You pass by them every day on the streets of Madison. The clanking of coins in their plastic cups has become no different than the muffled sound of a campus bus or the echo of police sirens on University Avenue—so normal that no one even notices anymore.
Madison's hundreds of homeless continue to scrape by, despite mental illness, addiction and abject poverty. But with winter on the way, and sub-zero temperatures in the near future, some are growing desperate.
""I'm trying to get my ID so I can get a job, but it's been taking me more than a couple of months,"" said Reggie McCoy, a 19-year-old living on the streets of Madison. ""I've been hitchhiking since I was 16 and I've been living on the streets on and off since I was eight years old.""
McCoy has been in Madison for a month after hitchhiking through various other states in search of a job. With no home, he has no proof of residence and no chance at securing an ID.
""I figure since I'm 19 years old now it's about time I get one,"" McCoy said, adding that his only source of employment has been ""under the table jobs.""
George Twigg, spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said the city is actively targeting its growing homeless population.
""The mayor believes any level of homelessness is a problem,"" Twigg said, pointing to joint city-county projects aimed at addressing the issue. In addition, the city is currently working with the Salvation Army to construct a warming shelter for the homeless in anticipation of winter.
McCoy said he is already wondering whether he will survive the coming months. He currently opts to sleep outside rather than enter a shelter—a decision he said almost cost him his life earlier this month.
""I really hope I don't die,"" he said.
Steve Schooler is the Executive Director of Porchlight Inc., a Madison company that offers services to the homeless. According to Schooler, the primary homeless shelter in the Madison area has struggled since 2004 to accommodate a growing number of male visitors.
In 2005, over 2,000 people spent nights in Madison shelters, Schooler said.
The number might have been higher, but the shelters are off limits to intoxicated people. Schooler said young men like McCoy are usually uncomfortable in the confined environment of a shelter, where drinking and drugs are strictly prohibited.
In addition, young men like McCoy are usually uncomfortable in the confined environment of a shelter, where drinking and drugs are strictly prohibited.
""I'm not a proponent of adding shelter beds,"" Schooler said. ""We want to do all that we can to help them avoid entering the shelter system.""
McCoy said he wakes up early in the morning and collects money on the street. At 11 a.m., he goes to the union and watches ‘The Young and the Restless.'
At noon he returns to the street where he makes enough money to eat at McDonalds. McCoy then heads to Taco Bell where he can escape from the cold and watch TV. By the time 8 p.m. comes around, he begins the search for a place to sleep.
He usually walks a couple of miles to avoid arrest at the hands of State Street police.
""I make about four bucks a day if I spend eight hours on the streets,"" McCoy said.
""I was never that good in school except math and it won't help get me a double cheeseburger if I go up to the cashier in McDonalds and say ‘five times 10 is 50 divided by two is 25,'"" he said. ""If I don't get my ID by the time it gets really cold, I might as well be John Doe forever.""
""I don't like personal wealth and I don't think people should have it,"" he added. ""A lot of people hate the rich people and I hope the world ends soon.""
Dwight Vickers, 48, said he has been living on the streets for two years, ever since the sauerkraut company that employed him shut down.
""I stand out here most of the day collecting money so I can eat, wash my clothes and have some money to go on job interviews,"" Vickers said. ""I go on a good amount of job interviews, but it's kind of hard when you don't have a phone for them to call you back on.""
Vickers said he collects 12 dollars a day in change, enough to pay for three meals from the dollar menu at McDonalds. However, finding a place to sleep is not always as easy.
""Sometimes if I have enough blankets I'll sleep on one of the benches on State Street but when daylight comes I have to move because the police will get me,"" Vickers said.
Vickers said a community spirit prevails among the homeless, noting that when a group of men gather enough money, they often go to a park and barbecue together.
""Sometimes it's nice when it's warm out, but during the winter time you just have to try and make it,"" Vickers said.
Johnny Gardner, a 51-year-old homeless man in Madison, said he has held ""tons of jobs"" in the city but has struggled to find a place to stay.
""When I first stepped foot in Madison I was homeless,"" Gardner said. ""I was in Indiana before Madison and all together I've been homeless for about 20 years.""
Gardner said that on an average day he wakes up at 5 a.m. and goes to the library to wash up. He said he reads numerous newspapers every day. However, when interviewed, Gardner was under the impression that Bill Clinton was still the President of the United States.
""I make about 20 bucks a day. I usually eat at Taco Bell or McDonalds and I'll have a beer every now and then,"" Gardner said.
""I used to have a beer every day,"" he added.
Gardner said Madison winters are potentially very dangerous for the homeless.
""I put layers and layers of clothes on and try and stay warm,"" he said. ""I don't like this cold stuff. It's freezing every night.""
As for the many misfortunes Gardner has faced, he has just as many aspirations.
""Hopefully in a year I'll have my own place and a job and then go to school at MATC and get an education,"" Gardner said. ""I want a house and a car and a whole family and clothes and money and nice things. I want something in my life.""
