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# Homeless, not hopeless
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/homeless-not-hopeless-editor/
- Published: 2008-07-11T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:09:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By David Garcia*

Unfortunately I do not own a computer or have access to a computer to e-mail this letter to you, so I hope this written letter via U.S. mail gets printed.

I’m homeless, but not hopeless, and I occasionally need financial help from good and kind individuals who are not insensitive to the honest needs of some of us that are homeless and jobless. Isn’t it their business who these kind people give or donate their money to?

I’m writing this letter to you in regards to the Santa Monica Daily Press issue containing the anti-panhandling campaign article (July 8, page 1, “Anti-panhandling campaign receives additional funding”). Am I to understand that if I need a little help from someone, that by asking I can be cited or arrested?

I agree and have seen panhandlers who are aggressive and I believe that it’s wrong to irritate someone with aggressiveness; but, if someone who isn’t aggressive asks for help, why not give it to them?

Don’t politicians ask for money, i.e., $10,000 for their campaigns? Isn’t that asking for money? Isn’t that panhandling, but just a different form? I’m tired of the bashing of homeless people from panhandling to people in campers or in cars. Tomorrow is promised to no one! You may end up homeless or needing that same dime or quarter. You may get sued or get caught doing something wrong one day which could make you lose all that you own.

Be careful of what yo say or do. God doesn’t like ugly and fortunately for me, I’m learning a few lessons now.

I survive on the streets by giving good advice, playing my guitar and cleaning car windows or washing cars at people’s homes or on the streets. I’m everywhere from Washington Boulevard and Lincoln to Ocean Park and Lincoln. I’m generally in the Rose and Lincoln area working. Yes, I may ask for a little help occasionally, although I like to give something back to the community by cleaning their cars’ windows or doing some kind of work for them. Some shelters and programs aren’t tailored for the needs of some people which is why I do what I do. Trust me, what I do is work, not hustle. So, for those of you out there who lose it because you can’t handle a person asking for help, then maybe it is you who needs the therapy.

So I say, do an act of kindness if you can, and keep this insensitive issue of panhandling out of City Hall. City Hall already panhandles enough of your tax dollars and financial support! By the way, I’d like to thank all those who have helped me in the past. Blessings to you all.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 11, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/071108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)