For some, Thanksgiving has come early.

Kevin Corbin has been homeless for three years. He calls "Be Our Guest" a "Blessing, it's a blessing here to come because now, I mean, I can at least sit down and my mind can also get right."

For the week of Thanksgiving, homeless men, women and children are invited to stay overnight at the Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Salisbury. Food and a place to sleep are provided.

The temporary shelter is held by the Hope And Life Outreach, also known as H.A.L.O. H.A.L.O.'s Executive Director Celeste Savage said, "This is our way of telling them we love them and we're thankful for them."

In addition, their guests are assured they are not alone. Savage said, "Most of the time, they have no one. And we just like to be their family."

Corbin has already been moved. "If they asked me to clean the bathroom, I wouldn't mind doing it, because these people opened up their doors for me," he said.

On Monday night, a special privilege: pampering from local salon, "A Personal Look." Owner Rita Dayton said, "They love it, and they feel so confident and really relaxed."

"Having a pedicure, I don't know nothing about that stuff, but what it does, it shows you a new life," said Corbin.

Emery Seneca has been on the streets for three months and finds the shelter an amazing gift. "I'm thankful that I am alive, I'm thankful that I am here, and I'm thankful that I've met a lot of different people," Seneca said.

So for seven nights and all of Thanksgiving day, those without a home have a place they can come home to. However, while they are thankful now, many are uncertain of the future.

Corbin shook his head as he said, "A lot of us don't have nowhere to go. Once we out of here, we're walking the streets."

Not only are the homeless in need of a permanent men's shelter in Salisbury, they are also in need of men's coats. H.A.L.O. is urgently requesting donations of coats for both men and children. To donate, call 410-742-9356.

"We Support Our Troops" is a message that Americans spread loud and clear. But what about when they come home? For nearly 130,000 veterans that is when the real trouble begins.

"I was a veteran. I spent 23 years in the Air Force and a lot of folks don't understand why first off a person can become homeless, and they really don't understand why a veteran becomes homeless," said Rich Pokorny, the so called "founding father" of the Home of the Brave.

For 14 years, it's been the only homeless shelter in the state of Delaware. Inside, there are 15 beds, and the support the veterans need to rebuild their lives. The only rules are no drugs and no alcohol.

"If it wasn't for the Home of the Brave, I have no clue where I would be," said homeless veteran Glenn Leichliter.

Physical disabilities and mental health problems like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder make it tough for some vets to adjust to life after battle.

"At Home of the Brave, we tell them we give them a hand up, not a hand out," said Pokorny.

The shelter provides clothing, transportation, and meals. But, perhaps most important, the director acts as a liaison between the vets and the Veteran's Affairs Office.

"All you have to do is ask for help and that was my hardest problem," said Harry Wells, a veteran living at the Home of the Brave.

The average stay lasts about 30 days. But, when it's time to move on, the Home of the Brave doesn't let the veterans go empty handed. More times than not, the shelter helps furnish their next home through donations. The Director says this program is saving lives and proving to veterans that they do have support, even after they've served their country.

To find out how to help the Home of the Brave program, call 302-424-1681.

A proud father, a thriving businessman, a Vietnam veteran, Glenn Leichliter has been a lot of things in his lifetime. But of all the words used to describe himself, he never expected homeless to be one of them.

"I'm embarrassed first off, I'm really embarrassed because I'm homeless. I had a hard time at first telling the people that I know," said Leichliter.

Glenn was diagnosed with a bone disease, leaving him out of work, with a stack full of medical bills. The whole time he was battling a drug addiction.

"I was on the street. Then, here I am, sleeping in a dugout at the Georgetown baseball field," said Leichliter.

Glenn turned to Social Services and that's where he learned about the Home of the Brave, the only veterans shelter in Delaware.

"I couldn't get it out of my mind, homeless shelter. I'm thinking shelter, as this big auditorium filled with beds . . . beds, beds, beds, beds, you know, how they show it on television. All of your belongings underneath your bed, fights, you know and you stand with your soup bowl in line for three meals a day and what not and that was my perception," said Leichliter.

