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| Topic: What do you do with the homeless on the streets? | |
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i was homeless for close to 20 months, when the savings and loan fell, in sept 87- april 89. it was harsh, but could have been worse. i took showers outside, sometimes under a hose in 20 degree temps....pretended it was a mountain waterfall, lived in the woods with about 75 vietnam vets, and worked jobs during the night, bouncing nightclubs and exotic dancing, as well as signs and special effects jobs when i could get them. it was hard to come up with the money to get an apartment when you have to live day to day, with no refrigerator to save food, and come up with $1,500 first, last, and security. i did eventually, and i don't drink. most do. i was the only one to get out. the week after i moved in,...they started $99 move-in specials!!!! man was i pissed!!!!  um, no. i was the only one to get out of that woods.......i was it! you were homeless love? My parents were abusive growing up.. no God just disfunction... They abandon my younger sister and me and moved from Minn. to Florida... Yes it is a scarry thing to live out I was only 15.........I grew up very fast its amazing I even survived..... |
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Well in Fort Worth they have put in new laws and they are not allowed to roam the streets of downtown at all. No sleeping on the steps of the Court House or hanging around the businesses downtown.
Sure this has only pushed them a little farther outside of town. Have I given them money sure I have. Do I wonder what they spend it on nope that is up to them to make that choice. If I give it to them then it is theirs to do with what they want to. If it bothers others to give them money then give them food instead. It is sad and I don't care what some may say nothing will convince me that they all choose to be on the streets. 
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i was homeless for close to 20 months, when the savings and loan fell, in sept 87- april 89. it was harsh, but could have been worse. i took showers outside, sometimes under a hose in 20 degree temps....pretended it was a mountain waterfall, lived in the woods with about 75 vietnam vets, and worked jobs during the night, bouncing nightclubs and exotic dancing, as well as signs and special effects jobs when i could get them. it was hard to come up with the money to get an apartment when you have to live day to day, with no refrigerator to save food, and come up with $1,500 first, last, and security. i did eventually, and i don't drink. most do. i was the only one to get out. the week after i moved in,...they started $99 move-in specials!!!! man was i pissed!!!! wow - glad you made it out. thanks! me too! i was wondering for awhile if i would. one really high paying job happened for me. I try and not judge anyone (though I fail at times and admit it). But I have on occassion offered small odd and ends jobs to the homeless and they were more than willing, others declined and some were skilled. Some will use it to move ahead, others for a fix. But I did something, they helped me, I paid them both parties satisfied.
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I usually ask them if they can spare some change. Heck, they have been collecting it from me for years. It is time for pay back. Just kidding. I don't know. It depends on why they are there. If they are there because they are insane and have no family, I feel bad for them. However, if they are there by choice and have the mental capacity to earn a living like the rest of us...I really have no sympathy for that.
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Edited by
Winx
on
Wed 03/11/09 08:09 AM
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I agree Dark...EVERYONE has a story & not all of them are about being self-destructive... in fla, i've seen it happen to many, and in new orleans, ive seen it happen even more. nobody wants to be homeless at first, it's just that they loose hope, and they can't get more than a little hand up. the ones who really need it are imbarrassed to ask for handouts, and the panhandlers make it, because they are aggressive and have less of a consience, and they believe somebody owes them, from what i've seen first hand. It's difficult to get out of that situation. How does one find a job with no address or phone? How do they stay healthy and clean up for job interviews? The list goes on.. Then add the hopelessness on top of it. Also, like you mentioned, it's difficult to come up with first and last month's rent for an apartment. It's a viscious cycle. |
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You can't get a job without an address. You can't pay for an address without a job.
That was LESS true before Reagan was in office. It is more true now, but there are resources one can avail themselves to that help. Sometimes it's not pride goeth before a fall, it is pride that keeps us down. |
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Do you give them food or money? Do you drive by and tell them "Get a job" THE JOBS ARE ALL OVERSEAS............ |
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I usually ask them if they can spare some change. Heck, they have been collecting it from me for years. It is time for pay back. Just kidding. I don't know. It depends on why they are there. If they are there because they are insane and have no family, I feel bad for them. However, if they are there by choice and have the mental capacity to earn a living like the rest of us...I really have no sympathy for that. True.. some make a great living dressing down and acting homeless.. you never know.... Saw one guy the other day with his big cardboard sign... "Im not gona lie I need a BEER!" 
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Darkowl~ You are the exception to the rule. Here here!!!  in that woods i was, but there are others too, but they are few....it's a hard life, with not much enjoyment, and they get enjoyment in whatever way they can. it's just that it can be self-destructive. i didn't drink or smoke, and i was determined like a freight train, (and built like one too, lol) so i plowed forward, but i swear, everything tried to stop me at every turn....THAT IS THE PROBLEM..... it's hard to climb, when everything's pushing you down. we will see more of this. there are tent cities popping up everywhere, and in new orleans, under I-10, since katrina, and getting bigger!!! |
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Darkowl~ See, I perservere and I am determined, as are you. If I can be that way, and you can be that way, it's not impossible. And as you can see in this thread there are many many people willing to help.
