Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Tue, 3/9 2:43PM
26:39
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, homelessness, corners, stay, shelters, bridges, homeless, place, hospital, money,
criminal record, northwestern, women, housing, commons, wet, streets, care, seizures, augsburg
SPEAKERS
Mr X, Kathle... Show more
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Tue, 3/9 2:43PM
26:39
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, homelessness, corners, stay, shelters, bridges, homeless, place, hospital, money,
criminal record, northwestern, women, housing, commons, wet, streets, care, seizures, augsburg
SPEAKERS
Mr X, Kathleen Clark, Jenna Nelson
Kathleen Clark 00:00
So thank you for joining us today. My name is Katie Clark. I'm an assistant professor of
Nursing at Augsburg University. I just want to start off by saying Do you consent to being
interviewed and having the interview recorded and stored at Augsburg University, which
will be made available to the public?
M
Mr X 00:19
I understand that, yes, okay
Kathleen Clark 00:22
All right, and then Jenna Nelson is also with us a graduate nursing student.
M
Mr X 00:28
Yep.
Kathleen Clark 00:28
Thanks, so she'll just be helping with some of the questions, and what not so, Mr. X, that's
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 1 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
how you would like to be identified. Why don't you start off telling us a little bit about
yourself?
M
Mr X 00:42
Yeah, I was born, and raised in Colorado, and I lived in Iowa City for about 15 years, and I
got sent up here about over 20 years ago for treatment. Flunked that, worked up here for
a while, lost my job, and I've been up here ever since then, and homeless for 30 years, over
30 years, 30 years, 40 years, living under bridges, abandoned buildings, motels, sometimes
shelters.
Kathleen Clark 01:31
That's a long time to navigate living out on the streets that takes a lot of strength. What
brings you that strength, like how do you? Like how do you stay outside?
M
Mr X 01:45
Yeah, it was hard. It was very hard to sleep outside under bridges because sometimes you
picked the wrong bridge, and you get beat up, get robbed, so I just found certain people I
liked and could trust, and hung with them, and they were like a family. We took care of
each other, and kind of shared everything, and looked after each other.
Kathleen Clark 02:17
Wow, that’s important. So now who would you say your family is? Now as far as your
family when you were staying under the bridge and now you're not saying outside?
Correct?
M
Mr X 02:31
Yeah, I know most of them passed away, and the ones who are still alive are at the same
place I'm at, the wet-house.
Kathleen Clark 02:40
Okay
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 2 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
M
Mr X 02:43
So we still communicate, but we don't really stay together like we used to. We just don't
communicate as much as we used to.
Kathleen Clark 02:53
Sure. So when you say you live at a wet-house what is that, what is that like for you to live
in a wet-house?
M
Mr X 03:02
A little bit away it's a place for alcoholics. You could stay there until you die, or find
housing. Some people can't get into housing cuz they have criminal records. Felonies,
some got more felonies than I ever seen my life. It ain't funny, and they can't get any
housing so that's our last option.le do you find that it's like a good place to live? Or would
you rather not live there?
Kathleen Clark 03:27
So, when you're living there are people, do you find that it's like a good place to live or
would you rather not live there?
M
Mr X 03:37
Well, that's a hard question to ask. In some ways it's good, in some ways it's not too
pleasant. It's a place where I can lay my head, sleep, get cleaned up, and take a bath.
There are some people who I don’t like there and there is always some kind of problems,
fights breaking out, you know, “I don't like you, why should I like you? I don't wanna share
nothing with you, and just leave me alone.” Yeah, sometimes it's always a nice break now.
Kathleen Clark 04:12
Oh wow
M
Mr X 04:24
That's my second time I've been there
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 3 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Kathleen Clark 04:28
Did you, what happened were you there, and you found different housing, or you were
there, and you got kicked out?
M
Mr X 04:37
The first time I was there I stayed there for two years say, that was two years, yeah two
years and some dude wanted to steal my bottle and I turned around and broke his nose.
They came running out and they told me I'm kicked out and he's gonna stay and I was
back on the streets for a year and a half. I came back under the bridges, convention
center, band houses again, occasionally the shelters, but I didn't care for the shelters
because they didn't like me and I didn't like them and I just stayed outside.
Kathleen Clark 05:20
I remember when you were staying outside in-between your living at the wet-house you
had sometimes where you felt like police were targeting you at times.
M
Mr X 05:38
Yeah, yep.
Kathleen Clark 05:39
Can you tell me more about that?
