Author Topic: Homeless (Read 920 times)

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2005, 01:10:24 PM »

Mac, if it bothers you then you have options. You dont have to ignore her, but you dont have to bring her into your home either. Working security I know (at least on sight) alot of the homeless in the area around where I work. Most of them are where they are by choice. Some have mental problems but are mostly harmless. There are places for them to get help, although those places can become quickly overloaded.

If you really want to help this woman, here's what I would do.

Find out what shelters and aid stations operate in the area. Find out if they are already at capacity (and they probably are). Ask for references for one that ISNT full, or already working beyond it's means. Stop avoiding the woman's eyes and simply nod or say hello. If she wants help, she'll ask for it. If she does, make an offer to help her relocate to an area with an opening in their shelter or aid program. Buy her dinner if thats all she wants. You cant force them to accept more help than they want, and there are plenty of people out there who are ready and willing to help her if she wants it. It doesnt hurt to make sure she knows about them and where they are though. Sometimes bus fare and directions on where to get off are all they need.

Protect yourself and your family, and dont bring strangers home. No matter how good your intentions ........... well, you know the old saying about good intentions, right? There's a fine line between doing a Christian's duty to those less fortunate, and being stupid.

Masherbrum · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2005, 02:33:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunslinger
FILM IT,

Call it the "Total Bum Makeover" you could sell it to a network and make MILLIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe you can star in it one day? "What goes around comes around."

Karaya

midnight Target · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2005, 02:50:10 PM »

My buddy in Oregon did this very thing. Even tried to get the woman a job. It ended badly.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2005, 03:01:19 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Masherbrum
Maybe you can star in it one day? "What goes around comes around."

Karaya

I don't remember ever pissing in your cherios

Delirium · « **Reply #19 on:** December 31, 2005, 03:02:53 PM »

AWMac, sounds like you're getting too close to her... you sound like a good guy, but the amount of ways you could get hurt emotionally and financially is too much.

If you want to help her, arrange for shelter and some employment but make sure she does not stay in your home nor does she know any personal information about you.

I definitely agree with Starof Africa on this one...

BlueJ1 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2005, 03:10:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunslinger
I don't remember ever pissing in your cherios

Sorry that was me. Thought it was something everyone was doing.

Dago · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2005, 03:43:39 PM »

There is a trend here in the responses and advice, and I would strongly suggest you follow the advice. Do not let her know where you live, or even your last name. She will see your desire to help as weakness and will peg you as a soft touch. She will not accept your help and walk away happy. All you can offer her is a day or two of clean, and she will return to what she is now, only slightly more miserably. She will then come after you relentlessly for money, help, food, whatever she thinks she can get from you.

Okay, this may or may not happen just like I said, but it might, and is it something you want to risk?

BlueJ1 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2005, 03:49:21 PM »

Question: Is there a deer involved ?

weaselsan · « **Reply #23 on:** December 31, 2005, 05:14:42 PM »

Coincidentally, there was a story on this mornings local news. A couple met a down and out young man in the Orlando area who claimed to have lost everything in Katrina. After giving him a place to stay, buying him new clothes, feeding him for a week even buying him Christmas presents, he stole the mans wallet then stole their car. As it turned out he was homeless, just not from Katrina.

Hoarach · « **Reply #24 on:** December 31, 2005, 05:43:21 PM »

Just makes you wish that US had something like the Netherlands where they dont have homeless people because they find ways of housing people so theyre not homeless anymore.

Dago · « **Reply #25 on:** December 31, 2005, 08:06:37 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hoarach
Just makes you wish that US had something like the Netherlands where they dont have homeless people because they find ways of housing people so theyre not homeless anymore.

While I like the Netherlands, they also have bums and homeless from all over the world there, drawn by the drugs and tourists to beg from. We dont need that.

LePaul · « **Reply #26 on:** December 31, 2005, 08:50:59 PM »

There's an old Vulcan proverb (well not really, but still...)

No good deed goes unpunished

ROC · « **Reply #27 on:** December 31, 2005, 09:42:56 PM »

When you run for president, someone will drag up the fact that you paid for a hotel room, in cash, incognito, for some woman and wonder why. It will be spun into something perverted.

Almost kidding by the way

Just know that the homeless out there do know where to go to get shelter and food. She may enjoy a hot bath and a room for the night, may very well forget it in the morning, and the only thing gained is the feeling that you did something well. But did it do anything good?

Living on the street and knowing you are there, after a while one would get accustomed to it and adapt your life until something substantial changes it. Does it do harm to hand out a night of relevant luxury only to be returned and Reminded of your condition the next day? Change her life dramatically or walk away, but don't tease. Spend the value of the night on a donation directly to the food closet and feed 20 people for the waste of 1 night's luxury.

Before someone balks at my ignorance of the homeless lifestyle, understand that I have been part of a food closet program to help out locals for nearly 18 years now. I know how much food that 1 room can buy. If you want to do some good, Really do something that counts.

IMHO of course. *EDIT* Not your house though, really, don't go there. Your family is exposed to things you are not considering, Never that.

Hap · « **Reply #28 on:** December 31, 2005, 11:20:29 PM »

Matthew 25. When it gets right down to it, why else are we here.

~~to all, Hap~~

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 01, 2006, 12:30:10 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hap
Matthew 25. When it gets right down to it, why else are we here.

~~to all, Hap~~

Thanks Hap, I was looking for that one earlier and couldnt remember the chapter. Miss having Seagoon around

Quote

33
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34
Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
37
Then the righteous 16 will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
40
And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41
17 Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43
a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'
44
18 Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'
45
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'
46
And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

You dont have to be stupid and bring a possible criminal into your home. Even in the parable of the Good Samaritan, he only took the wounded man to an inn where he could be cared for and left money for his care. He didnt take the guy home with him. But he didnt walk by and turn his head either. People have been made to feel like they should be ashamed that they have money and a home and enough food to eat. Bull***t. But you should be ashamed if you have an opportunity to do SOMETHING and just turn your head and walk on by.