Fwd: Homeless friend, Dave Nelson , starting to talk SUICIDE

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ron Ruggieri <radicalron72647@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2021 at 10:47
Subject: Homeless friend, Dave Nelson , starting to talk SUICIDE
To: letters <letters@providencejournal.com>

As a democratic socialist I have no problem welcoming " aliens " - legal or illegal -into my country , right here in Rhode Island . But why does the state have a problem finding housing even for the homeless elderly here ? I have a friend named David Nelson , age 73 , living on Social Security Disability with both Medicare and Medicaid . Why should this man be homeless for any length of time ? Presently he does not even have a car to live in. Born David Gold from a Jewish background, he has received some help from Jewish social service charities. He has been in communication with local rabbis, one living in the Brown University area ( Y Laufer, 362 Hope St. ) Ironically his Aunt Gracie Alpert left a legacy for brain research to the Brown Medical School ( named after the Alpert family ) . Dave has a half brother named Sam Gold , a Miami lawyer, who will be sending him some financial assistance by the end of this month. His son, Dean Gold , now living in Chicago , is upset that he just cannot prevent his father from being homeless in Rhode Island. CIRCUMSTANCES are more complex and convoluted today than most people -reading about the HOMELESS PROBLEM in the USA - realize .

Dave Nelson' s mental and physical condition at age 73 should qualify him at least for a minimal care nursing home- like Bannister House in South Providence.

Presently Dave has applied to Cranston Housing Authority. He dreads the recommended homeless shelters like Harrington Hall in Cranston and Crossroads in Providence . Yesterday I thought he was close to panic attack - mental breakdown . He said that a very attractive young woman with two beautiful kids paid for his meal at Panera Restaurant in the Providence Place Mall. " I must LOOK homeless ", David said to me.

How long can 73 year old David Nelson survive in the street ?

Dave shared a condominium in Cranston for five years with a guy named Scott Swift (Rosewood Condominiums

250 Mayfield Ave, Cranston, RI 02920 ) But Scott had to exit the place back in July. Turning 62 himself, Scott wanted to move on to Social Security bliss.

Way back in 2014 (? ) Providence Journal columnist Bob Kerr interviewed Dave at a Dunkin Donuts in Cranston . But Kerr , an excellent and sensitive columnist , thought that " Ragged Dave " just would not " resonate " with his readers.

Ron Ruggieri , 75 Mathewson St. , Cranston, Rhode Island ( 401-580-7432)