M
Mr X 05:42
There are some places where I used to sleep behind Central Lutheran, but other people
found out about it and they were coming in there and throwing crack parties, drinking,
and smoking, and drinking, and just having the cops come over, and they would come up
to me. Like I don't know these people okay. Well you’re here you're not supposed to be on
church property so you gotta leave and they're going, “We don’t wanna see ya on church
property no more.”
Kathleen Clark 06:21
Wow. So how when did you start coming to the health commons?
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 4 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
M
Mr X 06:34
I would say about 15 years ago, 15, 10, maybe 10, 15 years ago.
Kathleen Clark 06:40
And how did you first find out about it?
M
Mr X 06:43
I just stumbled upon it. This is before the nurses getting here. There was just only a clothes
closet and lunch, nothing else.
Kathleen Clark 06:58
You've been coming for quite some time. What keeps you coming back to the health
common?
M
Mr X 07:03
Well, you.
Kathleen Clark 07:06
Well, I haven't been here that long.
M
Mr X 07:08
No, you've been here for what? 9 years, 10?
Kathleen Clark 07:12
Yeah, so what was it about the nurses that
M
Mr X 07:15
How you help out. People need something you're right there for them, aspirins, cough
drops, stuff like that, blood pressure.
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 5 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Kathleen Clark 07:27
And if there was something that you would consider changing about the health commons,
what would you change?
M
Mr X 07:33
I'm happy the way it is right now. Very happy satisfied.
Kathleen Clark 07:38
Well, I think us being in a trailer is an obvious, you know, challenge at times, but is there a
story you could share about your favorite time at the health Commons?
M
Mr X 07:52
Coming here?
Kathleen Clark 07:53
Yeah, like a good story or a memorable story.
M
Mr X 07:59
Not really, no, except meeting you that was about it. Well, the first time I met we started
talking the first maybe the first day or the second day you were here maybe weeks
afterwards.
Kathleen Clark 08:14
Yeah, that's true. And slowly over time, you talked more and more.
M
Mr X 08:18
Yeah got to know each other, yeah.
Kathleen Clark 08:21
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 6 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Yeah, I think another big thing that we need to know more about too is working in
inpatient in the hospitals, and the ERs, and all that kind of stuff, what are some things that
nurses should know if they're taking care of somebody who is homeless?
M
Mr X 08:42
You just have alcoholic seizures. I've had quite a few here. And you know what to do. They
weren't severe. Moderate seizures. And you know what to do even not even want to go
there. Because I go to the hospital and they shipped me out to detox. Be straight out with
me for three, four days.
Kathleen Clark 09:10
When you go to the hospital, do you feel like most of the time people treat you with
respect or do you feel like maybe you're stereotyped against?
M
Mr X 09:22
I don’t know anymore. I like going to Abbott Northwestern if there’s anything wrong with
me. I’d rather go to Abbott Northwestern because they're more compassionate and
considerate of my health. HCMC they just tell ya to shut-up and we're gonna strap you
down and I need to go to the bathroom we don't care yeah so if I do have any kind of
health problems yeah Abbott Northwestern. That's good to know. As far as homelessness
in general, what is a big issue that you think that people need to know and be aware of
that should be changed? It’s hard to find places these days to camp out. The first two
times I did it they were pretty easy to find, the third time and it was a little bit difficult
because I always went back to my old places and they turned into condos, hospitals,
restaurants, penthouses, but this last time it was hard to find and do anything.
Kathleen Clark 10:53
Being that you're from Colorado, and I understand you came to Minnesota, how come you
didn't go back to Colorado and you stayed in Minnesota?
M
Mr X 11:02
I went back home. But that was about 20 years ago, or 20 years ago. When I went back
there, most people were dead. Think it's kind of strange to people that grew up with were
either dead, moved out or in prison. So I said, well, there's nothing left here for me. And I
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 7 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
came back here because a guy reminds me of Colorado in some ways that don't sit well
enough stay here.
Kathleen Clark 11:37
Is there anything you want to share about your birth parents or where you grew up? You
don't have to, it’s up to you.
M
Mr X 11:43
I just grew up in foster homes, juvenile centers, foster homes. My parents and I there was
no communication with them at all. Except for out of my three brothers with me no
communications.
Kathleen Clark 12:02
That had to be really hard.
M
Mr X 12:06
I was used to. Because I beat up my brothers, my brothers were beat me. And my dad
would come home and beat the shit out of me and take off and disappear for a month.
They never did look for me. Never did. Yeah. When they tried to pick me back check off
again. It's like, fuck them. I had no communication with these people.
Kathleen Clark 12:43
Do you ever keep in contact with the foster families that you live with?
M
Mr X 12:49
Some of them have passed away. But when I did go home, they would choose to live. And
they would just wonder about my whereabouts. And I told them I'm still in Minnesota. You
were pretty good decent parents, or foster parents. Even though you're collecting money,
I knew that. You're getting money to get paid to watch your roommate. Feed me and
clothe me.
