Find a safe area to find a retail job in and start learning some skills. I spent 24 years in retail, over half in management, and made a good living doing so.

You just have to be:

1. Reliable, I can’t stress this enough. Be there before they ask, take every opportunity they give you to work more hours (assuming you’re hourly). This is the #1 reason people don’t get the opportunity to move up and/or get fired.

2. Willing to cross train in other departments. This is always a good thing.

3. Willing to listen to superiors, take criticism and work on what they’re telling you for your development.

4. Developed. Once in a job, look for leaders to work under to mentor and develop you. This is crucial as you’ll excel faster with good leadership. Even Walmart has good leaders if you know what to look for. Does this person lead a team and support them or are they just a boss that demands things happen with no support?

5. Willing to get out of your comfort zone daily. Being homeless will quicken this skill but it’s still imperative that you don’t hold yourself back in the work world because you’re afraid to fail. I mean, how much worse can it get for you?

Lastly, sorry to hear you or others may be going through something like this. I hope shelter, safety, and support is found quickly.