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gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
I never give money to the homeless on the street. I have issues with the probability that my money might go to support a drug dealer. Save the cash for shelters and places that put the money to some real good on a large scale.
I was traveling with a friend in Chicago, and she was offended that I refused to give up loose change to a couple of guys wo gave the lines "I'm hungry...Can you spare some change" and "Please...I just want to get some food." I took her accross the street to a pizza place, got a large pizza with pepperoni, and then took her back to the two men. "You want some Pizza?" 1st man-"Urm...I don't like Pepperoni." 2nd man-"*Explitives Deleted*!!" We walked around Chicago for 15 minutes more with a piping hot fresh pizza, offering it to anyone who asked for money for food. After talking to at least a dozen of the homeless, being sworn at and having people turn down the pizza and ask for cash again, we found one person who actually wanted food. She took the pizza back to her car to feed her kids. I went to the corner store and bought them some milk, two loaves of bread and a jar of peanut butter. Throwing cash at people on the street does little besides make you feel a little better about yourself, because it is rare that the right ones get it. In order to do any real good, you need to interact. Do I give cash? Nope. I will give $1 McDonalds gift certificates. I will buy someone a cup of coffee or a sandwich. I will even take someone out to lunch at a corner diner. Cash, never. It goes to the wrong places. Gwyd |
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Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
Gwyd's approach is nearly identical to my own -- though I've never been sworn at by those refusing my gift of food. I agree that giving money to the homeless doesn't help them (in any long-term, substantive way), and that it's just morally wrong to NOT give food to someone who's hungry.
Curious how well dressed many of the "homeless" people in my region appear...they look shabby enough, mostly, until you notice they're wearing brand new Nikes or Adidas or some other pricey shoes. And they're virtually ALWAYS smoking...pretty cheeky of someone to beg me for cash while they've blown their own on $3.00/pack smokes. Far more curious is the man whom I know to be homeless; desparately thin, shaggy, filthy and ragged. In our 3 or 4 encounters over the last few years, he's been lucid, articulate, and displays far more calm than his circumstances might suggest. I've all but begged him to take a sack of food, decent clothes, an umbrella or some money, and each time he's firmly -- but most politely -- declined...as has his appearance over time. My cynicism must defer to Nicholas' calculus on this matter, and in deferring will paraphrase the much earlier Blackstone: It is better to risk feeding 10 who feign hunger than to ignore 1 who is truly hungry. Leland |
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James F Inner circle Atlanta 1096 Posts |
"My cynicism must defer to Nicholas' calculus on this matter, and in deferring will paraphrase the much earlier Blackstone: It is better to risk feeding 10 who feign hunger than to ignore 1 who is truly hungry."
I like that a lot...Ive never heard that before. |
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi,
I guess the reality of the situation is those that truly want to get off the streets it's really not that easy. Most people assume they simply have to walk into a shelter and ask for help or get a job. Reality sets in however, as seriously how many people are going to hire someone that has no address, perhaps no contact number to reach them and as appearances are important, would they want to hire someone that is perhaps a bit shabby? The reality of the situation and the frustration of it became aware to me a couple years ago when I tried to help two youths off the street. They sounded sincere and as I had known both of them for a couple years. I, against my better judgement gave them a chance. One ripped me off for everything that wasn't nailed down in my house..I returned home to find nothing but the furniture left and my bank account depleted of all funds. The power of drugs is so strong and addiction makes you do stuff that later you are ashamed of...thus creating a vicious cycle of hate and no self worth. The other kid, although in the throes of addiction genuinely appeared to want the help. Contacting detox, although I live in a major city I found out the following. The waiting list was 300! Yes, 300 people!!! There were only two youth beds available ..two!!! and the other 10 beds were for adults. This is in a major city! Fortunately a youth detox is being built but won't be completed for another 2 years. To get him in however, a drug councellor had to sit down and fill out a 22 page form with them. Contacting the drug councellors office I found out appts were being make 3-4 weeks in advance. If someone makes the choice to quit how the heck can they wait? The pull of the drugs and streets is so strong that most of these kids never get the chance