This was my first time interviewing someone in the park when it was cold, when there was snow on all the bleachers, and the grass and ground were frozen. The idea of having to sleep on that ground – with or without a sleeping bag – struck me as daunting. Brentt (“Redd”) didn’t seem phased by the cold though, and we ended up standing by the stairs leading up to the bandshell. I was glad that because of Feet Forward’s “Tuesdays in the Park” program, Redd at least had a hot cup of coffee (mixed with chocolate) and a hot meal, which unfortunately proceeded to become cold over the time we spoke. I encouraged Redd to eat, but he said he’d eat later. He was eager to tell me his story, having seen some of the others that have been posted. This is the story of a local, of someone who has lived in Boulder most of his life. Redd is 39 years old, originally from Minnesota, but has been here since he was 15 years old. And when I say ‘here’, I mean he has been living outside since he was 15, and the majority of that time, in Boulder’s Central Park. Redd has traveled, and spent time in Florida, Minnesota, and New York, but he has never had his own place. For the last six years, he has been sleeping on the porch of First United Methodist Church, but is required to leave by early morning.

Redd’s entry into the world was not an easy one. His biological mother died of a heroin overdose shortly after giving birth to him. She was originally from California, and became addicted to drugs in the 1980s. His biological father was from Oklahoma, and a member of a “biker gang”. Both his parents came to Boulder as hippies. Redd’s biological dad died in a mountain pass car accident, along with his biological twin brother, sometime in the 90’s. The anniversary of their deaths is coming up on November 18. Redd said he could “feel” his twin brother, even though he himself had been adopted out at birth. Both of his adoptive parents are dead now as well, and he has no relationship with his adoptive family, including a brother who is a CEO at BET.

 Everyone seems to know Redd. He said he is in the park all day long, and is known for “policing the park.” He gets involved when he sees people acting out (in one instance assisting a woman who’d been raped), or when he sees people doing drugs. He has his own personal history with drugs (meth), but got clean after his son was born three years ago. That son, Lorenzzo, is who Redd is focused on now. At the time of his birth, Redd was living temporarily with his cousin. The State got involved in the care of the child almost immediately. Lorenzzo had a low heart beat at birth, and Redd and his girlfriend at the time were declared “unfit parents” due to not having a lease. Lorenzzo spent three months in foster care before being returned to his mother. He has since been returned to the care of the State after his mother assaulted her mother in front of him. Redd told me more than once that there is nothing more important to him than trying to save his kid: “me, my kid, and nobody else.” He said he is doing everything to be compliant with the system because he wants housing, a job, and visits with his son (currently not allowed).

 But the “system” is a complicated one, especially in cases for someone like Redd who has a felony criminal record. Redd says he has been to jail at least nine times, and that his criminal record includes menacing charges for having held a gun on an RTD cop who allegedly beat him up, and another for beating up his ex’s boyfriend, who was also unhoused at the time (that man is currently housed, living with Lorenzzo’s mother, and has a restraining order against Redd).  Redd said he has been assaulted twice by cops for resisting arrest, and when he asked for HOT (Homeless Outreach Team), was told they were not available. A nurse eventually checked him over in the jail. In at least once instance, he was let out on a PR bond. Redd was very adamant that I emphasize that although he was there at the time of the arrest, he was in no way involved in a recent criminal case in Boulder involving fentanyl and a bike ring. Redd’s sister was one of the people arrested.

Redd is keenly aware of how his record impedes him moving on in his life. It affects his ability to get a job, and definitely affects his ability to get housing (he was denied a voucher program for a hotel because of it). He said he has done multiple programs, including BHAP (Behavioral Health Assistance Program), and a program through the jail, but none have helped him in the way he needs. Redd has also done multiple housing assessments. (Personal aside: I was the director and owner of a foster care agency for over ten years, and thus keenly aware of how Redd’s history affects his progress in attaining custody, or even just visitation, with his son in the child welfare system. I also lead an expressive writing workshop at Denver Women’s Correctional Facility (DWCF), and have heard similar stories from the women there about custody and employment after being released). Navigating the various systems – housing, child welfare, probation – are always complicated, and exponentially so when you are unhoused. Getting employed with a felony record is not easy, and again, even harder when you are unhoused. Redd has experienced great disappointment recently after being told by a case manager that he had housing, only to find out that was not true. As of today, he does not have a voucher, and he does not have a job. It is important to note here that Redd has worked before. He worked with BOHO (Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow) for two years, he worked at Circle K, and he worked at a gyro stand for 12 years. When I asked Redd what kind of work he could see himself doing in the future, he said he would like to be an outreach worker for the shelter, or MHP (Mental Health Partners). As Feet Forward emphasizes, peer counseling is integral to finding solutions to homelessness. Whatever Redd’s record, he certainly has something to offer in this field.

 As I usually do, I asked Redd what he wanted people to most take away from this short profile of him, and he was quick with his answer that people should know he is a “kind soul who comes off as a hard-ass. Everyone wants his forever after, and I want mine too.” I found it particularly touching that when I asked Redd if I could take his picture, he took off his hat.