My neighbor claims that 80% of the homeless are either drug addicts or mentally insane and should be institutionalized. I am not quite sure where he got those figures.
My church used to bring meals to the homeless in the park pre-pandemic. I have to admit, I’ve only gone a few times a year myself: when my wife has flu shots to give out.
My job is to act as a lure. I wear my Air Force hat and jacket and the veterans find me. Some do have mental health issues, but I’d hardly diagnose them as insane – they cope remarkably well.
My other church used to have Tuesday night dinners pre-pandemic. We sat and ate and talked with people from all walks of life. I got to know two people who live out of their cars. One of them has a job (minimum wage doesn’t pay the rent) and neither seems insane nor on drugs.
I also got to meet two drug addicts, both of whom have been “clean” for decades and they run a program to help other addicts to stay alive until they decide to seek help. According to them (and the local university’s study) if you can get to an addict when they decide they want to quit (and almost all of them do at some point) success is almost assured. Putting people in rehab when they don’t want to be there doesn’t work.
A lot of their “clients” are white, affluent, white-collar workers.
One thing I did learn about the homeless is that they look after each other. If someone doesn’t show up, they ask after him/her and go looking for them. They also spread the word on things like flu shots, clinics and meals. They share what little they have. They may be the best example of “Love thy neighbor” that I’ve seen in society today.
As I pointed out to my neighbor, we don’t have enough mental health facilities to round up everyone on the street and incarcerate them.
With so much money, so many millionaires, there should be anyone homeless….but that isn’t how it works in today’s society….it’s ME first and that where it stops….
dflak almost 4 years ago
My neighbor claims that 80% of the homeless are either drug addicts or mentally insane and should be institutionalized. I am not quite sure where he got those figures.
My church used to bring meals to the homeless in the park pre-pandemic. I have to admit, I’ve only gone a few times a year myself: when my wife has flu shots to give out.
My job is to act as a lure. I wear my Air Force hat and jacket and the veterans find me. Some do have mental health issues, but I’d hardly diagnose them as insane – they cope remarkably well.
My other church used to have Tuesday night dinners pre-pandemic. We sat and ate and talked with people from all walks of life. I got to know two people who live out of their cars. One of them has a job (minimum wage doesn’t pay the rent) and neither seems insane nor on drugs.
I also got to meet two drug addicts, both of whom have been “clean” for decades and they run a program to help other addicts to stay alive until they decide to seek help. According to them (and the local university’s study) if you can get to an addict when they decide they want to quit (and almost all of them do at some point) success is almost assured. Putting people in rehab when they don’t want to be there doesn’t work.
A lot of their “clients” are white, affluent, white-collar workers.
One thing I did learn about the homeless is that they look after each other. If someone doesn’t show up, they ask after him/her and go looking for them. They also spread the word on things like flu shots, clinics and meals. They share what little they have. They may be the best example of “Love thy neighbor” that I’ve seen in society today.
As I pointed out to my neighbor, we don’t have enough mental health facilities to round up everyone on the street and incarcerate them.
Zebrastripes almost 4 years ago
With so much money, so many millionaires, there should be anyone homeless….but that isn’t how it works in today’s society….it’s ME first and that where it stops….
Nyckname almost 4 years ago
“Always get your hand the award being bestowed. That way they can’t crop you out of the photograph.”
Troglodyte almost 4 years ago
No harm in thinking about it!
spaced man spliff almost 4 years ago
Well, at least Deering allows comments. Why the hell Brooke McEldowny won’t with 9 Chickweed Lane still remains a mystery to me. I welcome any ideas.
WCraft Premium Member almost 4 years ago
And it will keep them from getting rug burns from all the begging for raises and to keep your job.