Instead he found hope, friendship, and a second chance. At the Home of the Brave, Glenn met Harry Wells. Wells is a vet with his own story, and for now, he's Glenn's roommate. The quarters show off their military roots. They're spotless with beds tightly made. Together, they check off their daily chores. These are tasks they take pride in.

"We became very close. If it weren't for the gentlemen here, this is my family," said Wells.

But now the pair is looking forward, together. They're saving their disability checks and planning for life after the shelter.

"Right now, I'd either be dead or in a mental institution, that's the truth," said Leichliter.

To them, that means a warmer climate and an apartment of their own. Glenn and Harry say they are forever grateful that they found the Home of the Brave, and each other.
 

As homeless families fight for their survival, roles often get reversed, as parents can not always provide for their kids, and the children worry about the future. Nonetheless, both carry the hope for a brighter road ahead.

Arnetta Williams and her family have endured much. For three months last year, in the dead of winter, they were without a home. They began by staying at a friend's residence, but their stay was temporary.

The family felt they had nowhere to turn. "I did not want to stay in a shelter because I had bad experiences one time before," said Williams. 10-year-old Jordan Curtis, Williams' son, confessed, "I thought that people were going to be mean to me and my mom."

In the end, the family stayed at the Code Blue shelter in Salisbury. It was there that they found the security they desperately needed.

Jordan smiled as he said, "They fed us and they gave us something to sleep on and they kept us warm. And I liked it." His older brother, 11-year-old Keshawn Williams, agreed. "I was happy because we could play stuff in a safe place," said Keshawn.

More obstacles were still ahead. "We lived in Somerset County. So they (the children) had to start a new school and start over," said Williams.

So her five children went to school, met their friends, came back to the shelter and did their homework. Along the way, though, they lost some of their innocence.

"I felt like kids were going to tease on me just 'cause I didn't have a place to live," admitted Jordan.

Both he and Keshawn were not ashamed to express their worry for their mother as well. Keshawn was honest. "It was hard on my mom," he said.

For their mother, the boys' concern became hers. "They still had their days in school when they were sad, and they were worried about me trying to get to work."

Kimberley Hyde, her husband and two children have been searching for work and a home for six months. She has already seen a change in one of her kids. "My daughter, she kind of withdrew," Hyde commented. However, she acknowledged the change came from a struggle over their roles. "They look to us as parents to protect them, to take care of them and provide for them. And when we can't, they don't understand."

For Williams and her family, that painful journey has come to an end. Last spring, they went from cots in a crowded shelter to their own beds in a new home. She rejoiced over her children's freedom. "I'm glad they can go into the backyard and don't have to worry about no one coming and bothering them. They're happy, and I'm happy," proclaimed Williams.

While more change was hard to swallow for Jordan, the move came with a welcome surprise. "I didn't think I was going to make friends at the new house. But as soon as we got there, one boy came knocking on the door," he grinned.

The Code Blue Shelter in Salisbury opens up January 1 for women and children. They are always in need of volunteers. To give of your time, call 410-742-9356.

Childhood is considered a carefree time. However, for at least 1,100 children in Wicomico County, worry is a part of life.

While education officials have strongly supported their homeless students, many are still struggling. Jackie Deal, the Homeless Project coordinator for the Wicomico Board of Education, said, "We're going to use everything we have to do what we need to do... All children who are homeless get free lunch, free meals in the county. If they want to participate in sports, and they can't afford the physical or if they can't afford the uniforms, we will cover those types of things."

The county has received a federal grant of over $40,000 to support this year's homeless students in the district, but even that is not enough. Community organizations have jumped in, donating school supplies and other services to ensure the children have access to all resources.

Despite the support, these students have much to bear. Psychologist Leslie Donnelly said, "These are children that often go from one school to another to another and don't develop friendships and also don't have consistency in their education."
Deal agreed. "Studies have shown the more mobility there is, there's a decrease in a student's academic achievement," she commented.

Dr. Donnelly has counseled the formerly homeless, and she says the effects are long-term. "[Because] children tend to internalize and blame themselves for whatever's going on, it affects them for the rest of their lives. If not financially and health-wise, if affects their self-esteem and sense of self worth."

