Curtis Dorion: Life on the Street and the Fight for Dignity

For Curtis Dorion, known on the streets as Small Boy, homelessness isn’t just about losing a home. A passionate musician who often carries his guitar with him, Curtis uses music to stay grounded and connect with others while navigating life without stable housing.

After fleeing an abusive relationship, he found himself living on the streets. Yet, he describes them not only as a place of hardship but also of unexpected dignity. “It’s a cashless society out here,” he said. “Your word, your respect, that’s worth more than money.” On the streets, people trade and support one another without judgment, something he rarely got from support programs.

Curtis believes the biggest problem with homelessness isn’t the people experiencing it but society’s response. “We wouldn’t be out here if there was proper support,” he explained. Despite his sobriety and efforts to rebuild, he faces constant roadblocks: demands to prove his situation, deal with complicated paperwork, and even attend detox simply to qualify for help.

Family struggles and legal battles have made things worse. As a single man, Curtis says support systems often overlook him. “It’s hard to be heard as a man,” he said. “You’re expected to work through it all, even when your mental health is falling apart.”

He also points to how wages fail to keep up with the cost of living. “You wake up already owing $200. By the weekend, you’re too tired to enjoy life,” he said. “It’s a constant struggle just to stay afloat.”

Curtis wants people to understand that most unhoused individuals are not dangerous; they are survivors. “A lot of us are just trying to heal,” he shared. “What we need is stability: somewhere to rest, to know if I put my coffee down, it’ll still be there when I come back.”

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AUDIO STORY

Inside Merit Place: Stories of Hope, Humanity, and Home
By Carolina Proença

Walking into Merit Place Shelter for the first time, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Most of us only hear about homelessness from the outside, and it’s usually based on assumptions or quick judgment. Spending time inside the shelter and talking to the people there gave me a perspective I don’t think I could have learned from a classroom or an article.

For this podcast, I spoke with two managers at Merit Place, George Moutsos and Candace Hiscock. They explained what their roles look like on a daily basis and how the shelter supports people in more ways than just providing a place to sleep. Both of them talked about the importance of respect, understanding, and taking the time to really listen to the individuals who come through their doors.

I also interviewed one of the residents, who goes by the nickname “Cowboy.” He shared what it feels like to stay in a shelter, what keeps him hopeful, and what motivates him to keep going every day. Hearing his story directly, in his own voice, made a huge difference. It reminded me that homelessness isn’t just a situation, it’s a personal experience with emotions, challenges, and goals, just like anyone else.

This podcast is meant to give a more human look at what life inside a shelter is actually like. If you’re curious and open to seeing homelessness from a new perspective, I invite you to press play.