Mark Jacobs, an attorney and longtime community activist, is involved in nonprofit work and is chairman of Heart 2 Hart Detroit, a nonprofit organization that feeds and clothes Detroit's homeless population. It relies on donations and volunteers.

By Mark Jacobs

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, our organization, Heart 2 Hart, goes into the streets of Detroit and distributes food and clothing to the homeless.

On Christmas Eve we asked many of them what their Christmas wish would be, either for themselves or for the city of Detroit.  It was a question that seemed to  surprise them, as if people had long ago given up any hope that their wishes would be granted, or that someone would even ask.

Some had quick answers, some took a moment to reflect and respond, and others appeared too shell-shocked to get any words out. All of them, however, gave us a real life slice into the mindset of people living in the streets. Their words, on a rainy, chilly Christmas Eve, were a powerful reminder of what reality is for thousands of our fellow Detroiters who are literally left out in the cold.

Here's a wish from each homeless person we spoke to.  

  • “I just want people to listen more and have a more open mind about the homeless.”
  • “I want God to continue to look after us.”
  • “I just lost my 10 year old son. My only wish is that he would be alive.”
  • “I just want to be on a deserted island with a special woman – and peace on earth.”
  • “January is going to be rough. What are we going to do? I ain’t got nothin coming for Christmas.”
  • “Stop the violence in this city.”
  • “A house with heat.”
  • “A porta potty for us in the streets.”
  • “I want to be able to get my birth certificate so I could get some benefits.”
  • “My wish is to get out of Detroit. The thieves here take everything.”
  • “I wish I could walk the streets at nighttime.”

 

  • “Stop the killing here.”
  • “I’m just happy to be alive.”
  • “Feed us, clothe us, help us.”
  • “A Super Bowl win for the Lions.”
  • “Just good health.”
  • “I just want to see my son again, who’s in Florida.”
  • “I just got a place from Volunteers of America – my Christmas wish is for some furniture.”
  • “That I don’t have to live like I’m living.”
  • “To get off the streets – and a wife.”
  • “I wish people would help each other. I need a home.”
  • “I have no idea. But say no prayer for me. I need no sympathy.”
  • “I wish this city would come back to what it once was.”
  • “I wish this world would change.”
  • “I want people to keep in mind that homelessness is just one paycheck away.”

Each person we spoke with was handed a meal and some hand warmers. Some also got hats, scarves and coats. They smiled and, for a brief moment, had a connection with someone who was showing them some kindness.  But we then got in our warm car and back to our houses and families, and they wandered away, their souls nourished momentarily, but onto a Christmas that will be anything but merry.