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Friday, May 15, 2009

Don't Want This To Disappear

Homelessness is not a choice at all.
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 02:16.





The United States government is interested in the homeless problem. As a part of research into this subject, many children were interviewed. When ask the question "what do you want to be when you grow up", many answered with statements like, a doctor, a lawyer, a football player, a fireman, etc., etc. Not one single child wanted to be and set out and studied to be homeless. Wow, what a surprise that might be when people say, "that was their choice."
Homelessness is a core problem in America. "What can I do to help the homeless?" It is estimated that nearly 3.5 million people are homeless in the United States. 1.35 million of these are children (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2004). Contrary to popular belief, many of these people do not choose to be homeless.
Why are people homeless? Everyone is faced with a crisis at some point in their lives. For some, maybe a spouse suffers from mental illness, or has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Others experience job loss, domestic violence, divorce, injury or illness. Many families are fortunate to have the financial resources to deal with these problems. For those that don't, they soon find themselves out of money and homeless. Lack of financial resources is the primary reason people are homeless. For those who lack education, job or social skills, it is extremely hard to extract oneself from the cycle of homelessness.
How can I make a difference? Visiting shelters and volunteering at soup kitchens are one way in which a person can make a difference. Donate food for the homeless to a local food pantry. By C. Jeanne Heida, published Jul 27, 2007
Give clothing to the shelters. Give cash to the shelters. Adopt a homeless family and share your experience strength and hope. Volunteer your time to help the homeless. Take a homeless person fishing, golfing, or just to a movie..........or just down to buy some clothes at the local thrift shop. Or bring a homeless home to shower and feed. Don't say it can't be done. I have done all of that and it not only worked out perfectly, the effort was greatly appreciated.
And most of all pray for those that dislike the homeless. Pray for the egotistical, unhumbled, ignorant people that show no compassion or respect for our veterans, mentally ill, addicted, unfortunate, jobless, homeless. Especially pray for the children of the homeless. Homelessness is a revolving cycle for families. And I will do my part also. And I will remain a friend and advocate to the homeless and work in the solution with each one I can. Pray for the city and county officials to continue providing for the common welfare of all people.
We get a lot of religious viewpoint on the Hive, and that is very good. Pro-actively speaking, what do the religions desire to do about the homeless problem?
"I'm the master of low expectations".
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BS
Submitted by jheaton on Sun, 2008-01-06 02:54.
For some, being homeless is a life style choice. Years ago they were called hobos. Today, they are called "homeless" by some and bums by others. People who choose to live the bum life don't ask for help. Good for them. But for the "bums" who steal and do illegal drugs... don't do it in my neighborhood because you will loose this fight.
If a person is down and out they need to seek out a church or the Salvation Army. There are also social services and if one is a vet, go to the VA.
It is time for some people in this country to toughen up, quit crying and take care of yourself. If that means getting down on your kness and asking for help from the Lord, then good. If it means robbing innocent people, looking for a free lunch and begging.... then screw you!
May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't.- General George Patton Jr
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What Can I Say?
Submitted by Bnic on Sun, 2008-01-06 03:43.

