Fwd: Update on my old friend " Ragged Dave " ( see PROJO letter 2014 ) . Homeless again !

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ron Ruggieri <radicalron72647@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2021 at 12:58
Subject: Update on my old friend " Ragged Dave " ( see PROJO letter 2014 ) . Homeless again !
To: Gregg, Katherine <kgregg@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. 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 , 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 . There are no " villains " in Dave's plight . Family , friends, and others tried to help .

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 a 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 . But Scott had to exit the place back in July. Turning 62 himself, Scott wanted to move on to Social Security bliss.

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