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 8 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Kathleen Clark 13:18
How about you Jenna? Do you have any questions that I'm not asking or you could think
about?
J
Jenna Nelson 13:25
I guess I Where do you think you find like the most resources for like, do you go to
churches a lot when you were when you didn't have like a shelter to get food or health
care?
M
Mr X 13:35
No, at the wet house they feed you over there. They got a shower, laundry you can wash
clothes they're nothing but sometimes it's good sometimes it's not worth eating
Kathleen Clark 13:49
Do you have a one-bedroom apartment or room? How does that work?
M
Mr X 13:54
Rooms like this, a little bit bigger okay. So I got my TV and my clothes there anything I
have it's there
Kathleen Clark 14:05
Do you feel like, because I know there's a big debate about wet-houses using taxpayer
dollars to house individuals, but the long-term financial savings are supposed to be pretty
remarkable. Do you think that since you've been in a wet-house you've not been admitted
as much to a hospital or gone to detox as much, do you feel like you've been able to more
have a home and not go into those other services much?
M
Mr X 14:34
Yea, I do I get my own housing, but since I got a criminal record that's pretty hard to do
now because I used to get my own places. I mean just like that and some organizations
came by and looked me over and said, “well you got a criminal record? We’ll help ya,” but
they never did. They would come by, and just chitchat, and chitchat, and chitchat. They
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017
Page 9 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
didn’t look into nothing. I just want to come by chit chat. So I just said, “don't waste my
time don't come by and just a chit chat every week, it's mundane, you're wasting your
time, you’re wasting my time, just a chit chat about nothin
Kathleen Clark 15:29
So when you know, you know, you want to get your own place? Is there people who help
you a lot with that? Or do you have to apply for things kind of independently?
M
Mr X 15:40
I don’t know how they found me. I really don't know how these housing organizations knew
about me, but they just came out of the blue and told me to come by and give them a call
and they'll come by. Most of them were up in Saint Paul, and yea, all three of them were
up in Saint Paul.
Kathleen Clark 16:02
As far as like applying for health insurance, how is that?
M
Mr X 16:07
What is that insurance?
Kathleen Clark 16:08
Yeah, like if you were to apply for health insurance. I don't know if you have health
insurance or not, but is the process pretty complex and difficult or is it for other people to
help with that, how has that process been?
M
Mr X 16:20
I've seen people get a place where I'm at right now. I got set up at the wet-house I talked
to a couple of people, and they got a place just in a month. I hope I've been working with
them for months on end and it's not leading up to nowhere so congratulations to you, but
this really sucks, it really sucks. They say are you jealous, and I say, yeah I should be a little
bit jealous maybe you don't well I think they take mostly people whose more mentally ill,
more unstable, don't take them for us because they look at me well you've been homeless
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017 Page 10 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
for all your life, you know how to take care of yourself, so there's nothing wrong with you.
If it was maybe we could help you, but you seem reasonable enough you could take care
of yourself.
Kathleen Clark 17:22
So being that you have you know you have a history of seizures and what not do you have
health insurance right now.
M
Mr X 17:28
Uhuh, Medica.
Kathleen Clark 17:30
You do? Medica and do you have to apply for that quite frequently or is it something
that…
M
Mr X 17:34
No, they came out of the blue too because I was getting Blue Cross and Blue Shield then I
got terminated from that then I got medical assistance and they said I over qualify for
that so then I got Medicaid and they help if I need to get a bus card you know to my
appointments, it helps.
Kathleen Clark 18:04
That's good, that's awesome.
M
Mr X 18:07
They used to help me get a leg braces, but they can't do that and well they cut that off,
they cut somethings off.
Kathleen Clark 18:18
What do you think homelessness will look like? 20 years from now?
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017 Page 11 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
M
Mr X 18:24
I hope I don't I hope I'm not around this.
Kathleen Clark 18:30
What would you say your biggest source of strength is? What's your biggest source of
strength right now? That what brings you the most strength?
M
Mr X 18:43
Well, my friends particularly the ones that listen to what I have to what I say. Yeah, the
ones I could talk to.
Kathleen Clark 18:49
The ones that you stay under the bridges with and everything. That's wonderful, that's
good that you have that.
M
Mr X 18:54
Like I said, we don't mingle like we used to, but we do. We do.
Kathleen Clark 19:01
So can you tell me a little bit about panhandling?
