Somewhere over the rainbow, revisited two decades later

Someone in a local online forum mentioned in a comment thread that Jacksonville isn't considered as much the 'goto' location for transient homeless in other parts of the nation, as opposed to San Francisco. For someone having a knowledge of California lifestyles, it's understandable why the mistake was made.

From Maine to the Mississippi, Jacksonville has always been on the tip of the tongue for many migrant transients since 1988 long before the internet was made available to the masses as it is now. Word was spoken of churches offering clothing vouchers, Traveller's Aid assistance for busses to other cities, and other items of interest that were the stuff of urban legend and lore for those looking for the literal pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Always mentioned by name and reference was the First Baptist Church, most known for it's City Rescue Operation and Thrift Store. Personally I can attest to having heard of it in both West Virginia and Chicagoland area shelters by more seasoned 'hobos', those that made it their livlihood of travelling state to state either by rail or road...a lifestyle that for some it would have been a smart choice for getting travel insurance quotes before jumping trains.

Maybe in time when man colonizes the moon and we have people stranded and homeless in space will we see even the United States less known for it's homelessness.

By then when we've left our home those left behind will be the ones homeless, no?