Sitting down to a dinner with turkey and all the trimmings, Gathan Lathan is thankful to the people who put it on and the effort they make to brighten up his life during the Christmas season.

But he and his fellow diners would like to see the same kind of effort put in 365 days a year and would prefer to be sitting down with their own families on Christmas Day instead.

Gathan Lathan is homeless.

And he and 65 other homeless people call the Salvation Army Emergency Housing Complex on North Street home.

For many of them Christmas Day is not that different from any other day, instead it is a battle to stay off drugs and to scratch out a living on the streets.

Hours prior to filling the Salvation Army Citadel hall for the annual Christmas dinner last week, Mr. Lathan and some of the other residents sat down with The Royal Gazette and candidly expressed their feelings about being on hard times especially around Christmas time.

“Once upon a time it used to be a time of jolly,” said Mr. Lathan. “But nowadays, I am just about managing. I don't have the things I need and work is hard to come by.

“I am thankful for what I do have, because it is Christmas. I know I will have all the turkey and trimmings - and the Lord will wake me up that day, so I know that I will have a good day. But what I say to the people out there is to be thankful for what you do have and strive to get more on your own.”

Back in 1991 the last Census revealed that there were 78 homeless people in Bermuda.

That figure by all estimates has probably increased by 15 percent.

And with the latest wave of economic uncertainty, some residents of the shelter hoped to get a different Christmas message across to the community.

Vaughn, a regular visitor to the shelter said: “Not everyone in the shelter is a homeless or disabled person. I've met some people here who are very, very outstanding people. The people here have resolved to isolate themselves from negative situations - they understand the difficulties of society out there - and they understand the effects that they could have on society.”

Vaughn and the others enjoy humble accommodations that are modestly equipped with the basic necessities - bathrooms, shower facilities, sitting area, shared bedrooms - all seemingly the comforts of home.

But gathered on the outside lawn, five residents seated on broken milk cartons reflect on the strain they face to get their lives back on track.

They say it is a daily struggle, because they may have former and even current addictions to substances, such as drugs or alcohol has made it hard for them - and they admit this has led to loss in their personal lives and abandonment of and by family.

And with years of rough living evident, their worn faces express passion as they explain how they hope they do not become a forgotten part of Bermudian society.

“It's more depressing than frustrating,” said Norris, an electrician by trade, who has found himself paying $30 a month to live at the shelter. “This time of year is really not the best time for me. I have family and I know they love me - but because of my predicament, I got caught up in drugs. I try not to be a burden to them. And maybe I am to blame, but I try my best.”

And Norris said that he believed if society's social agencies were more equipped and more aggressive in combating the scourge of drug abuse in the community, people like him might be given a fair chance to re-enter the ranks of a functioning society.

“There is so much money in drugs,” Norris continued. “It's a situation that they pretend that they are dealing with. I have been in the rehabilitation programmes, but after the programme there is no place to go.

“It is a problem that is not dealt with fully - they haven't thought it straight through to the end. What happens after rehabilitation? Most of the guys end up back here. Who is going to give us a house? For me I try to make the best of a bad situation. I work when I can, but in the last year the majority if the hustles I've had don't provide insurance. I can deal with responsibility, but society is making it so hard for us.”

And Pete, an admitted heroin addict agrees. Pete is no older than 32, but said the “pressure” in his life caused him to turn to drugs.

With his head held low and in a soft voice, he recalls how his drug addiction caused him to hit rock bottom.

And he admitted that his Christmas wish would be to kick the habit for good.

“I just got so caught up,” he said looking toward the ground. “I put so much pressure on myself. I really don't have a family, both my mother and father died. I want to get off drugs, I tried some pills, they worked for a time, but they make me feel so bad.”

Pete continued: “I am a heroin addict, it was nice at first, but now I just use it so I don't feel so bad. Today I haven't used any heroin and I am hoping that I can keep it up. If I can just kick this habit and work and save money, that would be a help.”

And Pete, who said he has children of his own, says he stays away out of shame and embarrassment and that this time of year only magnifies his troubles more.

“I can't do nothing for them right now,” he said. “I feel so bad right now I just don't even want to see them. I really keep to myself a lot.”

But it is that isolation of Bermuda's down trodden, said facility manager Hugo Mayers, that he hoped society can shake.

And he is hoping that this time of year, Bermudians might venture to spend part of their special day with members of the shelter.

“The majority of our clients are long term,” he said. “There are no real family links for a lot of them. One of the possible links to easing the homeless situation is if family members stayed in contact. But we try to make them as comfortable as possible.”

Mr. Mayers admitted that it has been an uphill battle to keep the shelter a free and clear place of substance abuse and said the shelter has put into place initiatives to try and keep them focused on becoming a functioning member of society.

Yet, Michael Wayne, a shelter resident made a plea that echoed all of his fellow residents.

He explained that there is no one in the facility that is ungrateful of the help.

And he encouraged the community not to turn a blind eye to the “fellas” who hang out at the North Street shelter.

“The facilities here are helpful,” Mr. Wayne said smiling. “They are supportive all year round. I come here from Monday to Friday - to get my regular meals. But I also ask people who don't know what this place is about to come around and sit with us.”