Round 5:00 a.m. I woke up early, I spent some time in the tent writing. Around 6:20 I get ready for work.
7:00 a.m. I arrived at work. I spent some time in the morning with my outreach partner getting some food ready, and getting all our gear for the outreach work. I grabbed a lot of hats, gloves, socks, and other clothes and warm gear for the homeless people. We also have to bring different forms so we can help people gain access to some of the services they need, like food stamps, IDs, health insurance, etc…
9:00 a.m. My outreach partner and I went out into the city. I stopped by various tents, and encampments and check on the homeless people.
The majority of the cause for homelessness in Lawrence MA is drugs. One of the biggest barriers to reducing homelessness is a lack of shelter space in this area.
12:30 p.m. My outreach partner and I arrive back at the shelter. We spent the rest of the afternoon doing some data entry, and working on researching and collecting more resources for The homeless people in Lawrence.
4:15 p.m. I left work late and I drove out to my camping spot. I parked my truck up my driveway that I made. I took some of the rope that I’d been using in Salem as a guide for a big hill. I tied the rope to one tree, and then I stretched it over to the other tree where I have a ratchet strap. I tightened the rope between the trees with a ratchet strap, and then I tighten it even more with the ratchet strap. I threw the tarp over the rope and then I began using twine to tie the tarp down to small trees and stakes to make an A-frame to protect the tent from the coming snow storm. I had to do this in the dark using my phone’s flashlight.
7:00 p.m. I drove to my girlfriend’s apartment and I helped her move some boxes that she’s packed. It’s enough to fill her Honda Pilot. We drive her to her new apartment, and we bring all the boxes inside. Across the street from her apartment is a place that serves meals to the homeless. A Christian charity of sorts. All day and all night people hang out outside and do drugs, there’s arguing, and people behave erratically and contort in all manner of uncomfortable positions. It is unpleasant and an example of what these new age synthetic drugs like fentanyl are doing to our streets and our communities.
9:30 a.m. My girlfriend and I drove back to the apartment in Burlington that she’ll be vacating on Friday. We settled in for the night. I have to get up early in the morning for another day in the streets of Lawrence.
HINDSIGHT: 11/14/2025
Lawrence was a hotbed for drugs and the poverty drugs bring to a community. The unhoused in Lawrence were many, the majority struggling with addiction to crack and fentanyl. I was over stressed with my new job and my girlfriend’s move. Regardless, I forged onward, even if I had certain misgivings about her’s and my future together. I rationalized my commitment and investment in helping her to a better future for her son. She needed to learn to be independent and self-sufficient. I was also addicted to her. In the future I will not be so generous. There’s a bible verse where Jesus says, don’t throw your pearls to swine, because they will trample the pearls and then turn to trample on you. These were wise words from the Rabbi of all Rabbis.