Alvin Dixon El Alvin Dixon El, a native of Washington D.C., graduated from Dunbar High School and attended the University of the District of Columbia. He worked for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for eight years as a maintenance mechanic and also worked in a group home for abused and neglected children. Alvin was married at the age of 17 and has three sons. How did you become homeless? My son and I shared an apartment together after my divorce. I lost my son to the streets. This was very painful for me, and I had a nervous breakdown and had to be hospitalized for a while. As a result of that, I lost my apartment and was unable to work. What is the hardest thing for you about being homeless? The hardest thing is feelings of inadequacy. Not being self-sufficient and having to rely on other people is hard. It was also hard being disconnected from my family. Not being stable for them so that they were able to reach me was hard. I have a very close-knit family. Favorite book? The Bible and The Koran.