Greetings Department of Social Services,
I have received a few letters in the mail warning me that I might be in trouble for losing my public benefits card.
First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone at the New York City Human Resources Administration. The help I receive from HRA is a lifesaver.
I’m 44 years young and I have been homeless for about five years. I tried living in the shelters but I didn’t like it.
For about the last year and a half, I have been attending The City University of New York.
First I was at LaGuardia Community College. I earned a 3.975 GPA after 36 credits.
Now I’m at Baruch College. I’m in my first semester and things are going very well.
I have been robbed several times and had my wallet stolen. A few times I reported it to the police and there should be police reports on the NYPD computers.
I don’t have a criminal record at all. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t party. I don’t do anything illegal.
One time I went to HRA for a new public benefits card. HRA gave me a temporary card. After I went back to get the permanent card, I received a letter saying I’m in trouble for losing cards.
I have been robbed of clothes, laptops, smartphones, and anything else you can imagine. I will continue to try and be as careful as possible.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to improve my standing with HRA. I do everything exactly as HRA requests. I treat the staff at all HRA locations with the utmost respect at all times.
Please advise.
Thank you and have a great day.
Ever upward,
Mark Pine
