by Marty Brown
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 12/97) - Three men got eviction letters from the Salvation Army hostel a few weeks ago. Either shape up or get out by the end of January.

"We're already homeless, we're already broke. We're just down on our luck," said one man.

The homeless man said there's not much work out there. And most people living at the hostel wouldn't choose to if they had a choice.

In the winter, the men have to be up and out on the streets at 9 a.m. after a breakfast of toast and coffee. They are let back in at noon for a bowl of soup and again at 5:30 p.m. for supper.

There's nowhere to go, the man complained. You just keep walking.

"These people weren't playing by the rules," said Peter Skoropad, the manager of the hostel. "They're drinking up every penny they make. These letters are a wake up call."

But that's not how the recipients of the letters put it.

They are convinced they were going to be thrown out and would have to resort to a life of crime just to get three square meals a day and a warm bed to sleep in.

"If we support their lifestyles, it enables them to go no where," Skoropad said.

The Salvation Army runs a 24-bed emergency hostel, 12 beds paid for by Social Services, 12 by the Salvation Army.

"This isn't a home," said Captain Al Hoeft of the church. "These men have to wake up and take responsibility for the rest of their lives."

Although Hoeft admitted some of these men didn't have a lot of options, they could save their money and rent a room, he said. They just can't give up.

Hoeft said Social Services demands the Salvation Army work with the people to make pro-active choices. He said the rules are simple -- no drunks.

Once a week people have to see the counsellor, Skoropad, who assesses if they're actively trying to improve their lives through education and job searches.

The Salvation Army will help the men with writing resume and workshops to improve job skills.

As of Monday, the men had talked to Skoropad and were currently still at the hostel.