A day in the life of a lifelong Columbia resident experiencing homelessness
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Homelessness affects more than half a million people nationwide, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Mid-Missouri is no exception.
That includes lifelong Columbia resident, Chris Eubanks who says he has been homelessness for the past two years.
"It can literally happen to anybody," Eubanks said.
He said he's been coming to Turning Point since he started experiencing homelessness.
"They do it all. They literally help with everything," Eubanks said. "From everything from food to showers to just needing to stay warm."
Eubanks says he spends almost day at Turning Point. The organization is based out of the Wilkes Blvd. United Methodist Church in Columbia and offers different services during the day.
Those services include providing:
- Mailing address
- Document storage
- Shower and laundry facilities
- Sock exchange
- Personal belonging storage
- Internet and telephone access
- Employment and housing information
- Trained staff to move folks out of homelessness
- Central location to meet with caseworkers, tutors, life coaches and mentors
- Prayer and Bible study
Eubanks said when he wakes up, he goes to Turning Point to take a shower. He says he grabs some food and uses the spot as a place to rest from moving around all the time. At one point, he lived in homeless camps in Columbia for around three or four months.
"I was going in-and-out of being locked up and I got tired of the camp life," Eubanks said. "It's not safe out there. You go from having your stuff taken to having your tent even burned down just from random people."
But he went on to say that just because a person's homeless, doesn't mean they're a danger to society or a threat to anybody. Eubanks said after he experienced the sudden deaths of two of his friends at the camps, he knew it was time to get out.
"It was absolutely terrible," Eubanks said. "I don't think I would ever do it again. It's nothing like Survivor or anything like that."
Eubanks said one of those friends was Kaylen Ann Schmit, 24. Columbia Police say Schmit was thrown off of the Highway 63 bridge near Conley Road in October 2022 by Jessie R. Williams. Williams was charged with first-degree murder in relation to her death. His next court date is set for 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15.
"I can't do this like, I'm not going to go out like that," Eubanks said. "I had to turn my life around."
Eubanks said recently, he's been able to stay overnight with his mother in Columbia; which has been a way for him to stay out of homeless camps in the city.
"Basically I'm just slowing getting back on my feet," Eubanks said.
Eubanks said he wants to work toward getting his license back and is trying to sign up for food stamps.
In a year, he hopes to have a job lined up in either a restaurant or in landscaping.
Eubanks is one of 210 people in Boone County experiencing homelessness, according to data from the Boone County Health Department.
According to Love Columbia, -- a nonprofit in Columbia that includes services, such a housing assistance -- says one in five Columbia residents live in poverty. The National Alliance to End Homelessness states poverty leading factor to homelessness.
"Year to date, this year is our highest numbers so far," Love Columbia Program Director Conrad Hake said. "We've had over 3,700 requests for assistance."
Tune in on Monday night to ABC 17 News at 10 for "Tackling Homelessness in Mid-Missouri," a report on how homelessness is growing in the area and what local organizations are doing to try to solve the issue.
