People become homeless for a number of reasons. Sometimes they lose a job, or have a falling out with their family, or are escaping domestic violence, or have family but are too mentally ill to care for themselves. Some are simply down on their luck. And some may not be able to cite a clear reason, and trying to find out their story involves untangling layers of a complicated history.
Only one thing is certain: on the coldest nights, they could die unless somebody breaks through the barriers to help them.
Joan, a local homeless woman, and her cat, Tux – whom she often transports in a carrier – could have met such a fate. The duo, who have become a common sight in Hoboken, are often out on cold nights, including 11 p.m. this past Christmas Eve.
Last weekend, as temperatures began to drop into the single digits, one resident with sympathy for Joan was able to get her off the street. Kerry D., who has been working in Hoboken for roughly one year, organized an online GoFundMe page to allow others to donate to help get Joan off the streets.
“She’s been here for some time and I think she obviously has a very visible presence.” – Meagan Matthews
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“I just got off the phone with Joan and she sounded very happy and rested,” reads a post Kerry wrote on the online fund-raising page a week ago. “When I told her she has more than $10,000 in donations, she said, ‘Holy smokes.’ ”
With the help of Hoboken residents, Kerry was able to get Joan and Tux into a hotel that allows pets – something almost all shelters forbid.
A face in the city
In 2009, The Hoboken Reporter published a story on Joan and her cat, titled “Travels with Sugar.” Back then, Joan, who did not want to give her last name, said Hoboken held cherished memories for her because she lived here in her youngest years. (Sugar was the cat she had adopted many years ago, who died last year). The story described how Joan bought only the best food for Sugar and took better care of the cat than herself.
At some point in Joan’s childhood, her family moved to Union City. She stayed in an affordable rooming house there for years, paying by the week and not needing a security deposit — but eventually it closed.
After meeting Joan, Kerry wrote on the online fundraising page, she heard her “heartbreaking” story.
“She worked for 47 years as a cleaning woman and was a contributing member of society,” Kerry posted last week.
Donations from concerned locals on the GoFundMe Page were accompanied by words of encouragement.
“From one cat family to another – we remember her beloved white kitty…and when a Good Samaritan gave her the first rolling carrier,” posted Lorraine and Russ after donating $50 earlier this week. “So happy to see how many people care.”
Kevin Stinson simply wrote, “Prayer and blessings.”
But perhaps none know Joan’s humility like Hoboken’s Cornerstone Pets owner Meagan Matthews.
“She’s a great and very interesting woman. When she comes in, we donate bags for her that she carries her cat around in, as well as harnesses,” Matthews, who owns the Ninth Street pet store, told the Reporter.
Matthews, who said she’s known Joan for about seven years, described a typical visit from Joan as a jovial encounter she looks forward to.
“She is a huge animal lover and she’s always concerned over the pets at the shelter,” she said. “Joan’s always making sure Tux has everything he needs. Unfortunately I know people harass her occasionally, as if she doesn’t deserve to have a pet. But she’s always very protective of Tux and her previous cat, Sugar, too.”
Matthews said Joan, despite being homeless, often puts the little money she has in their tip jar, which makes contributions to the Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City.
The pet store owner not only helped the campaign to help from her own pocket, but is open to taking donations at the store to help Joan.
“She is part of the Hoboken community. She’s been here for some time and I think she obviously has a very visible presence. I think its great people have been able to donate,” she said. “I hope we can do it for more people out there in the future.”
On Thursday, Kerry said, “We are very appreciative for all the support Joan has received from the community. With the generous donations, Joan and Tux have been able to stay safe and warm at a hotel. We are hopeful that we can help Joan build a brighter future.”
Helping out
Sometimes, people say they don’t give money to the homeless because they aren’t sure it goes to the right place, but wherever it goes and whatever the reason it’s needed, it may give them a bit of hope, a temporary respite, or even get them off the street into a place that’s safer. Last week, a few web comments claimed that Joan visits local stores to purchase lottery tickets. However, store employees at the delis and convenience stores in the area referenced in the posts disputed the claims. Andy, an employee at Hoboken Daily News, called the comments “gossip” and said he didn’t recall seeing her in the store.
While the original GoFundMe goal was listed as $6,000, Kerry said the additional money will help pay for an upcoming necessary medical procedure, past medical bills, and keep Joan in a home until she can get affordable housing – a difficult prospect in a county where people remain on housing waiting lists for years.
You can contribute to Joan and Tux by visiting www.gofundme.com/Joan-TuxFund. To comment on this story email srodas@hudsonreporter.com.
Steven Rodas can be reached at srodas@hudsonreporter.com.