if they decide they want to quit. It's almost as if each needs a few people to concentrate and help them at that very moment they make the decision. Not that easy and realistically unless they have people that care and are willing to do it..they will never get the chance. I know some people are thinking well it's their fault in the first place and yes they take the responsibilty for that stupid decision. Again, the reality is some kid may have tried something just "one time" and are hooked. Crack and Meth are drugs that only have to be taken once and are addicted. Hard to believe but true. A lot of these kids some as young as 13 and 14 didn't realize how dangerous that momentary lapse of judgement was. Back to the story. After arriving home and finding the back of my stove burned, my fireplace place glass screen shattered in a million pieces it may have been easy to say..forget it. I stuck with him and eventually got him into Detox where I thought that was the end of this nightmare. How wrong I was. I called numerous places in North America trying to find a youth bed that would take in the kid for rehab as supposedly now he was clean from Detox. Again, no beds available unless you were willing to pay 10,000 dollars for a private one. That again is the reality of the situation. The 22 pages of "records" still hadn't been filled out in order to even put him on a waiting list for rehab as the drug councellor was overwhelmed. No rehab will accept anyone unless they've had a tb test, which means finding a doctor or clinic and then returning with the individual 3 days later for confirmation that it's negative. How can a kid whom is hooked on drugs and not know one day from the next expect to be concious enough to do that ..unless they find people willing to help them? Using all resources and now limited funds as all my monies were gone. The kid that stole it was now sitting in jail on other offences and wouldn't be able to pay me back anyhow. The other kid whom was younger was in detox as as they only allow 5 days max..time was running out. Usually the max stay allowed is three days but I begged and pleaded again to not let him out unless I found a place for him to go. All that work and he'd be released back to the streets. A vicious cycle! It is almost as if only a lucky few can find beds, or places that have spaces at that very moment in time will ever get the help. I begged, pleaded with so many places to give this kid a chance. I ended up getting permission to fill out the forms myself as luckily I had former experience in child care work. Next was taking time off to get the kid to take him to the doctors for the tb test. I found a place that had one youth bed available in the ENTIRE PROVINCE! BUT...urg! I had to have him there by 8 pm the next day at the latest. I luckily found a willing clinic that agreed to remain open while the kid got his tb scratch tested and an airline that held the last seat available. I'm not exaggerating..they trusted I would call back with my moms credit card number to hold the seat. The rehab then agreed that although the plane would arrive at 10 pm and they usually refused anyone after 8 pm they made an exception. Thankfully all those people gave him a chance and bent the rules a little..the clinic which stayed open 1/2 longer, the person whom books flights and the rehab place. How can a kid on drugs even begin to go through all the red tape while as a regular person found it so overwhelming and was tempted to just give up? These two had parents that probably loved them but had become too overwhelmed at the situation and how horrible it must have been for them to have their own families just throw them out. I can understand why they did after viewing my depleted bank account and the loss of my personal posessions. Worse is the people in the drug underworld that see these kids as commodeties and will use them to sell their drugs as they know a young kid won't have as harsh punishments. The younger one had only been into the drug world for only a month and yet had people calling him and threatening him. The older one had wooed him into the lifestyle as it was better for him if he had a partner that could also bring in money. I found out at the age of 18 he had already got 4 other 13 and 14 year olds hooked in order to bring in the drugs. All these kids came from loving suburban homes where unfortunately their lapse in judgement has given them a lifetime of horror. Sorry for the long ramble but in the end the kid went through rehab, I helped him find a job and he's paid me back in limited ways. I know he's grateful and I'm happy I stepped out to the plate but seriously couldn't do it again. So if I ever hear one person make the comment of how I should be helping people instead of animals on a post...I'd want to throttle them and ask how many times they've stepped up and made a difference. >>steps down from high horse. Chrystal |
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
Well Chrystal, remember, you live in a socialist country and they muck up things. I tried to find a place for my brother and found many that would take him that day, only requirement, he can't drink. He refused. He lives in a bush.
