As things settled down (at least until the next kind hearted group of generous donors came by), Joy Junction Assistant Resident Services Manager Lisa Woodward told me she learned that a few of the shelter's single residents had taken several cases of the donated diapers.

Quite understandably, Lisa was more than a little curious and started an immediate search. Sheltering between 60 to 80 children nightly with their parents, diapers donated to Joy Junction are a precious commodity.

As Lisa continued her quest she found out that a few of the individuals who had taken the diapers had children living off site, perhaps with other family members. While Lisa wasn't thrilled to learn they had taken the diapers without going through the proper channels, she did understand. After all, how must these mothers feel when told by their children's care givers that diapers are a badly needed (but perhaps financially unattainable) item?

However, it was the next part of investigation, when she approached a single female, that floored Lisa.

She said, "I ... (asked her) why she had two bundles of diapers. She asked if I worked for Joy Junction. I told her I did. She then asked me if I wasn't aware of some of the informational releases put out by Joy Junction."

Lisa said, "I stated I was fairly sure I was aware of most, however in this age of Facebook and Twitter, I wasn't perhaps aware of everything."

Lisa said the resident explained. She told Lisa (apparently somewhat scathingly) that her boss (me) was aware that there are minimal toilet facilities in downtown Albuquerque for the homeless, and that puts the homeless in a humiliating dilemma. As a result of the lack of toilets, this Joy Junction resident told Lisa, the homeless "have to disgrace themselves urinating and defecating behind dumpsters and any other place with some privacy. It is doubly bad for females as they must disrobe to do either."

This resident went on tell Lisa that when she and other homeless individuals did not make it a day shelter or Joy Junction, they could use the diapers in their jeans and then discard the waste with some dignity.

Lisa said, "In short, she stated that at this point diapers had a better street value than cocaine."

Lisa continued, "I was stopped in my tracks. I have been homeless, and have worked within the gates of Joy Junction for a little over four years, but had never heard this. I apologized to the resident for questioning her on why she needed her dignity, and returned to my office very humbled."

Some time ago, when the issue of a lack of restroom facilities was first brought to my attention, a handful of Joy Junction residents were asked their thoughts about this issue. They didn't mention diapers as a solution, but they said lack of restrooms is a big problem. However, they and others have learned to be creative. These residents said the Downtown Albuquerque Library and the Alvarado Transportation Center were their first and second choices respectively.

One individual said you have to be "sneaky" when using the Greyhound. This person said he only uses it when he has enough time and money to pretend he is getting a snack or looking at schedules. Even then, he said, once you leave, make sure you disappear, and don't hang out in front.

Some individuals hop over the fences on the construction sites. Sometimes, they said, they will use the porta potty's there, or at other times, they admitted, "they will just find a spot."

Some Joy Junction guests said when they have asked for directions to a bathroom, many times they are either ignored or receive a hateful response.

I was horrified to hear that one individual was told, "If you had a home, you would know where the bathroom is." A comment like this is so hateful it defies description.

My Take

I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas this year, but if for some reason it is not everything for which you hoped, please remember the plight of those who have no home - and no bathroom. Please consider asking the Lord what you can do to help.