M
Mr X 19:06
I spend most of my time signing. It's hard to do that, stand on a corner with a sign trying
to make something, money, food, clothes. On a given day I can make some money, some
days food, other days nothing. On my good day I made a hundred dollars one day. I
thought it was a ten. She folded it up as a ten and I stood out there for maybe two hours
snowing, raining some lady just popped me a ten and no cars no nothing I unfolded it that
was a hundred dollar bill.
Kathleen Clark 19:57
So what would you say? Like, are people usually pretty respectful? Or are they rude?
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017 Page 12 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
M
Mr X 20:06
They’re respectful, they’ll roll down the windows and say I'm sorry I don't have this but
here's a pair of gloves or I don't well that works thank you hygiene products gift cards or
other times over those roll down the window say get a job. I tell them this is my job, so
technical. I tell them same thing. I know that most people are considerate. If they have an
apple, or an orange, change, a cup of coffee, and I go that’s too bad, but, yeah.
Kathleen Clark 20:59
I know you have so much knowledge and so much experience with your length of
homelessness I there a topic that people don't usually talk about that needs awareness
like our you know is there too much violence against women on the streets are there like
like for example how does it work let's say you're on the busiest intersection and shower
traffic how is it decided who gets those corners?
M
Mr X 21:36
We have to take turns by Basilica around Institute. I don't go in that area because there's
maybe about 20 people waiting to get in there went out 20 people maybe 15 10 and
they're just standing around there so they give you that time limit from what I'm told they
give me a 30 minutes 45 minutes if you're not making nothing they’ll tell you to get off the
corner and say next
Kathleen Clark 22:08
Do you have to share your money when things like that happen?
M
Mr X 22:11
Oh no. There's somebody down there all the time kind of regulating? Who's in and who's
out. Is Yeah, down by Basilica and down there. There's a lot of fights over there.
Kathleen Clark 22:25
Like I have heard women say that they exchange sex for corners at certain hours.
M
Mr X 22:31
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017 Page 13 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Well, I heard that too. Yeah.
Kathleen Clark 22:35
I've also heard some discussions around certain corners like sometimes it's people who are
more using heroin and then another corner there might be more people who are drinking
alcohol.
M
Mr X 22:48
Yeah, yeah. That's true too. I don't shoot up I just have a few quick bumps to get me warm,
give me enough courage to get out there and do it just doing it sober is kind of
embarrassing on why am I out here this is embarrassing I need stuff to there get you
motivated to do it. MX: Yeah, if you go down by Basilica you’ll see quite a few people
waitin and hit those corners at Basilica. I guess that I'll go in that area I got my own little
area well there's only me and there's two other people, and we’ll work in series of each
other well hey I'm done do you want to take over you can have it.
Kathleen Clark 23:49
Let's say I was to become homeless tomorrow what is one thing of advice you would give
me if I was a newly homeless individual if I was a newly homeless person what advice
would you give me?
M
Mr X 24:02
I would tell you where to go like which place to go to like who can really help you like
central Lutheran. I would say Mary Jo’s, but I heard that kind of a turn over a new leaf
they don't help out as much they used to the Red Cross some of the churches st. Stephens
Simpsons they'll help how to get situated, St. Olaf’s.
Kathleen Clark 24:36
I know there's like all this talk about all these ends or plans and homelessness. What
would your plan to end homelessness look like?
M
Mr X 24:44
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017 Page 14 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Look like no there always will be homelessness because I know a friend she's doing that
but she's working for Homeless Connect trying to get people out of homelessness and
stuff and I'll don’t see nothing in it, I don't see no any improvements I tell her that too yeah
there’s always gonna be homelessness. She says, yea well we’re tryin. Yea, you’re tryin, but
I see more homeless people then I used to see 20, 30 years ago. The first time I didn't see
women with kids on the corners trying to survive and now every time I’m outside I'll see
woman with kids trying to sign tryin to tryin to make something. First time, no I never seen
it, now I've seen even more women with kids being homeless and trying to sign do what
they gotta do. I have some money occasionally I'll do it for them. I'll help them out. Other
times if it’s a dude no I didn’t it, I ain't gonna help you man cuz I know what you're gonna
do with your money. You're gonna go out and blow it all get drunk get high no I'd rather
help a woman with a kid than help you.
Kathleen Clark 26:23
Well, thank you so much for your time. Mr. X, you've answered so many important
questions and shared so much so we appreciate that.
M
Mr X 26:33
Thank you.