She shared the experiences of one of her patients who had a secure job in auto repair, yet continued to de-value himself. "Even though he's acquired these skills, he's not getting paid what he should be getting paid, because he's not asking for it, because he doesn't feel that he's that valuable," said Dr. Donnelly sorrowfully.

Officials say this is a common trend that can, and must be prevented.

While there are no mental health professionals on school campuses, guidance counselors are available. The district says they can also link homeless students with professional help.

Over the past decade, advocates and shelter workers around the country have received reports of men, women and even children being harassed, kicked, set on fire, and beaten to death. Hate Crimes against the homeless are a growing problem. While it's hard to imagine a high school and college graduate would fall victim to homelessness that is the reality of Debbie Pickett.

"It's not very kind, the elements aren't kind as it is. It's just awful it's terrible," said Pickett.

Pickett has been homeless for a little more than two years now. She says a physical disability kept her from working. Unfortunately, getting back on her feet is not her only fight. She says street life for the homeless is rough. Pickett has been a victim of rape, and she, like many others, battle finding a safe place to lie their head at night, because they always have to be on guard.

"You just wake up fighting, the next thing you know what's going on. I woke up and that went on often. I woke up and my teeth were broken. Every tooth in my mouth," said Pickett, trying not to break down in tears.

Agencies who help the homeless say hate crimes are an issue law enforcement have difficulty resolving. The Executive Director for Hope and Life Outreach, also known as HALO, says the homeless victimized by violence often don't report it.

"It's sad because they don't know who attacks them, so it's one of those crime situations where its hard to find the person who did it. It's dangerous out there on the streets," said Celeste Savage.

Savage says HALO is planning to extend its services to protect more women and children seeking shelter.

U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin has recently introduced a bill to track the number of hate crimes committed against the homeless to see how widespread the problem is. Tune in to WMDT 47 at 6 on Thursday to hear why some say that won't be accomplished easily.

 

The President just signed legislation expanding hate crime laws to protect more people, but noticeably excluded from the list were homeless.
"There are some folks out there in the community that just have an instinctive hatred for the homeless people," said Jim Barnes, the Administrator of the Christian Shelter in Salisbury.
Violent acts against the homeless are an ongoing issue. Local agencies say the savagery is becoming more prevalent.
"It's getting worse out there on the streets. I think just looking at the crime rate in this area, whether you want to call it a hate crime. The crime rate is growing, and a lot of the homeless are going to be in the middle of it," said Celeste Savage, the Executive Director of HALO.
"On the streets it's hard, and then they take judgement and how they are as a person. Who are you to take judgement," said Marquis Pinkett, a homeless man living on the streets of Salisbury.
U.S. Senators are now paying attention to the issue and recently introduced legislation to track the number of hate crimes committed against the homeless to understand how extensive the problem is.
"We want to know if we need to develop new tools to protect the homeless population. Whether this elevates to a special type of criminal prosecution for those who attack homeless people, but before we take any steps we need to know the numbers, the facts," said Senator Ben Cardin. The Administrator of the Christian Shelter works closely with the homeless. He says documenting actual hate crimes will be a challenge.
"When you say hate, I'm not even sure how to define that. How to determine that was the motivation for the crime," said Barnes.
He says sometimes it's the homeless that initiate altercations.
"Sometimes they may have had a couple of drinks and come out of their mouth with some foolishness."
The Director of HALO, another agency that helps the homeless, disagrees. She says the homeless here on the Eastern Shore are not typically aggressive.
"If they walk alone and depending on what area they're walking through they can pretty much bank on they're going to get jumped. It's just a reality. Unfortunately, the homeless are victims in this situation because they are, in a lot of cases, helpless and they have no place to go," said Savage.
While resources are limited, several homeless shelters are reaching out to help.
Senator Ben Cardin says if the Hate Crimes Against Homeless Statistics Act is passed it would take only a few months to track the numbers of hate crimes against the homeless. Senator Cardin says then they can determine if any policies are needed to protect the homeless.