
I read the Washingoton Post for a few reasons.
1. Kornheiser and Wilbon write for them and they’re the best!
2. If I really want to know what’s going on in Washington, what better place to get the info than there
And when I was reading it online this morning during breakfast, I came across this crazy story in the Washington Post today about how 30-45 percent of D.C. homeless people have cellphones, and how they’re essential to their way of life.
Who would have known?
The Post talks to several homeless people and advocates, but Chris, a recovering crack addict, probably has most the stereotype-busting story of all. He works various entry-level jobs and keeps his homelessness a secret from employers (for obvious reasons), but lost a job at a Verizon call center last year when his boss couldn’t reliably get in touch with him. Now that he has a cellphone, employers can call him anytime they need an extra hand, and he’s even been promoted at one of his jobs, despite being homeless.
Others use the phones to keep up with food stamps and various appointments or to take pictures. You’de also lose you mind if you saw how many homeless busted out their cells to take pictures when Michelle Obama worked a soup kitchen (pic above).
But it doesn’t end there. The real kicker is that a bunch of them blog as well with blogs hosted at Streats.tv.
It really is a fascinating story and who knows, maybe it will change the way you look at the homeless.
Tags: cell phones, homeless, jobs, survey, Washington Post, worldgaming