Oral History Interview with "Mr.X," 2017 Page 15 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Thu, 08/08 11:18AM
29:05
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, transitional housing, commons, students, women, stay, nursing, affordable housing,
homeless, health, central, church, public housing, nurses, place, group, question, minneapolis, grew,
lunch
SPEAKERS
Jenna Ne... Show more
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Thu, 08/08 11:18AM
29:05
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, transitional housing, commons, students, women, stay, nursing, affordable housing,
homeless, health, central, church, public housing, nurses, place, group, question, minneapolis, grew,
lunch
SPEAKERS
Jenna Nelson, Kathleen Clark, Debra Rye
K
Kathleen Clark 00:00
So my name is Katie Clark. I'm Assistant Professor of Nursing at Augsburg University.
Thank you for joining us today. Deb before we get started, do you consent to be
interviewed and having the interview stored at Oxford University's library, which will be
made available to the public?
D
Debra Rye 00:16
Yes, I give my consent.
K
Kathleen Clark 00:19
That's wonderful. Okay down Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
D
Debra Rye 00:23
Okay, I I grew up in Albert Lea Minnesota. Um, graduated from high school in 71. went to
college at Mexico State until 75. But I didn't graduate. Then I am move back to Albert lead
tried to get some work but I didn't. ended up with a situation in 78 where I moved away
from Albert Lea and was up north. I have a situation where in 1989 I found myself still
shelter across the street. Central Lutheran Church, that time central had a clothes closet.
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 1 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
And Health Commons got quite started yet. So I wasn't really familiar with the area, but I
found myself staying downtown until I found more permanent housing was this was my
first familiarity with cetera. And then a few years later, the health comments, I think
started. I was 9192 92. But because I had been going to the Monday church service that
central had available for people.
D
Debra Rye 01:40
I found myself meeting Bev Nilsson and at the time, the nursing center was located in the
basement and then at two doors. It was kind of hard it was I kind of let there be They had
some hygiene items, and I had problems with my blood pressure. So it was a good place
for me to go on to get my blood pressure checked. Okay, so then....
K
Kathleen Clark 02:14
where were you living at that time? were you living in Minneapolis?
D
Debra Rye 02:17
I was living in Minneapolis, but I stayed in the shelter for a few, like maybe three weeks
when I found housing over on the West Bank, in Minneapolis, so I stayed in. I stayed over
there for a while. And I didn't really come back over this way was living around the West
Bank. And then in that early part of the 90s, I had in and out of the hospital with some
mental health issues. And when I had that sometimes I would lose my LZ and I found
myself eventually Over in the Stevens community area, which is close to Central. And by
that time, Bev I think what has like, I think she, she retired. She was hanging around for a
while, but I'm Ruth and Linda became a new directors. And as I'm trying to figure out one
that was I think it was like '99-2000. Somewhere around there somewhere around that.
But I still was connected with the church because of the Monday lunch and the church
service because I really found the church service was something that was appealing to
me. They had a minister there was was familiar for, for my own town, this his wife had
growing up. So I was kind of connected more to the church part. And slowly then, as these
new couple of directors came in, I got to know
K
Kathleen Clark 04:03
So what do you remember about? Why did you want to start the health comes, you
remember that at all?
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 2 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
D
Debra Rye 04:10
Well, there was some there was a minister that she was talking to, to try and find a place
where she could have like a walk in place where you could talk to a nurse, and I can't wait
to get right that's right. But they they came up with a plan and the damage approved by
the central console. And so she was able to I don't know how she raised your money to get
I don't know if that was an issue. But um, there was some controversy at first to get
started, but it got eventually she got it approved with the help one of the minister's Not
remember which minister it was, I could see his face
K
Kathleen Clark 05:05
Well, so how does how is the health Commons now compared to when it first began?
D
Debra Rye 05:13
Oh first began It was more like you just kind of walked in and get some ideas and maybe if
there was time you would get your blood pressure taken. I think she had somebody come
to help like a receptionist type person, and she did keep records. So she kept records. I
would say that it was more than he did. He didn't get to know I didn't get to know Ben
really well. She didn't get to know me it was more. Pick up some hygiene or pair of socks
and and go on.My Way, as, as shedeveloped the nursing program, I think what happened
was, they were more nursing students. So when it starts out it is kind of slow as you kind
ofexplain it, and it was good as just but it was justnot as many people involved, you know.
Andthen as they had the two directors then they would have maybe a student that was
working on their masters or their deep doctorate degree would maybe stay there longer.
So it depends, you know, I'm...I don't know what to say.
K
Kathleen Clark 06:40
Well no, that's perfect, because I mean, there's so much like, I feel like some of the
numbers, like looking at the numbers from the first year till now like the first year's
numbers compared to now are much smaller, and it was much more white or much now.
It's a lot more diverse, you know, so I just see like in the numbers, things have shifted, but I
don't have the stories to capture what is behind those numbers. Is that really the reality of
what happened or is that what you saw?
