Insightful Guest letter

Upon asking if I would share my story, I have to say this about Loads of Dignity. 1st, the founder, Mrs. Stefani, is a major role model for anyone who understands her efforts in helping others despite her very own tumultuous trials and tribulations. Without LOD, Ravalli County would have more trash (discarded clothing) and less hope (Stefani is caring, empathetic, eager to listen, and has good, sane advice, and you must see her to get the quarters). Foul smells and sickness/unwashed laundry breeds that stink. Ravalli County may print a decent “help” list for those struggling, but the truth is the government agencies/organizations on that list aren’t of any help because they tell you, “We have no resources” or “Go to Missoula.” If you are homeless, you need to be hidden, or you will wind up in jail. Personally, my family has had difficulty finding and keeping stable housing because, as a career caregiver and concentrating care/firewood supplier, the adults of our household don’t make nearly enough to compete with the mass Air BNBs and envoy of those moving into the area over the past couple of years. Either the rent is too high, or our landlords have sold the house we were living in or needed their rental for their own personal family members. Our daughter has been working since she could legally do so. I excelled as an assistant head housekeeper, yet with all our income, renting or buying has proved to be and be impossible. We have used LOD assistance because it helps us live out of our vehicles without a washing and dryer. We gave our 5th wheel away to a homeless family because we had a home at the time. It is more expensive than one thinks, especially if you do your best not to look homeless. Showers cost anywhere from $14-$17 from Hamilton to Lolo. Gas for your vehicle and the upkeep needed for sleeping off the road is tough on a car. Food is expensive, and no food stamps are available because we make too much together. Our money is depleted after spending the money on keeping us warm in winter, cooler in summer, clean and hygienic, our vehicle costs, campsite fees, and fuel to travel 10-20 miles out in order not to get tickets of being sleeping somewhere people of the town can see us. We pray for the opportunity of a miracle that an available home will bless us once again. As for Hamilton, I feel that for those needing help due to sickness or being elderly, Caregivers (unless they have a substantial foundation from years prior having bought housing or have local non-greedy landlords) or (partners with adequate incomes) are unavailable, nursing homes have minimum staff, and getting care is tough. Hamilton has done a fantastic job of ensuring it looks nice to overlookers. But beware when the time is coming when no caregivers are available and you end your life in a big building, not in the comforts of home, because your family can’t care for you when their time is taken up making the income needed to support living in the area you worked so hard to make look there wasn’t a housing crisis.

Guest information:

Note: MT is the least affordable for housing.

*Hamilton has per capita the largest growth of homeless citizens.       

They currently live out of their car.