The homeless

[ItBeThatWay27]

What are your views on the homeless people of the world? Do you want them to "get a job" or does your heart wonder what terrible event put them in this jeopardy? Has your knowledge of Jewel's experiences with being homeless changed your views at all? Do you feel like these people aren't worth as much as Jewel, or that she's better than them because she has talent? Do you feel the need to want to help people like this?
Anybody care to share their views and opinions?? Please, let's talk about it.

[Little Bird]

I won't go into detail but my family almost ended up homeless at one point. It was not our fault and only through some very helpful family members, were we able to save our home. We were and still are good people but dread the thought of where we would be if those family members hadn't stepped in to help.

Jewel herself was homeless at one point, as we all know. In a lot of ways, it made her stronger and it has shaped a lot of what she is today. But she took the right path. She didn't go down the route of alcohol and drugs that unfortunately, so many homeless people find solace in. It is through lack of support for homeless people that leads them down this rocky road.

In the end though, with support, they can only help themselves and many people, actually don't want to be saved. It is tragic but something we can't control.

Good topic Gary!

[ItBeThatWay27]

I have always felt sad towards homeless people, but after hearing Jewel's story or stories I think it has changed my view to add a little more empathy. Well mainly now I hear people say something about homeless people or bathing in the sink at Denny's and instead of the usual routine of judgement, I feel almost humanized and connected with them. Another reason that Jewel is so great, making me have understanding and compasion on yet another issue..
But really I used to see people bathing in restrooms and it just kind of made me sick, now I am not sure how to really react, but it does make me wonder what their story is....

[Eibhlin]

Well, I have met some that are just homeless becuase they choose to be, and I used to think, well why don't they just get a job until we were in a situation where we nearly lost our house, have had to be bailed out by some very generous relatives, and when Joe tried and tried but no one would hire him, and all that happy crap. I try not to judge now, my first thought is well, they hit alot of rough times, but in some cases like everywhere else, some are like that because they chose not to do something else.

I fight against my cynical nature and try not to assume the worst though.

[ItBeThatWay27]

I recently met this man who (and I am unfamiliar with the story, it was told to me by my friend who knows this guy) lost his house and all for some legal something or other where his own sister screwed him over and now he is homeless and sleeps behind the local movie theater at night.
I met the guy at the bookstore when I was meeting my friend and I didn't know he was homeless until later but he just seemed sort of out of his mind, it really creeped me out. I don't even know why I am writing about this.. but I don't know anything about the guy really. I just thought he was some guy sitting around at the bookstore, he didn't look homeless or anything..

[007]

We shhare similarties in opinions. In the retrospect of seeing homeless peopl, you have to ask yourself: DId you put them in their position? and usually the answer is 'no'. Is it sad, yes, but guess whhat, their are 30 million people out there in the world without homes.

So, what are you going to do? join the Homeless helpers league, Saves the Whales.

[ItBeThatWay27]

dude do you pay attention to Jewel's lyrics in the least?

[never.alone]

yea so we can completely fix homeless people but theres nothing wrong with worrying about it
whos gonna worry about them if they have no one else to do it??
I believe you should help them out no matter what
i dont care if they choose it or not
someday they will realize it was the wrong decision but "in the end only kindness matters"

[007]

Yes, "dude", I pay attention to Jewel's lyrics, but I also know that I alone, cannot change the world, I'M NOT GHANDI, OR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. I'm a man who has enough on his plate to stuff down than to worry about constatnly helping everyone else.

[007]

Like I said, no one person can change the world, even Ghandi or King didn't. They had followers. I have enough to worry about myself DoesJewel's music fascinate me, "Yes", but it cannot change me, it has changed part of my humanity, but when you dip your foot in the real world, rmember that no one else will catch you. Michael Stone put it best whhen he said, staring down at the metropolis of people wandering the London streeets, "Look at them. You can be just like them, doing your own grind every day, same things in and out. They're crying out for footsoldiers down thhere. Go and join them, for all I care. But remember thihs, if you don't look out for yourself, who else will?"

[last_dance_rodeo]

Wow there are some very interesting view points to say the least. I've always felt sad for them. I know some of them choose to be homeless but most of them were put there because of something terrible that happened to them. When I lived in Sioux Falls people were complaining that they were moving the homeless shelter to another neighborhood. People were upset because their property value would go down. WHo cares? I was upset by this. It was crazy to see in one place the richest people in the city walking by them going to their offices and yet here are the poorest people int he same place. It's very strange. I will always feel sad for them and I hope and pray for them that something extraordinary will take place in their lives to help them get out of the mess they are in.

[Eibhlin]

Well, Jones, I can understand your perspective on things, and to some degree agree with it and have certainly been there. we all have our own lives to worry about, our own families to take care of etc, but finding the time to atleast think about others is part of what binds us together as humans too. There should be some balance to it you know? I wouldn't go and drive my family into the poor house to help those who are homeless, but everybody's good enough for some change...as Live would say.

Aaaahh, there are too many perspectives to this, and eventually it all leads around to how much help is too much and leads to enabling. There is the kicker, help help help but don't be a crutch.

[007]

I agree with Last Dance Rodeo's point, I don't want to see them homeless, but I'm not going to drive myself to their position trying to help them. As Kiera said, a large portion turn to drugs and alcohol as their 'solace' (good word, BTW), and they don't care or want to get out. DO I want the world to have homeless individualists? No, but I also recognize that i cannot change that.

PO1 Jones

[strengths.with.faults]

It's amazing how people don't believe in anything anymore. We can change this world for the better. We were put here to do just that. If all you do is simply say a prayer for them, then you are planting a seed in their lives without them even knowing it.