Steve V |
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Steve, it seems most countries in the Western World have had many adult places in existance, they've not kept up with the influx of the overwhelming numbers of teens that have sadly gone into that lifestyle.
It's only the last couple years that governments and schools have truly realized the harder drugs that have unfortunately seeped into the "mainstream". Remember I called numerous places all over North America for available youth beds. I guess they wait to help them when they are adults and unfortunately by then years go by and the chance may be gone. I can see why so many end up on the streets and don't ever remember anyone in school ever saying when I grow up I want to be an addict and live on the streets. >>presses cloth on bleeding heart :O) |
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
The children need to either be turned over to the police and they will find a place for them through the courts or returned to their families (if safe). I often year the term 'youth' used to describe 17 plus year olds and they can be put into the adult programs...the key is they have to want help.
Steve V |
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Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
Santani:
I am impressed and motivated by your compassionate and personal approach. How do you find the people you assist, and how do you qualify them? How do you provide assistance without offending them? [Clearly the ones you've helped are self-sufficient individuals who are likely to be embarrassed by accepting charity from others] Chrystal: Your compassion is also evident and something to be emulated, although I believe that the government is incapable of administering charity...a task best left to private citizens and organisations. As a Christian, I am appalled that so many churches in my area are constantly building, remodeling, expanding, and furnishing their buildings "to further God's kingdom" ...while there are people sleeping on carboard 'mattresses' right outside their doors! Of course there are homeless people like Steve V's brother, who choose to be there, and others who see homelessness as an easy way to avoid working. But how so many fat, wealthy church-goers can turn our eyes away from such glaring need...it is simply contrary to the love we sing about in church on Sundays. I expect my government to defend the Nation and interact with foreign powers, and leave most domestic concerns to the state, county, and local authorities and citizens. For charitable needs like feeding hungry people, that means the church and similar groups have work to do (which is why yours and Santani's efforts are so appealing). On this end of the Internet, however, I am ashamed to admit: We've been slacking off. Leland |
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James F Inner circle Atlanta 1096 Posts |
"I am appalled that so many churches in my area are constantly building, remodeling, expanding, and furnishing their buildings "to further God's kingdom" ...while there are people sleeping on carboard 'mattresses' right outside their doors!"
How true that is. I see things like that and just cant imagine God being happy with the situation. It just doesn't make any sense. I think we've been slacking off a lot more than people care to admit. A lot of people in America and Europe and other areas don't have much money, but compared to the rest of the world we are filthy rich. With Christmas coming up it really hits home ...Why should I spend money on buying people gifts (and why should others spend money on buying me gifts) when there are litterally THOUSANDS of people dying every day. (and dying of ridiculous things such as malnutrition and curable diseases) Its just not right that we have vacations and gifts and ps2s while there are people dying all around us and on the other side of the planet. Thinking about things that way sure makes you wonder how good of a person we really are when we are buying that CD or McDonalds or going on a vacation. |
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gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
One of the chuches near me has actually put in a real STARBUCKS for extra income for the church. The number of SUV's and High end vehicles in the parking lot is staggering. 2500 seats in the main auditorium of the church, two side auditoriums, a gymnasium/fitness club and pool. Plus video projection screens, video feeds throughout the church and their Caféteria and bookstore. $100,000 video and soundsystem.
Yes they do give to charities and do missionary work. But not nearly as much as they spend on maintaining their church. Oh... And the minister drives a Mercedes. I'm sure that is what their Higher Power whould want. Gwyd |
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
God prefers Caddies.
Steve V |
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gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
Sweet...I drive a Caddy....
11 years old with 300,000 miles on it (This is not an exaggeration). But still a Cadillac. Gwyd |
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James F Inner circle Atlanta 1096 Posts |
"God prefers caddies"
Yeah, its a well known fact. I don't know what that minister was thinking. *shrug* |
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Metone New user 57 Posts |
This is a great topic. Can anyone give any advise on how to deal with when you are a street performer? Busker? In my area we can have some problems with the bums when perfoming.
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