D
Debra Rye 07:19
When I first started coming it was smaller groups and it was mostly white people. And
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 3 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
then I think probably around '93, '92-'93, there was more immigrants that came in we had
a lot more mixture of people coming and it just kind of grew. So it was more Hispanic and
African primarily Somalian people that will come that we didn't have before. And it just
happened to be because that's they came to Minnesota and since we were so located
centrally people found out about the free sex and the hygiene and the lunch. So yeah, it
that that there was a significant change. And I can't tell you exactly what year because I
don't remember but there was a significant change in immigration in the Twin Cities in the
90s. And that,that helped her. I mean, we had more people coming to the church and for
the Monday luncheon, and that's what it changed.
K
Kathleen Clark 08:36
I just seems like the numbers of homeless individuals in Minneapolis has grown as well.
Like as the numbers grew, it kind of follows the trend of like what Wilders has seen and all
that too, you know, from--
D
Debra Rye 08:48
As the immigration came it was harder to find more places Lyft because of the more
people that needed low income housing or affordable housing, and it just isn't enough
that you? I mean, I don't think there's any new public housing from when I first came here.
I think just the high rises are the same. I don't think they built any new Minneapolis Public
Housing, for sure. But I might be wrong. There might be little other places other maybe
transitional housing. I know I'm aware because of transitional housing, then I ended up in
later.
K
Kathleen Clark 09:28
So what keeps you coming back to the House of Commons because 1992 till now, that's
25 years.
D
Debra Rye 09:35
Yeah, I kept on coming back. I think part of being dis-on disability, and not really making
very many friends, I developed a rapport with the nurses, and I just kept on coming back
because they were nice to me. And sometimes when we go out like maybe once a week
we love for coffee and talking, she would accompany both Ruth and Linda, with
sometimes it company names, doctors appointments. And it was the some support that I
didn't have from other people, it was a good thing. That way she could learn about what
it's like to be someone like that I was, you know, marginalized. And she could learn what
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 4 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
was like for me to go through the hoops like going to the psychologist going to primary
care going even to a dentist.
K
Kathleen Clark 10:44
When I think like for me a question for you would be now you're volunteering here. And I
hear a lot of people say, when you are no longer homeless, it's hard to sometimes go back
to be around people who are homeless and to secure housing. So I just see so much
strength from the fact that you come back and volunteer.What--
D
Debra Rye 11:06
Well, I don't think of the people that I've met. Here, there are still some that I knew when I
was homeless. I'm not saying that I'm really close, intimate to a lot of people, but I still
care. Just like I know that how hard it is to be outside, or how it's like to not have to go eat
a lunch, not making your own lunch. I know what that's like, I understand all that. It's like I
know how to hold someone's hand on that hungry, because I've been hungry. And I still
feel in my heart that there's something that I can do. And and this is a place where I could
just be here and see people that I have that that my face might be struggling. And I don't
know if I give them my support, but I've just been there with them, because I've been there.
K
Kathleen Clark 12:00
So if there is something that you could change about the Health Commons now, is there
anything that you can think about that you change?
D
Debra Rye 12:12
I think sometimes we get sometimes we get a lot of people and I think sometimes there
might be people that want to talk one on one, and they just don't have enough time,
because it's just too busy. And there's not enough staff together.
K
Kathleen Clark 12:30
And being in the trailer this year is not helping--
K
Kathleen Clark 12:32
And then then, yeah, being in a trailer is not helpful.
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 5 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
D
Debra Rye 12:35
But all things going to be better new site to understand it bigger and better.
K
Kathleen Clark 12:41
So you are the founder of the women's group, etc. Can you tell me more about that?
D
Debra Rye 12:47
Well, we used to own sometimes during the time that the Health Commons was open, I
would go in they had another room and we will sit and talk, especially if there was wasn't
too many people there. And we had a separate room. So you can have some privacy that
I guess I have to go back down to say, when you want to talk to staffers or nurse or
something, you don't get as much privacy as you think. And I guess that would be the one
thing. There was that room that we could go and sit and talk. And then I said you know. I
mean, it took a long time for me to get to know and they and and Ruth and Linda and
whoever, there was jewels there and Martha was there, it takes a while to develop a
relationship and if I know. But in regards to that, there needed to be a place where I could
find a group of people. And I didn't know who they were going to be. But I said to Ruth
one day, it would be better if we add a group just for women, to see how other people are
getting along and see if we could have some kind of relationships, trusting and built on,
you know, honesty and not, you know, like sometimes I'd be on the street and as
somebody were working, and they wouldn't tell me eager to find out things that I needed
to know. So, um, I believe, I think one of the students was working on a paper. And as she
got to know other women, I think that's how it really started was Sandy, getting the
women to come? And I think that's how it really got developed because of the graduate
student working on meeting other women and getting the time to get together.
