Editor, The News:
Re: Homeless are not criminals: doctor (The News, April 10).
I want to thank Dr. Liz Zubek for her dedication and devotion to helping the homeless and letting them be a somebody in a place that is in constant opposition of them.
The homeless are people, they are someone’s son or daughter, and they could be your child, or, God forbid, even you one day.
They are not all suffering from addiction, although many are. But there is hope for any one of them.
My husband was homeless years ago due to addiction.
Today he is completely free and healed from that horrible disease that affects so many.
He is the most kind, loving, gifted man and I know all those who have had the pleasure meeting and knowing him would agree.
He is a professional today, working and serving the community.
I am so very proud and blessed to be a part of his life and journey.
But at one time he, too, was pushing all his earthly possessions in a shopping cart, looking for food anywhere he could find some and sleeping wherever he could.
Although he had a degree and a good employment, he fell into the sickness of addiction.
He was saved thank you to God’s incredible grace and forgiveness.
So many of us are so quick to point a finger, look at the problem and complain. But what if that energy was used in a more positive way, so that we become not a part of the problem but a part of the solution.
Believe in these people, give them hope, encouragement. There will always be homeless in every city. It is the world we live in today.
I challenge all of you to step out of your comfort and love someone who is alone, or sick.
I know and believe they too have a right to be saved and helped and there is hope for a future for every one of us.
Micheline Surridge
Maple Ridge