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Local resident ends 30 day homeless journey
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@starlocalnews.com
Leon Reyes recently returned home from an experience that separated him from his family, friends and every comfort of his life.
From Nov. 1-30, Reyes lived as a homeless man on the streets of Downtown Dallas. He said he went into the experience wanting to bring awareness to a problem and better understand the plight of the homeless population.
Reyes, a youth pastor and worship leader living in Southlake, began his journey with no money, no photo ID and no place to live.
On Nov. 1, after an early breakfast with friends and family in Dallas, Reyes was dropped off in Downtown Dallas to begin his 30 days. The first day he went into the experience with the mindset that it would be similar to camping outside, but he quickly realized it was much more than that.
"At first I thought all I'd have to do is camp outside, but it was nothing like that," Reyes said. "I was lonely and had a lack of sleep. I was more worried about where I would end up at night, but I would stay up all night because I couldn't sleep."
The first four days were trying for Reyes.
He said on his second day he didn't realize how hungry he was - he thought his fatigue was mainly due to lack of sleep. He said at that time he didn't know how homeless people made money the right way so he hadn't eaten anything. By day three he began hallucinating, and he knew he needed food for energy.
"On day four, I had an emotional breakdown. I worried about the circumstances I was in, and I was always on the lookout for negative people walking past me," Reyes said. "I went into this really not knowing anything and that heavily affected my time out there. I was going to quit because it was just too much. I hadn't slept or ate or talked to my wife Lauren in days."
The turning point in Reyes' journey came on day five and six. He said by that time he felt numb and was in need of someone to talk to.
"I'm a tough person emotionally, but by that time my emotions were so scattered that I could sit down and tear up. I wasn't doing too well and couldn't control my emotions," Reyes said. "One day a homeless man, who was selling newspapers, came along, and I asked him how he did it. People were being rude to him. He said 'do what?'"
Reyes learned the man had been homeless for about 15 years, but he wondered how the man was still happy.
"I was miserable and didn't know what to do. He looked at me and asked what I did during the day. I said I sat most of the day. He said if you sit and start thinking about your situation, you'll start thinking negatively and will have no drive during the day," Reyes said. "He told me I had to keep moving and find little projects. He said to put yourself out there. I said I couldn't do that because people were so rude, and I felt like they judged us."
Reyes said the man told him to say hello to everyone and wave, knowing they won't give back, but to do it for himself. He was told to make eye contact, smile and be positive.
"The man said afterward I'd figure out how things work out there," Reyes said. "After that things began turning around, and I became more positive."
At the same time, Reyes received a call from his wife. She said their son was acting out in a negative way by hitting and crying. Reyes said that's not his son's character.
"I also focused in on my wife because she was acting strange. She told me 'I'm not doing well at all and that's your fault.' I felt that my marriage was on the rocks," Reyes said. "I talked with her and said for her to bring our son and meet me in the park."
Reyes said they both hit a brick wall and were learning how to cope without each other. From that point on, he spoke to his wife during his time on the streets.
"I didn't want that. It didn't make sense to be able to live without each other so she came to see me, and we gave each other energy and hope to finish this," Reyes said. "That also gave me more energy for the days ahead."
Reyes began to figure out ways to fill his days after that. During the day he would get up early, if he slept at all, and began his day around 6 a.m.
"That was the best time to try to earn money. I'd do that until everyone went to work," Reyes said.
From 8 to 9 a.m. he waited in lines at different homeless agencies trying to obtain a photo ID. Lunchtime at most soup kitchens began at 11:30 a.m. so he had to make sure he was in line. Then he would have to make it to the line for the nighttime shelter.
"You have to check in by 3:30 p.m. at shelters. If you're in line early, then hopefully there's enough room," Reyes said. "As soon as you go in to the shelters, you sit at table from that time until 8 p.m. when dinner is served."
Reyes said his one major incident happened while he was staying at a Salvation Army shelter.
"The incident happened when I was so exhausted that I fell asleep at table. Apparently, I was in someone's seat, and the guy started yelling and cussing at me," Reyes said. "I think shelters are run like jails. People are segregated into separate cliques and if someone starts yelling at you, they're trying to point out how you will protect yourself. If you cater to the smaller guys then the bigger guys know they you have beat, but if you stand your ground, they won't mess with you."
Reyes said he turned around, and the man put his torso in his face. He looked like he was about to hit Reyes.
"I stood up and said 'If you continue what you're doing, I know where you're sleeping, and you won't wake up. Otherwise don't touch me.' I was in an acting mood and tried to show I didn't care," Reyes said. "I was shaking inside and knew I had to stay in character. After that everyone left me alone."
At the shelters, Reyes slept on a one-inch thick mat on the floor. He said lights out was at 11 p.m., and he was awakened at 4 a.m. The shelter served breakfast at 6 a.m. and then everyone had to leave. Reyes said he had to find lunch, which most days meant a two hour walk across town.
"Finally, I thought this couldn't happen anymore. I stayed at the Salvation Army shelter for two days and thought it was too much walking, and I wasn't eating healthy enough," Reyes said. "Once I started catching on, I began utilizing churches and other help. At most shelters, you could get a shower at night and churches give clothing and shaving supplies. The world thinks homeless people look bad, but that's only 10 percent of the population that look like that. The others, about 30 percent, work in shelters and look better. The final 60 percent live in someone's house."
The majority of nights, Reyes slept outside. He applied for jobs, but was unable to get hired.
"I tried to use my ID and get a job, but I still couldn't get a real job because you don't have enough energy," Reyes said. "Sleeping on the floor is like getting hit by a car. I found myself at a park most of the time and was told to sell the homeless papers. I went downtown and sold papers for couple dollars. Toward the end was when I began to figure it out. I figured out that it would take me three to four months to get off the streets."
Coming home
Reyes said the most surprising thing he learned was that no one person can overcome homelessness on their own. He said faith alone, in that kind of world, will not get a person out of that situation - it takes another person's time and help.
"I originally thought, 'Couldn't a person with the right attitude be put in bad situation and get out?' But through this process, I learned how important our time is and how much power we have in just talking to people," Reyes said. "Our whole approach to helping the homeless is completely wrong. You can't create your own hope out there. Someone needs to help you."
Reyes said instead of giving food or money to the homeless, people should give their time.
"They're longing for someone to actually help them," Reyes said. "In 30 days almost no one helped, but then one day a man offered to take me to a shelter and that helped tremendously."
Reyes said overall the reaction to his experience has been positive.
"I went to a Cowboys game - in a suite - the day after I got home. I was asked how it felt. Most of the time, if it's a parent asking, they'll start tearing up," Reyes said. "Overall, it's been real positive feedback. I have got some responses to want to help the homeless, but not a lot. More than that, this has fostered positive conversations."
Reyes said the hardest thing to overcome was how negative people could be. One article about him went national, and after that, he began getting hate mail.
"I was called a fake and a phony, and people said I was intruding on homeless people. There was a lot of hate and confusion and that caught us all off guard," Reyes said. "There was anger on my part and a desire for retaliation from my wife and friends. But then we just began deleting messages, and we quit responding to negativity. Eventually it slowed down."
For Reyes, coming home and seeing his family was almost overwhelming.
"I was numb when I finally got to see family. I told them I loved them and said that this opened my eyes to how much I really love my wife and son," Reyes said. "I was excited to get back to my routine of life and my job. I looked around in appreciation of all that I have."
Looking ahead, he said he's unsure of the future. He said he's thought about doing some public speaking, talking to non-profits in the DFW area and beyond on how to improve their process and possibly writing a book, but for now, he's just enjoying being at home with his family.
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