Beeing Bee

This topic pertains to all three of my specialized subjects. I will discuss in detail how to personally overcome homelessness. How to develop yourself professionally to sustain a better life. As well as, how traveling can be beneficial and hindering in this regard. 

Backstory: In March 2023, I just returned to the United States from Europe. I enjoyed life abroad so much that I made a spontaneous and potentially irrational decision to move to the Caribbean. I had no family there, no job, just hopes and dreams. I decided I’d start my venture in Jamaica, and after a month or so go to Haiti.

 I bought a one-way ticket with Frontier Airlines. I booked a suspiciously cheap airbnb for a month. Packed a backpack full of tropical clothing and headed off. Upon my arrival I had to go through Customs and Immigration. Something in my travel plans alerted their staff to pull me aside for further questioning. 

Remember that  suspiciously cheap airbnb I booked? Yeah, well it only cost $5 for the entire month. I know what you’re thinking… why would I believe something like that? Again I was fueled on hopes and dreams. The posting was a cottage type home on a farm. The host mentioned being able to eat the food from the land as an amenity. No proper electricity or indoor plumbing. I thought with these challenges and the currency exchange, $5 was just a great deal for lodging. 

Deportation: My one-way ticket was unacceptable without proper visas or a Jamaican passport. Their immigration team sent me back to the States immediately. A flight to Denver, Colorado. A place I’ve never lived. That’s where my homeless journey began. 

Denver, Co: I arrived in Denver around 9 or 10pm. I had $300 in my bank account and about $200 cash. I was frantically trying to decide my next move. I know what you’re probably thinking here… Why would anyone travel, let alone move abroad with that scarce of cash? I was at a place in my 20s where I was tired of capitalism. I was already burnt out of striving so hard for what I deemed as a mediocre life. ( I lived paycheck to Paycheck in Los Angeles, CA prior). That was due to my lack of financial literacy. I’ll dive into that in a “How to become Financially LITERATE” Article. 

My first night of homelessness I stayed in the airport. I was searching the web for cheap flights to Mexico or any warm place I could “afford”.  The next day, I woke up, used the restroom, cleaned myself up a bit and put on fresh clothes. I decided it would be best for me to save the money I had and use it to survive.

Union Station:  I bought a day pass for Denver’s Transit system and went to Union Station. I wasn’t sure when I’d be getting more income, and  I was uncomfortable with asking strangers for money, so I applied for every hiring entity in Union Station. After that I used some of the money I had to buy brunch at Snooze an AM Eatery. It was very good. So good, it allowed me to forget my troubles. After brunch I continued my job search. I typed “Hiring near me” into google maps on my phone and a list of staffing agencies appeared. I called each agency with the following phrases; 

“Good Morning my name is Bee Robbins and I am looking for immediate job placement. I have a Bachelors of Science in Community and Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have substantial experience in Food and Beverage Hospitality, Office Administration, and Customer Care”. 

I was invited by a Job Placement Agent through Prime Source Staffing to fill out their online application. I used my transit pass to take the bus to a nearby library. I was able to use the library’s computers free of charge. I even asked the librarians for employment and housing resources while I was there. 

Pause: I fully acknowledge my privileges so far. I came into homelessness with hundreds of dollars. I was able to purchase transit tickets, and buy food. I also had an active phone line with data. These luxuries certainly increased my quality of life. 

Resources: Some Cities provide free transportation vouchers for the unhoused. Some locals will give funding to individuals for transportation. Many will purchase food, beverages or other necessities for those in need. Local religious centers and many Nonprofit Organizations often have resources as well. Here’s a list of places you can go in Denver. Each resource may have specific identifying qualifications. 

–Samaritan House- Catholic Charities

–Colorado coalition for the Homeless

–Denver Homeless Resource Guide by UCD

–Community Assistance Denver Public Library

Facts to Consider:Many employers in the United States require employees to undergo an I9 verification. This is where we need to show our ID, to confirm our identity and our eligibility to work in the U.S. 

Most Volunteer Opportunities do not require this verification. Google search “Volunteer Opportunities near me” or “Volunteer Opportunities in (Insert City/Region)”. After dedicating your honest time to an organization, many may repay you in a kind way. 

-Social Security Administration Website for I9 Work Requirement

– Website for Volunteer Organizations by U.S. Government 

Advice: Ask someone for walking directions to the nearest library. Ask an Official City Transit Professional for directions, they may even give you a lift for free. Get to a Library and begin your search online. If you don’t have access to a phone, create a Free Google Email. This will help you remain in contact with those resources. You can print for free at many libraries. Print directions for travel accessibility. Print phone numbers, some businesses or locals just might let you take a phone call. Stay near the library until you become stable. I advise going to the library daily to apply for jobs and/or government assistance programs. 

