Estranged from his family, LeMieux descended into homelessness. He says he slept in his van, ate meals at churches and the Salvation Army, and even ended up begging for money in grocery store parking lots.
LeMieux, 66, says the two-year odyssey ended when a church took him in and helped him get back on his feet. He says he underwent counseling and received medical attention for clinical depression.
“I never expected to end up living in my car on the streets, being lost and alone and in total shock. But I realize it can happen to anyone,” he said recently.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported this month that homelessness is on the rise among those from suburban and rural areas. The study tracked homeless figures from Oct. 1, 2007, to Sept. 30, 2008 and showed homeless families outside urban areas rose 56 percent during that period, and homeless individuals from suburban and rural locales increased by 34 percent.
Linda Kramer, CEO of Daybreak Inc. in Dayton, which provides emergency shelter for homeless youth, said the agency’s numbers reflect a similar trend.
“We’ve seen an increase in both suburban and urban,” she said. “Kids are really coming from across the board — from Trotwood, Northmont and south of town like Centerville and Kettering. ... Families are saying, ‘OK, you can fend for yourself. You’re turning 18. I’ve got other mouths to feed.’ ”
While the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported homeless figures overall remained steady during its research period, Kramer said Daybreak is projecting an increase in bed usage of 48 percent from 2008 to ’09.
“I’m afraid it’s going to get worse before it gets better, and all this is happening when funding is getting cut,” she said.
LeMieux, who lives in an apartment in Washington state while drawing Social Security, has written a book about his experiences called “Breakfast at Sally’s,” a reference to the Salvation Army. He’s gotten rave reviews from The New York Times and other publications and has appeared on Fox News.
He’s also being considered for a guest appearance on a nationally syndicated talk show this fall.
“I’m not out to make any money,” he said. “Deep in my heart, I want people to wake up and realize across this country, in Dayton and Springfield, there are people living out of their cars. I cry out and say, ‘This can’t be.’ ”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author