Please "forgive them, for they know not what they say."
Years ago I had frequent encounters with a schizophrenic man, in his early thirties. Some days he would tell me he hadn't eaten in a day or two. Often I would give him something to eat and sit with him. He would tell me of his problems. Frequently he showed evidence of a severe beating and extreme exposure to the elements.
Then he was gone! I never saw him again!
He was gentle, kind, frail and didn't want to live a life on the streets. He didn't use substances or commit crimes. He was mentally ill and didn't receive the attention or help he deserved as a human being, an American woefully in need of help.
Bnic
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Ya, I hear you. What can I say?
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 13:09.
Churches don't house the homeless. The Salvation Army is filled up and one can't get in. Social Services don't house the homeless. As for the Veterans:
Article Finds Veteran's Housing Programs to be Inadequate. Posted: 12/11/2007
First published in the Indiana Law Review in 2005 this article examines the nature and extent of housing assistance provided by the United States government to veterans of its military service. It finds that assistance remarkably limited and inconsistent with our nation's history and rhetoric, providing a sobering corrective for those who wish to believe that public policy in the United States progressively becomes more humane or that national declarations are matched by national performance. The article also considers the reasons and potential cures for these inadequacies and inconsistencies.
Send Us Your Successful Ideas
If you have successfully created a program to provide continual support to homeless veteran service providers in your area, NCHV would appreciate hearing about it. If it is a program that can be replicated, your idea could contribute greatly to the success of other programs that provide hope and restore the dignity of homeless veterans nationwide. Send information about your program to the Communications Director at nchv4@nchv.org, or by mail to NCHV, 333 ½ Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20003-1148.
So just looking at the homeless veterans as a separate group, aren't we really demonstrating thru our lack of effort that we are all prideful for the vet. to fight our war, but once the vet. is beat up, take a hike. It's a me world the past two decades and homeless vet's. have nothing more I can use them for, so just get the hell away. You dirty bum.
Rationalize all you want but, it is totally inexcusable to have homeless in this country today. And especially homeless veterans.
source: http://www.nchv.org/howtohelp.cfm
"I'm the master of low expectations."
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Flip-flop
Submitted by Activist1 on Sun, 2008-01-06 13:22.
Again.
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The Church Teaches
Submitted by LSK49rs on Sun, 2008-01-06 19:20.
and I believe:
2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:
He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
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That is what I call a spiritual principal. That is what I have
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 19:43.
been getting at all this time. It's the way people should live out their life. With that type of attitude. And this is just one area of life's challenges and choices.
Thank you LSK. I was beginning to wonder about the Catholic religion. Thanks for taking a stand for humanity or whatever one wants to call it.
I feel if one is going to have a religion, apply the religion to real life and preach from the heart, so all can relate and understand the message. You have done just that.
"I'm the master of low expectations."
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Many people do not know
Submitted by LSK49rs on Sun, 2008-01-06 20:22.
that the Catholic Church and the other various Christian denominations are often the dam holding back the flood waters of social ills. For instance, the food for the Gospel Mission is prepared by parishoners at St. Joseph's where I attend. The only people who were present in Dafur and are in the Congo for many MANY years were the Churches. We, the membes, are far from perfect, but we do our best to live out the teachings, one day at a time.
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Every last Saturday of the month, I donate my time to a church
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 21:13.
here in town, that does amazing things for all the people in need. This is not the church I attend, but it is a Christian church also and they need my help. It is one of my favorite ways to give. The church has several trucks and the trucks go out to the people. There are no requirements to receive, although there is a limit on clothing and food. All the donations are gathered by the church workers such as myself, taken out to the community and given freely to the people. It is a huge operation and I can tell you the recipients are very grateful. Many will wait in line an hour or two for us to get there. At each stop point (6 or so are going on at the same time), the gospel is preached a little and people young and old alike are asked to join God's family. One of the things I have noticed about the whole operation is that people really do see others care. And I know for sure, some join the helping team and wind up giving away what has been freely given to them. It's something else to see. All set up as a totally not for profit deal. It's a perfect demonstration of God's love working thru his people.
"I'm the master of low expectations."
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On the flip side...
Submitted by AbstrACT on Mon, 2008-01-07 02:15.
We are an individualistic society- as a whole many have abandonded the idea of taking care of our family members in need, and instead take care of ourselves- I think it perpetuates our homeless problem. Most are mentally ill and/or drug addicts. There are some that are incapable of taking care of themselves due to mental illness and of course they need charity and mercy.
It is surprising to find out that many of them WANT to live on the streets. There are so many social programs- anyone who is homeless with a mental illness or drug problem CAN get help, especially if there are children involved. For the most part, the only people who do not choose to be homeless are children.
As someone who lives in the Bay Area (with a large homeless population) and worked Mental Health Crisis for 4 years, I think it has gotten to a point where people expect to be taken care of. On a primitive level, the harsh truth is that it is "survival of the fittest"... that the strong will survive and by comparrison, what we consider "poverty" in this country is not that bad.
What religious institutions and organizations do in charity is amazing, and that's how it should be. I think it is extremely important to have humanitartian involvement in our communities- but it needs to be done in a way that not only encourages, but demands self-reliance and a sense of reciprocity. Because I believe most of the people taking advantage of these charitable and governmental programs are working the system.
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You raise a very interesting point
Submitted by LSK49rs on Mon, 2008-01-07 02:34.
especially in regards to the way our society treats the mentally ill. I remember (because I am old enough!) when there were more pro-active ways in which society could make sure those who were incapable of making productive, safe decisions as to how they would live had a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, some real abuses existed but it seems to me that we went overboard in trying to correct those abuses. Now, because of laws in place, people who really are too sick to be able to live outside of an institution are given the 'right' to refuse treatment. They are so often the victims of crime and drug abuse that it breaks my heart. Yet I sat with many an elderly parent outside a court room who were prevented from 'forcing' adult, mentally ill children off the mean streets of this rather cold, cruel world.
I also agree with you that the children are the horrible victims of this problem. They truly TRULY do not choose their way of life.
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LSKnew
Submitted by jheaton on Fri, 2009-05-15 14:32.
I used your quote;"that the Catholic Church and the other various Christian denominations are often the dam holding back the flood waters of social ills" while discussing this topic with a friend. I just wanted to give credit where it was due!
unclesamsboot.blogspot.com
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