Zettie's Papa has died and Mama is struggling to find a steady job so they can rent an apartment. Zettie and her Mama are living in their car. A Shelter in Our Car, by Monica Gunning, tells a beautiful story about “unwavering love, support and gutsy determination,” of a mother and her daughter trying to make a home in America.
Award winning author, Monica Gunning was born in Jamaica, West Indies. She attended school in the United States and became a teacher. She has also written two books of poetry for children, “Not a Copper Penny in Me House” and “Under the Breadfruit Tree.”
What inspired you to write a book about homelessness?
I was inspired to write about the homeless because I participated in a Methodist Church project to provide lunches on Sundays for homeless people that congregated in a neighborhood park.
Can you describe your experiences working with the homeless?
I had the opportunity to talk to some of these homeless people and discovered that some were physically and mentally ill, but others were victims of circumstances – like the loss of jobs and inability to find work for long periods of time –death of a parent or guardian –inability to pay rent or obtain affordable housing. As I prepared lunches on Sunday, it made me more compassionate.
Zettie and her Mama are living in a car. Why did you place them in a car instead of a shelter?
I placed Zettie and her mother in a car instead of a shelter because shelters do not accommodate homeless people indefinitely. One of the homeless told me that some of their possessions were stolen in a shelter and they were sometimes crowded and noisy.
In addition to not having a safe and secure home, what are some of the other problems homeless children face?
The problems that homeless children face are psychological problems of insecurity, lack of proper nutrition, loneliness in moving from place to place, exposure to crime, lack of adequate clothing and books.
What do you want children to understand about being homeless?
I would like for children to understand that homelessness could happen to anyone who is without a job for an indefinite period of time and cannot afford to pay rent, or if they're evicted for non-payment of rent, and cannot find the money for another apartment which entails first and last month's rent and security deposit.
How can children help the homeless?
Children can help the homeless by being kind and understanding. They could do a class project in Social Studies after learning about the plight of homeless persons by writing letters to Walmart and K-mart and soliciting donations of food and clothing for a “Shelter Bank” at their school. They could assemble kits with a toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth and soap for homeless children. They could start a food drive at their school for easily opened cans such as sardines, lunchmeats, bread and cookies. Homeless families could collect [the items] there or the kids could bring the items to a shelter.
How can families help the homeless?
Families can help the homeless by providing shelter. My church opens its social hall for the homeless to sleep once a month during the rainy season. They have to be supervised to make sure they are orderly and leave everything clean. They are usually fed a hot meal.
You were born in Jamaica, West Indies. When you came to live in America was it difficult for you to get settled in a new country?
I came to relatives in the United States, but as soon as I got a job I lived at the YWCA and went to college at nights.
Are there differences about being homeless in Jamaica and homeless in the United States?
When I lived in Jamaica, there weren't any homeless people around. I can't say how it is for these times, but I do know the concept of extended families was popular then and is still in force. People would let a homeless person stay in a room off the outdoor kitchen. But then, in Jamaica there are no winters to be concerned about; only hurricanes.
FamilyCares thanks Monica Gunning for her time and for the moving book, A Shelter in Our Car. It helps us to understand the difficulties and daily struggles the homeless face.
Maureen Byrne
This interview was conducted by email in October 2005.