Then there are the "I just need five dollars for a bus ticket yo get home" scam artists.... Once bitten twice shy. |
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i was homeless for close to 20 months, when the savings and loan fell, in sept 87- april 89. it was harsh, but could have been worse. i took showers outside, sometimes under a hose in 20 degree temps....pretended it was a mountain waterfall, lived in the woods with about 75 vietnam vets, and worked jobs during the night, bouncing nightclubs and exotic dancing, as well as signs and special effects jobs when i could get them. it was hard to come up with the money to get an apartment when you have to live day to day, with no refrigerator to save food, and come up with $1,500 first, last, and security. i did eventually, and i don't drink. most do. i was the only one to get out. the week after i moved in,...they started $99 move-in specials!!!! man was i pissed!!!! um, no. i was the only one to get out of that woods.......i was it! you were homeless love? My parents were abusive growing up.. no God just disfunction... They abandon my younger sister and me and moved from Minn. to Florida... Yes it is a scarry thing to live out I was only 15.........I grew up very fast its amazing I even survived..... yes it is! you rock!!! what a responsibility, another life when you're that young.....
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Food......and a jacket or blanket.
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Darkowl~ See, I perservere and I am determined, as are you. If I can be that way, and you can be that way, it's not impossible. And as you can see in this thread there are many many people willing to help. Then there are the "I just need five dollars for a bus ticket yo get home" scam artists.... Once bitten twice shy. tee hee, yeah, i offer to drive em........the look on their faces! but it's 200 miles?? i'll drive.....they decline, lol. |
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On rare occasion I've offered food.... declined.
Sadly, I know most of them by name. They will be high or drunk and say, miss lady can I have a dollar? I reply, Don, if you used up your weekly allowance already you need to use community resources. Or, Bobby, I know you, remember? Go see your caseworker. Here, I know her number, you can use my phone. I guess when you see it every day and you know why most of them are homeless you lose that bloody heart. |
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I usually ask them if they can spare some change. Heck, they have been collecting it from me for years. It is time for pay back. Just kidding. I don't know. It depends on why they are there. If they are there because they are insane and have no family, I feel bad for them. However, if they are there by choice and have the mental capacity to earn a living like the rest of us...I really have no sympathy for that. True.. some make a great living dressing down and acting homeless.. you never know.... Saw one guy the other day with his big cardboard sign... "Im not gona lie I need a BEER!" Ha! I believe I'd give him a dollar just for his honesty! There's a LOT of people with homes that are supposedly upstanding, that aren't that honest... |
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Edited by
darkowl1
on
Wed 03/11/09 08:30 AM
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You can't get a job without an address. You can't pay for an address without a job. That was LESS true before Reagan was in office. It is more true now, but there are resources one can avail themselves to that help. Sometimes it's not pride goeth before a fall, it is pride that keeps us down. even moving from one state to another, that's becoming a problem, and a chunk of change too! it costs, everywhere now. and it's getting harder to get valid id's too. bush made this damn near impossible. i have 4 peices of ID, and to move from fla to mich, and change licences, i had to have five! five!!! where the hell am i going to get five! i still have my fla licence, i just have to keep it current and go back down every so often....ludicris!!! in new orleans, for seven years i had a fla license, and i'm just going back to fla....love mich, but it's winters, and no riding.....not for me. |
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i was homeless for close to 20 months, when the savings and loan fell, in sept 87- april 89. it was harsh, but could have been worse. i took showers outside, sometimes under a hose in 20 degree temps....pretended it was a mountain waterfall, lived in the woods with about 75 vietnam vets, and worked jobs during the night, bouncing nightclubs and exotic dancing, as well as signs and special effects jobs when i could get them. it was hard to come up with the money to get an apartment when you have to live day to day, with no refrigerator to save food, and come up with $1,500 first, last, and security. i did eventually, and i don't drink. most do. i was the only one to get out. the week after i moved in,...they started $99 move-in specials!!!! man was i pissed!!!! wow - glad you made it out. thanks! me too! i was wondering for awhile if i would. one really high paying job happened for me. I try and not judge anyone (though I fail at times and admit it). But I have on occassion offered small odd and ends jobs to the homeless and they were more than willing, others declined and some were skilled. Some will use it to move ahead, others for a fix. But I did something, they helped me, I paid them both parties satisfied. good hearts for you!! 
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I agree Dark...EVERYONE has a story & not all of them are about being self-destructive... in fla, i've seen it happen to many, and in new orleans, ive seen it happen even more. nobody wants to be homeless at first, it's just that they loose hope, and they can't get more than a little hand up. the ones who really need it are imbarrassed to ask for handouts, and the panhandlers make it, because they are aggressive and have less of a consience, and they believe somebody owes them, from what i've seen first hand. It's difficult to get out of that situation. How does one find a job with no address or phone? How do they stay healthy and clean up for job interviews? The list goes on.. Then add the hopelessness on top of it. Also, like you mentioned, it's difficult to come up with first and last month's rent for an apartment. It's a viscious cycle. i hope you never even come close to it, my friend
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I gave alot of clothes but not to Salvation Army or the like instead went to soup kitchen and said here you go take what you want.
Suits,pants,jeans,shirts,coats,hats,gloves. Also gave money to someone with a sign that said I won't lie I want a beer. Gave him a six pack and $10. |
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It is difficult not to harden your heart in a lot of cases. Case in point we had a man who came into my place of employment on a daily basis always carrying his homeless sign. Often I would buy him a meal or coffee out of my own pocket until one day he happened to come in with over 20 $20 lottery tickets and at the same time tried to panhandle a meal from another customer. I took the gentleman aside and quietly asked him to leave as well as told him he was banned from our establishment. Cold maybe...heartless not at all in my opinion.
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