[awiste]

Having worked as a Case Manager in a homeless shelter, I have first hand knowledge of a lot of the issues they face. In my experience, untreated mental health issues is a major major cause for homelessness. Also, addiction--which often (but not always) stems from mental health issues or a past filled with trauma and abuse. I have also worked with a lot of families that just don't have support that they need, whether it be from their families or the government (and I don't mean welfare...) Think of someone with a major disability... most of the SSDI (social security disability income) amounts I have seen for families are around $600-$700 a month. That might cover their rent... but what about the rest of their daily living expenses? Even if they can work part time there are tight restrictions on the amount they can make. If they make anymore, they lose their SSDI. Also every single person I have worked with that has applied for SSDI has been turned down at least the first time--it is a loooong and complicated process. Then there is the issue of "why don't they just get a job." Well, what if they don't have a social security card for some reason? Or a photo ID? Can't get a (legit) job without those. Those cost money and you need one to get the other. Its a bit of a catch 22. And now (because of illegal immigration), the gov. is trying to pass laws requiring a person to have two id's to get a SS card. It makes it very difficult. Whew! Despite all these issues facing the homeless, I do agree that there are people that are not willing to take the steps needed to get through life successfully. I personally feel like if I can help just one person or one family, then I am fulfilled. That is what I want in life... make life better for at least one person. If I can help more than that, then thats great. Sorry for the long post... thats just my two cents worth.

[007]

I dig what you're saying.

[Eibhlin]

Alli, I think you really hit it right on the head. Thanks for stating it so clearly!

[ItBeThatWay27]

Well Mr "Jones" this isn't the right thread but remember your thread about your family thinking you are gay since you listen to Jewel so much? I'll use this as an example because right there as a human I had some empathy for you with your issue. Isn't that what you wanted by posting that thread? Yeah I did, even though I am not the one "causing" your family to call you gay. That is just plain brotherhood. But have no fear, I don't ampathize for you anymore. Since it's not "my problem" that everyone thinks you are gay, I won't bother to feel sorry for you.

Back on topic, atwiste, I think you did a superb job of giving an educated opinion from someone who has really delt with this issue. I commend you.

[007]

Cute! Very Cute!

[awiste]

Yeah... homelessness is just such a complicated issue. I would love to see more funding going toward mental health and addiction rehabilitation. I think if we put more effort there, we would see an improvement many other areas of our society. Lets try to change the world one step at a time. It may take years and even generations but I believe it can be done.

[Eibhlin]

ya, it's hard when you invest your time in someone and they just go on down the path they were on when you started trying to help them. I was in a situation where we let someone live with us that we were trying to help out of a bad situation. The person not only didn't appreciate a thing we did but told everyone they worked with nasty stuff about us, and landed right in the situation we predicted would happen if they didn't wise up and change. So, anger and even bitterness is only a natural emotion in response to that, and I cannot foresee a situation or circumstance in which I would EVER try to help that person again. It's not my life to live, so I no longer concern myself with it. I feel callous even saying that, but I know my limit when it comes to that situation. Soooo, anyways...

Rehab and help with the mental health issues would be terrific, unfortunately with atleast some of the people I have known, they refuse the help they need, so what's to be done there? Gah, I am on a pretty negative spin right now, so I will just let this alone for the time being.

[awiste]

ya, it's hard when you invest your time in someone and they just go on down the path they were on when you started trying to help them. I was in a situation where we let someone live with us that we were trying to help out of a bad situation. The person not only didn't appreciate a thing we did but told everyone they worked with nasty stuff about us, and landed right in the situation we predicted would happen if they didn't wise up and change. So, anger and even bitterness is only a natural emotion in response to that, and I cannot foresee a situation or circumstance in which I would EVER try to help that person again. It's not my life to live, so I no longer concern myself with it. I feel callous even saying that, but I know my limit when it comes to that situation. Soooo, anyways...

Rehab and help with the mental health issues would be terrific, unfortunately with atleast some of the people I have known, they refuse the help they need, so what's to be done there? Gah, I am on a pretty negative spin right now, so I will just let this alone for the time being.

I hear what you are saying. There are a lot of people out there that are not able or willing to get the help they need. Despite repeated trip to jail, the work house, and court ordered rehab, my cousin died last month because he crashed his car while driving North in the South bound lanes of the interstate--just after bar close... ugh.

[motoslam]

i think homeless people are given a bad reputation. people dont realize that they were normal people too before they ran into the dilemma that made them homeless. Theres probably even been rich people who have been been forced to be homeless due to depts or something so i dont think its cool how people cud just point a finger and judge a homeless person without even knowing their story. thats why imma do my part and volunteer at a food bank sometime. unfortunatley its not just from the goodness of heart, i gotta get 40 hours of community service or else i cant graduate. what a stupid rule.

[ItBeThatWay27]

I've been thinking on this some more. Everyone here at this point has valid things to say about this issue and this is where I wanted this topic to go. I like when people's opinions have some depth and a backbone, not just hot air. I want to add that I don't think it's really about one person changing the world. Yeah maybe that's not possible. You can't change THE world, but you can change SOMEONE'S world. And if nothing else, it helps build on your own character and humanity. We've all had someone help us out when we needed it (not necessarily with homelessness) but that person probly changed your life for the better and gave you a little slice of hope. And I think that's what it's about, not necessarily organizing a huge coalition for a world-wide sweep of kindess..

[Eibhlin]

in the words of Jethro Tull:

"No do-good overkill, we must teach them to be still more independent"

I love Baker St. Muse