I am a now FORMER resident of Bradenton, and my last two months there really opened my eyes. Why, you ask? Those last two months were spent HOMELESS on the streets of Downtown Bradenton (and as a result, was transported NUMEROUS times to Manatee Memorial Hospital by Manatee County EMS). I sat (and tried to sleep) in several spots Downtown. My final two weeks, however, were spent almost completely sleepless at the Manatee County Area Transit Downtown Station due to a price tag placed on my head.

I was born in Sarasota, and grew up in Bradenton. I can honestly say I have NEVER been more disappointed in the city or more disappointed in the Bradenton Police Department than I was on the streets of Downtown. I know the City of Bradenton has a “No Camping” Ordinance, which I can understand, as most cities (if not all cities) don’t want to see someone homeless TRYING to get some rest on a park/bus bench, behind vacant buildings, or wherever someone can find a spot to relax (I will NOT be saying where my spot was, for obvious reasons). Mayor Poston, you and Chief Radzilowski seem to think alike when it comes to the “solution” of your city’s homeless problem: A trip to the Manatee County Jail for either Camping or Trespassing.

Now onto the “help” for the City’s homeless. The Salvation Army Complex at 1204 14th Street West in Bradenton provides a temporary solution, but they only allow a person to stay seven nights for free. After the seven nights are up, you then have to pay ten dollars per night. For those lucky enough to be able to find work, that would be no problem. But, for those who are unable to find work for one reason or another (i.e., medical issues, mental issues, etc.), they have to risk a trip either to jail or the morgue in order to get some sleep. I have an idea for the city to cut down on unnecessary trips to jail for those who are legitimately doing nothing but trying to get a decent nights’ sleep. I’ll get to that later.

There aren’t many kind words I can say about the Bill Galvano One Stop Center at 701 17th Avenue West in Bradenton. The staff is kind and helpful for about the first three days you’re a client. After that, you’re pretty much on your own. Only one staff member at the One Stop Center (that I know of) actually takes time to get to know you and your story, and that’s Ed, who runs the computer area. As for the rest of the staff, the inattention towards certain illicit activities is, for lack of a better phrase, quite sickening. They’re quick to call BPD when someone strolls up to the front and causes trouble, but nary a word is said when there are narcotic-related and alcohol-related problems out on the patio where everyone sits (and staff members walk right by). They offer all kinds of assistance online (employment assistance, clothing, haircuts, MCAT bus passes, rent/utility assistance), but when someone comes to them for help, they have all sorts of rules or excuses to they can politely turn a person away. Why offer all these services when you just turn people away?

For the folks who live on the boats at the Twin Dolphin Marina in Downtown Bradenton. Unless you know how a person ended up homeless, don’t start jumping to conclusions. Just because you’re better off than someone in that situation does NOT mean you’re BETTER than someone in that situation. Remember, in this economy, EVERYONE is just two weeks away from ending up homeless. For those of you who like to pass judgment BEFORE you know the WHOLE story, I am now going to quote Matthew 7:1-14 (KJV): “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” These words are what many who are homeless live by.

Now, I have a few words for Bradenton’s finest. A few officers made me feel just a little bit safer, and you know who you are. To the rest of you who tried (but failed) to make my life more of a living hell than it already was (and to Chief Radzilowski), I’m still standing. I may be receiving help from family, but I’m still standing, and you were not – I repeat: NOT – able to completely break my spirit.

For those of you who assume you know what it’s like to be homeless, I invite you to spend just TWO WEEKS living “on the streets” of Downtown Bradenton. My main goal is to open city leaders’ eyes as to what the hell is going on in Bradenton with the homeless problem.

If you choose to accept this challenge, you will have to abide by these terms to truly “get” what it’s like to be homeless:

- You only get TWO (2) nights at the Salvation Army (those will be your first two nights “on the streets”)
- You will have to spend two weeks “on the streets” of Downtown Bradenton
- You will be allowed only ONE Walmart bag of clothes
- You will be allowed to carry NO MORE than $5.00 in your pocket
- Your best bet in the always unpredictable Florida weather would be to keep a refillable water bottle on you at all times
- You may use public facilities, but only during NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS
- One Stop Center: ONE meal per day (Monday – Friday) at 10:00am
- BREAD FROM ONE STOP WILL BECOME YOUR BEST FRIEND!!!
- Become a One Stop client, and see how you’re treated
- Find spots to sleep and to take shelter from the weather
- You’ll be constantly harassed by the Bradenton Police Department and other homeless people
- On the street, you sleep with one eye open, and you TRUST NOBODY!!
- You can receive NO help from family or friends
- If someone offers help, even if it’s only a dollar, gladly accept, but DO NOT ASK!!
- You will be living in constant fear of your life
- You will have LIMITED, if any, Food Stamps
- You get ONE shower per week – Maybe
- You will have LIMITED hygiene products
- Finally, the only Manatee County Area Transit services you will be allowed to utilize are the Sunday Beach Express and the Anna Maria Island Trolley.

I hope this will open SOMEONE’S eyes to what the homeless have to face on a daily basis. Some are out here for years with no help. Some actually enjoy being homeless (drifters). I also hope this will force you to re-look at how the City of Bradenton looks at homelessness, and starts to help in some way.

Finally, the idea I had earlier. Everyone who lives in Bradenton’s City Limits has lost count of how many vacant properties there are (residential and commercial). To cut down on unnecessary trips to the Manatee County Jail, why doesn’t the City of Bradenton purchase some of these properties and use them as community shelters? Just a thought.