Residents of Skid Row: Kira Perdu

Skid Row is filled with people that are mentally ill. For the past 6 months this young woman only known as “KiKi” had been coming into our facility during the day and sleeping in front of our building at nights. KiKi didn’t speak to anyone. If anyone tried to harass or even help her, she would likely lash out. As long as people left her alone, she was harmless. Our staff always looked after KiKi, whether she knew it or not. Skid Row is filled with predators that prey on the helpless…especially the women.

About a month ago KiKi was sleeping in front of our building during the day. When the police asked her to move, she didn’t respond. The police then called the ambulance to come pick her up. When they tried to load her on to the gurney, KiKi jumped up and tried to walk away. The police then restrained her and took her away for resisting arrest. We were told that they were going to take to the hospital to get help.

Last week Kiki came walking into our facility with a huge smile and shocked everyone…she talked. While she didn’t really communicate with anyone before, nor did she know any of our staff, she came back to Urban Connection because she was loved. She told us she was schizophrenic and had run out of medication. Our case managers helped her get her ID, go to mental heath services and went with her to the courts to deal with her warrants. She is now sleeping inside, volunteering and attending bible studies at Urban Connection everyday.

We also found out that Kiki’s real name was Kira Perdue, she’s been on Skid Row for almost 3 years and that she had an 8 year old son that she hasn’t seen in 3 years. On Saturday we made arrangements with her step father who has custody of her son for a one hour visitation.

We are scheduled to take Kira back to see her son next Saturday and in the mean time, we are checking out a couple facilities that would be able to meet Kira’s needs.