Hygiene: I advise everyone to go to a dollar tree or similar entity and ask consumers to purchase your hygiene products. Water, Soap, Razors, Deodorant, Tooth Brushes, Tooth paste. Many locals who are able to are absolutely willing to help out humanity in this way. You may use the library’s bathrooms to pamper yourself with these items. For those of you who have a little more financial freedom, I suggest getting a low cost gym membership. 

Planet Fitness: I have a Planet Fitness Membership and this was groundbreaking for me. I was able to shower daily, and have a safe and warm place to be some nights. 

Outside Alone and Afraid: One night I left the library and began to ride the buses around until they stopped running. I then went to an IHOP to eat and hopefully catch a few z’s. I was awoken around 2:30am and told the restaurant was closing early. I was scared alone and in the dark. I was lucky that there was a hospital within walking distance. I went to the emergency entrance and asked if I could wait in the lobby until sunrise. The security was very kind and allowed it. 

A Miracle: When I woke up the next morning I was blessed with my tax return. (Direct Deposit). I was able to book hostel stays for a couple weeks at a time. I used the airbnb app and secured a bunk -bed in a dormitory style apartment. I had access to a kitchen, a bed, a bathroom, laundry machines and accessible transportation. This was essential for me as I began working to overcome this situation. 

Income: PrimeSource Staffing Agency helped me begin working within 3 days of applying. I was hired as a Temp for the Rocky Mountain Bakehouse; A WholeFoods Distribution Bakery. I worked 12:30pm-9pm Monday-Friday at $17/hour. After Taxes I brought home just shy of $580/week. I was paid through a PayCard, which was very helpful as I didn’t have a local bank. I was able to upgrade to a nicer airbnb dorm, afford groceries and buy a ton of thrifted clothes and shoes. I was in a good place. 

New Opportunity: After a month of this consistency I began applying to more tailored careers. I attained one in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I packed my things, and took the Amtrak Train from the West Coast to the Midwest. It was an exciting journey. 

Unforeseen Circumstances: After moving across the country for a job in place, the employer informed me there were delays in my start date. 

Although I had $500-1k more than I did before, this inconvenience caused me to become homeless again. Embarrassing. 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin: I moved here the 2nd week of April 2023. I stayed in a very nice airbnb.  This was a shared home with private bedrooms. Very modern, very cute and very walkable. When I noticed my funds were lowering, I knew I needed a secure place to keep my belongings. I used $101 dollars to rent a storage unit with Life Storage. This covered my activation fee, lock and insurance. I use the city transit bus to move my things from the airbnb to my storage unit. 

Religion:  This was a time in my life that my faith was put to the test. When turmoil arrived I found so many ways to remain thankful. I had so much!

Blessings: I had a Rover Profile for overnight pet sitting gigs. I always made sure to keep it updated to my current location, especially for times like this. Milwaukee had many opportunities. This gave me a place to stay with the great company of amazing fur children. I also had a cousin who allowed me to stay in her guest room. I stayed there for a week. 

Patterns for Overcoming Homelessness: Secure a place for hygiene, utilize public libraries, utilize public transportation. Apply for jobs daily. Accept the first one you can easily commit to. 

Madison, Wisconsin: I was hired for a few jobs in Milwaukee while I waited to be onboarded by the company I moved there for. The best offer I received was in Madison, Wisconsin as an Assistant Manager for a Crumbl Cookies Franchise. This is an incredible place to work. I brought a few bags to Madison and stayed with some AMAZING friends for 2-weeks while I worked at Crumbl. During this time I was applying for apartments. I didn’t have a hefty deposit or a co-signer, but I was able to score a sublet right in the heart of downtown for $475/month. I rented with Madison Property Management. I was finally out of homelessness. Well.. at least for the remainder of my sublease. 

Trouble… Time for Paradise? Although I was making more money than I have before, I was struggling to be approved for year leases. I loved my job and all my friends, but it was better for me to start fresh. I decided this was obviously a sign to move to Miami. 

Miami? Yo, this girl has no sense of direction. She just ups and leaves to a random city at any minor inconvenience.

Well.. not exactly. I’ll dive into that in my “How to properly vet your desired new city”  Article. 

Thank You! 

That’s me Beeing Bee