Social - January 2004

HOMEWARD BOUND

Two men continue their search for work, home and happiness

By DIANE TURBYFILL, Staff Writer

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Living on the streets brings challenges everyday — what to eat, where to sleep, how to battle the elements.

Two men who face these predicaments daily say family, friends and faith give them the tools they need to survive.

A familiar face

Darrell Aycoth sits on a bench in front of the old Main Street Market Place. When temperatures are moderate he may stroll Main Street until three in the morning.

When his eyelids grow heavy, Darrell retires to an old camper. He makes a pillow from one of his two blankets, and curls up on the love seat. His home has no power or electricity.

The old camper — located in his friend’s backyard — is a step up from his last home. Darrell spent most of 2003 living on the streets of Lincolnton. He slept in alleys and behind churches. His only shelter was his coat.

A friend allows Darrell to stay in the structure free of charge.

Darrell doesn’t earn a paycheck. He lives off  services provided in the area. The 38-year-old man gets his clothes from the Good Neighbor Shop. He depends on the Soup Kitchen for lunch each day and splurges at area restaurants when he has money.

“I’ve sat uptown and wondered where I’m going to eat dinner then something pops up,” he says.

He does chores for people and businesses to earn a few bucks and to pass the day.

“But mostly I hang out,” he says.

Darrell hasn’t had a full-time job in 10 years. He lost his job in fast food due to a back injury.

He admits that drinking contributed to keeping him on the streets for so long but says that he gave up alcohol four years ago.

The past two years have been especially difficult for Darrell. His grandparents and mother passed away. He suffered a mild stroke, and his asthma has worsened.

The holidays didn’t help. He spent the majority of Thanksgiving hanging out at an area convenience store.

Darrell admits that staying optimistic is tough.

He says he’s thought about putting an end to his life but thinks of what it would do to his family and friends. He turns to his faith for guidance and encouragement.

“I’ve thought that there’s nobody out there that cares. I’ve thought what’s the point of living,” Darrell says.

“I look to the Lord to help me get through situations.”

“George of the Jungle”

George O’Donoghue refers to himself as George of the Jungle.

Adventures he’s experienced on the street have earned him the title. He describes some of the worst situations he’s been in. Two years ago he was held up at gun point in Gaston. He had $2.

Sleeping at The Dog Pound in Mecklenburg County is one of his lowest points, he says.

George describes The Dog Pound as an area behind Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte where the homeless sleep. There are mattresses, but he hopes to never return.

“It’s such a nasty place,” he says.

For now, he sleeps indoors.

George has found a temporary home with a friend in Stanley but still considers himself homeless.

He has no job, no transportation.

He hitchhikes from one end of the county to the other.

“I can just be standing there praying and the Lord will send someone along to pick me up,” he says.

George smiles when he talks about the kindness of strangers. He visited Lincolnton’s soup kitchen for the first time this week and ran into some old friends. He greets them with a smile.

But George’s smiling eyes soon fill with tears when he thinks of his family. He has four children — Angel, Tiffany, Melissa and Lynn — that he hasn’t seen in years. This month would’ve marked his 27th anniversary with his wife. They are now divorced.

“I love them to death,” he says. “They just don’t think I’m nothing no more.”

George has not been employed since an accident more than 10 years ago. He fell off a pole while working as a lineman during Hurricane Hugo. His injured knee kept him out of work.

His career now consists of doing good deeds. George spends his free time helping the elderly and handicapped. He doesn’t ask for payment.

“I don’t ask no praise for it,” he says. “I just ask that the Lord give me another breath.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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