realize what has been slowly happening all around you. For me, the truth about just how much affordable housing has been lost in Alexandria, Va., the place I’ve come to call home, happened today as I was walking to the Braddock [...]

Jan. 27, 2010 Those who are homeless are often invisible, ignored. We chose to see, or not see, the man begging for change as we walk down the street. We forget that our friends who just needed a place to stay “for a few days” are still sleeping on our couch. We ignore the waitress [...]

Jan. 19, 2010 The Washington Post today reported that the crush of those seeking public services has so far exceeded the district’s ability to process applications that some have been forced to spend day after day waiting in line. It is a far cry from the near mob scene in Detroit last October when thousands [...]

Dec. 28, 2009 Human beings are not meant to live in the cold. Some of us may enjoy living in cooler regions, but I doubt anyone enjoys spending any real amount of time exposed to the elements without proper clothing. Yet routinely the poor and the homeless are left ill prepared to shelter themselves from [...]

Dec. 17, 2009 It is no secret that so many of the homeless in this country are veterans. And little shocks me these days. But I found myself surprised to learn the number of homeless female veterans to be on the rise. According to a report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, women are [...]

Day 93–Oct. 4 (Aurora, OH – Cleveland, OH, 19.3 miles) Poverty and homelessness are large problems. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t small things everyone can do to make a difference. Here are a few suggestions: Donate food, toiletries, clothing, and household items to a local shelter, food pantry or organization that benefits those who [...]

Day 87–Sept. 28 (New Castle, PA – Youngstown, OH, 17.3 miles) Absent from many discussions of affordable housing are a few realities. First, much of “affordable” housing is substandard, owned by slum lords who charge too high a rent payment for poor quality housing. Second, many people who can afford rent payments in an affordable [...]

Day 85–Sept. 26 (Beaver Falls, PA-New Castle, PA 18 miles) In the bad times, when we struggle and make our way through hardship or tragedy, we vow we will never forget. But we do forget. When I was first married I can remember struggling to pay the bills and staying up nights wondering how we [...]

Day 83–Sept. 24 (Bellvue, PA-Baden, PA, 14.2 miles) The sidewalks along Route 65 in Emsworth are in such a state of disrepair that in many places grass and weeds have fully reclaimed the concrete. When I was walking, I passed no one. Just a little north lies the town of Sewickley. The sidewalks are pristine. [...]