K
Kathleen Clark 14:44
Can you tell me what a typical women's group look like? People probably won't know...
D
Debra Rye 14:51
It could be. there was all kinds of different people. I mean, there somebody summer and
have them come to the church or the health Commons or the clothes closet with their
friends or some come alone in so many different walks of life. But mostly because we were
poor, or we were grandparents that didn't that needed to help our grandchildren find
some clothes and things like that. So there's a lot of I mean, some women might have
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 6 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
lived on North Minneapolis didn't matter where, but I think we can because there was the
clothing available and the nursing available. So
K
Kathleen Clark 15:44
When I know when they had bus cards, it was very well attended. And it's been a little less
attended the last two years, but...
D
Debra Rye 15:52
Well, I think it would be good as just, you know,when it first started, there was some groups
that have been coming. And not just coming to the health conference, but we've gotten to
know each other in the church thing or the, you know, the Monday service. And we had
developed friendships through that by having lunch together, eating together. And so that
just kind of carried over into when, when the health commerce decided to do the women's
group, just kind of there was some luminary there that just came, you know, so I don't, and
then some people have moved out of state and, you know, not everybody stays around.
So now it's trying to get that I don't really get that core group get dedicated. Again, I think
maybe the Busker had something to do with it, but but also there was women that had
been coming here on a regular basis. And and, and we just a little just decided to come to
the women's group, I just ended up starting another group, but would be a great idea.
K
Kathleen Clark 17:09
So how have the students have been incorporated from the start? And how do you see the
students contributing to the health comments? Besides, you know, creating the women's
group, but how about when we're open on a regular day? Or the students you see the
students is helping and, and this is vital to their education?
D
Debra Rye 17:31
Well, you know, it's different for each student, because they might be from Rochester and
ever, and they might not have any familiarity with? Well, I don't know how to say this. It
depends upon the students background. And I've noticed that some students, not very
many, but little walk out of here and say, I'm never coming back here again. I mean, I
don't want to say that it's just that the familiarity with I'm poor person. And that might like
I don't know what it's like to be well to do. And if I was even middle income, I don't know
what that's like, or, and so, I might come I might swear more, I might not have a nice
haircut, I might not wear makeup. I mean, I might look different to someone that comes
from middle class or, you know, I might, you know, I don't know how to explain it. But if you
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 7 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
don't understand mental illness, chemical dependency, and you see someone that comes
in, staggering, it might be overwhelmed. So on a very rare occasion, I, a student might
walk out. I mean, I've seen it a couple of times, but mostly, in most cases, the students are
eager to learn and up here. Yes. And once I get adjusted to the environment, if things fine,
because people like to listen. And it goes both ways.
K
Kathleen Clark 19:12
So if you were to give any advice to nurses taking care of people in the hospital, or
working in ER, or anything like that, what suggestions would you have for people to be
able to connect to somebody who might be homeless? Or have mental illness or any of
those things? What is a good? What should nurses know?
D
Debra Rye 19:32
Well, main thing is need to listen to people. But if I come in there if I was intoxicated, I
don't know how I would react because you need to take appropriate means the council
down. So I don't know what a nursing role does for that. I mean, because that's different.
Because you could I could like, in me, I could swing at somebody and not not because I've
wasted, didn't want, you know, I don't want to be restrained. I don't think anybody wants
to be restrained. But when you're out of control, or if you're having a psychotic break, I
don't know how I don't know what personally will, how you're trained to deal with that. But
when someone comes in and they're sober, and they're been on the street, haven't had
any sleep for a few nights are hungry. The main thing is to listen to people and trying to
figure out what their needs are at the time. You know, sometimes I would end up in the
hospital, but I'm not everybody's going to be and then not need them have the need to
speak in the hospital. So I guess having the resources or the know how, where can you put
somebody? which shall can they go to because they don't have a place to sleep? You
mean, you can't use the hospital as a shelter? So I mean, I know some people go to the ER
one and just too old and have nowhere else to go. So having having the knowledge of
where the resources I suppose this is know that now some people just get escorted off the
grounds, you know, but you're not..well that's all I know.
K
Kathleen Clark 19:33
Well and then I know that you talked about affordable housing be lack of affordable
housing being an issue, which is very well documented as a problem in this city, for sure,
and the county and the state. But if there was one thing that people should really work on
around homelessness, do you have an idea of what from your perspective? What would
that be? What do people need who are experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty?
