“May I see some ID?”
What sounds routine to most of us can be a terrifying question to many homeless and impoverished people who never got or have been separated from formal identification.
Without ID, people can’t apply for a job or school or access most social services. Think of how often you whip yours out — to board a plane, to get a hotel room, to vote and a million other things.
It’s not an easy problem to rectify, either. I know that the last time I got a new driver’s license I had to bring along my old license, Social Security card, marriage license, proof of address and about $65. Imagine that you were homeless, and all those papers had been stolen along with your ID. Imagine that $65 was an unattainable sum. What could you do?
Thankfully, the “unidentified” in Orlando are getting some help from IDignity. It’s a volunteer-led effort to provide poor and homeless Floridians with identification cards, copies of their birth certificates and Social Security cards and, as the name implies, the dignity that comes with being able to prove you are who you say you are.
Since spring 2008, IDignity has been holding monthly events at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission in downtown Orlando, where people in need get free legal assistance.
It began when parishioners at several local churches realized they knew where to point homeless individuals for food or for shelter, but certainly not for copies of their birth certificates.
More than 200 clients are helped at IDignity events each month — and the number would be even higher if organizers didn’t have to turn people away for lack of resources. So far, the organization has helped 4,000 people get back on track.
Michael Dippy, the director of IDignity, explains the need his organization is meeting: “The documents that IDignity provides are required to apply for employment or school, obtain access to most shelters, vote, seek help from many social service programs, open a bank account or cash a check, secure housing or overcome many other obstacles to becoming self-sufficient.”
One client even taught Dippy a new — and tragic — reason to get an ID. He said he didn’t want to be classified as a John Doe when he died.
The next IDignity events are on Thursday, Jan. 20, and Thursday, Feb 17. Volunteers are always needed for the not-very-exciting but critically important work. Find out how you can volunteer right here.
Photos courtesy of IDignity.