The Story of Rico

Steven: “Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Steven. What’s your name?”
Rico: “My name’s Rico”

Steven: “Rico? That’s a nice name.”
Rico: “Really? You think so? It was given to me by my second cousins. He picked it out and my parents chose it out of the other name selections, and I can’t remember the last time someone complimented my name. Thanks. “

Steven: “No problem! Rico does sound like an amazing and unique name. How long have you been out here?”
Rico: “About six years, but I wasn’t always sleeping outside. When times are tough, I have to get creative and my home can come in many many different form like I make my own shelters, go to motels, couches, storage units. It all depends on if you know anyone and how you use your resources.”

Steven: “Wait, you stayed in a storage unit?”
Rico: (Laughs.) “Heck yeah. You pay a guy twenty bucks, he lets you crash after they close. It’s quiet, no one bothers you, and it’s way better than a park bench.”

Steven: “I never thought about that. Isn’t it risky?”
Rico: “Everything’s risky when you’re homeless. Cops are all around the parks, shelters get violent and stuff can easily be stolen, and sleeping outside… dude you wake up with half your stuff gone if you’re lucky. The storage unit was one of the safer spots I had. It was really quiet to the point where it’s scary but it’s better than being outside.”

Steven: “Yeah, I see where you’re coming from. I’ve never heard of someone using a storage unit as a home… Wow… Do you mind sharing how you ended up on the streets in the first place?”
Rico: “I want you to imagine this. A guy trying to turn his life around and getting smacked down at every turn. Every time he tries to get back up, he gets punched in the gut. Every time he tries to even look up, his eyes get stabbed and he goes back into hiding.”

Steven: “…Is that what happen to you?”
Rico: “Pretty much. I got locked up at 19 for boosting cars for about three years. Got out thinking I’d go straight, and maybe get a job. Well, turns out, no one wants to hire a felon. You got any idea what it’s like to hear no every single freaking day?”

Steven: “That’s gotta mess with you and it is what a lot of homeless people I’ve interviewed told me. They should really give a second chance to y’all because after interviewing so many people, I have a sense of understanding that you guys can contribute a lot but it’s unfortunate that society aren’t willing to give you a second chance.”
Rico: “Exactly. More than you know. When I became homeless, I started off hopeful. I thought it was going to be temporarily and eventually after a few weeks, maybe a month, I’ll get my stuff together and get a place to live. I thought that I was going to get a job but then after the tenth rejection, I realized that it was a lot harder than I had thought.”

Steven: “Many people don’t like to hire people who are homeless… that’s the unfortunate reality and we have to change that because people can change and if they do, they deserve a second chance.”
Rico: “Yeah… even though I can’t get a long term job right now, I’m hustling out here. Not the illegal kind. I fixed bikes, sneakers, run errands for people. One time, I even walked some rich lady’s dog for a week. The dog was cute it was a golden. The money I made from these jobs aren’t much like around 5 to 7 dollars, but that’s enough for a meal.”

Steven: “Wow, you must be good at fixing stuff.”
Rico: “I’ve always been because I used to mess with engines and take apart radios just to see how they worked. I could fix a busted chain on a bike in two minutes flat, but tell that to an employer and they still don’t care because of my arrest record.”

Steven: “That is a talent right there and I wish more people would look at you guys and see potential and a will to improve… I believe you can do this and become an example of someone who, against all odds, succeeds. Maybe you can start a mobile repair gig”
Rico: (Laughs.) “With what money? You think I got startup cash in my sock?”

Steven: “I meant if someone gave you a shot, like a legit setup, would you take it?”
Rico: “In a heartbeat. I just wanna work and make some money. People think everyone out here is lazy, but most of us aren’t. Like you said, we just haven’t been given a second chance.”

Steven: “Yeah, I get what you mean…do you mind sharing what’s the hardest part living out here?”
Rico: “You walk past me, what do you see? Another guy on the street, right? You don’t see that I got skills, that I used to have dreams, that I still have ‘em. You just see another problem to avoid. That type of stuff wears on you and I hate it”

Steven: “I see you, Rico.”
Rico: “Dang. You practicing for a movie or something? That was some dramatic line”

Steven: “I’m serious, man. I appreciate you talking to me.”
Rico: “Yeah, yeah. Least you bought me a coffee first. That’s more than most people do.”

Steven: “Anytime… now if you could have three things right now, what would they be?”
Rico: “Alright, let’s see. One, a solid job. None of that under the table BS, something real. Two, a place of my own like a room with a locked door. And my third wish is a burger. A real one. No dollar menu nonsense, I want one of those thick, juicy burgers.”

Steven: “You made me hungry to now. You know what, next time I come back to check up on you, I’ll take you to a burger place. How does that sound?
Rico: “You don’t have to… I was kidding “

Steven: “Don’t worry about it. I got. Next time we meet, I’m buying you the burger
Rico: “Thank you and thanks for everything like just coming up and doing all this. I really appreciate the work you do.”

Steven: “Thank you so much and it’s because I get to interview people like you who are so driven yet just need a second chance… that’s the reason I keep doing this.