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 8 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
D
Debra Rye 22:02
I had to use transitional housing, the waiting list for public housing, I don't think they're
taking names. So transitional housing can be a possibility. But here again, is still the same
thing. Where they going to have it out who's in what apartment? What landlord is going
to allow some of his units used for transitional housing. That's a big deal. I don't there is no
solution. As long, you know, people that I know people that are have two, three jobs and
they still can't find affordable housing. That's that's a big things.
K
Kathleen Clark 22:50
One other question as a woman who's experienced homelessness or living in extreme
poverty, what has that been like? Because I've, I've heard people say that it's a lot different
for women to experience that than men.
D
Debra Rye 23:05
Well, I'm remember, where can I go to the bathroom? That was a big deal. Or if I had my
period, I don't have any town. So can I get some? But of course, the main thing was not
being sexually abused on the street not being that was a big deal. And trying to stay
sober. Now, does that mean outside being homeless? Here, it's it's very difficult. Usually, I
didn't have money. So then I'm going from one place for breakfast, another place for
lunch. And that's how it's set up. You can go and keep you moving around. That's how the
city does it. keep you moving around from place to get another meal. But you so
vulnerable, because I'm sure there's guys that just drive around that area, because you're
so somebody say you want a pack of cigarettes, or you know, I mean, it's just bad. It's not
safe does not. I remember trying to avoid somebody and run into a police officer. And the
police officer says, we'll just keep going with that person. He kept me is this stay with that
person? I'm like, Oh, you can't find any help. So I gotta stop because this is too much.
K
Kathleen Clark 24:41
No, that's fine. We also have a graduate student, Jenna Nelson here as well. Jenna, do you
want to introduce yourself?
J
Jenna Nelson 24:49
I'm Jenna.
Kathleen Clark 24:51
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 9 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
K
Kathleen Clark 24:51
I should introduce you at the beginning. I just want to make sure that Do you have any
questions as far as or is there anything I'm missing?
J
Jenna Nelson 25:00
No, I can't think of anything. I think it was like a health care. Like what would you need
from like, er nurses? Or like, I think you kind of shared that. And then I don't know, are
there any other like services that you know,
D
Debra Rye 25:14
There's one thing about your lot of times I I have like high blood pressure. But I might not
get I might be without medicine. So I wouldn't have high blood pressures, because I
wouldn't have my medicine. So that's one of the reasons that I would have to go to the ER
because I will, I was with my heart condition. That's a big deal to if you're homeless, you
might not have your medicine. Or I remember staying at a shelter. And I had to go get
verification from the Tony. And I left my stuff in my room. And my when I came back, they
had gotten rid of all of it, because they had a rule or something. And I'm like, Are you
kidding me? Like, and that happened to me more than one occasion you're sent out
because they have a rule that you have to get this verification for housing, and then you
come back and then other stuff is gone. So yeah, I mean, homeless, you lose your stuff a
lot. So it's good place that good thing that central as close it because sometimes you
don't have a need, or you just got one outfit? Or someone who's still your coach. That's
another thing. All right.
K
Kathleen Clark 26:45
Did you have anything? Would you say?
J
Jenna Nelson 26:47
Oh, so I guess the other question was like, what, where do you go? Like, I guess what are
other places you go to that he's found helpful. So it sounds like the comments have been
helpful when you start going to this church, did that seem to help?
D
Debra Rye 26:59
Yeah, then there was there was a place on Franklin Avenue was called Catholic Charities
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 10 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
that was open early in the morning. So you can get some hot cereal, why don't drink
coffee, but it was a place to sit. If you if I was out all night, that'd be the first place I would
go because that'd be the first place that was open. And that place might I then you got to
find a place where you can take a shower. And so there's Sharing and Caring Hands. And
there was there was another place. There was a woman shelter. That's not there anymore,
but it was on Franklin. So sometimes I find myself staying there. But you had to be out in
at seven in the morning. And you couldn't come back until three. But the good thing about
that was you could start to rebuild in. I apply for apartments and then you had a mailing
address. That's another thing. Where can you get where can people contact you if you're
homeless? And so I did for a while have a post office box at the main post office in
downtown Minneapolis. Because I needed to have an address where people can write to
me and say my apartment was available.
K
Kathleen Clark 28:35
You have such a wealth of knowledge and information and stories. So thank you i Is there
anything else you want to add or share? Or I think I asked you all the questions I really had
on my agenda.
D
Debra Rye 28:52
Okay. I can't think of anything and I hope I gave you some insight.
K
Kathleen Clark 28:59
Thank you. So you're done.
D
Debra Rye 29:00
You're welcome. [they all laugh]
RG 21.4.2017.11.27a.Rye.mp3
Page 11 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less