Do You Help the Homeless??

[Loricybin]

there was a choice missing on there, so i chose the closest to it, being the "sometimes" one.

i've spent some time with the homeless of various parts of northern california, mainly fremont and downtown/east side san jose.

they have a lot of strange things to say, (and even stranger things in their pockets) and it's fun to be around them . . . so long as they aren't the kind that are unable to properly communicate in a realistic way.

those crazy ones can be kind of scary.

but i know one bum who lurks about my area, and he actually has a good deal of money, but he likes living the life of a wild animal, and so he sleeps on the streets and takes his shopping cart everywhere with him.

dreadlock jimmy is a strange guy.


but as far as helping them?
that all depends on their intentions and their attitude. their location and methods.

i'd never give to those beggars that fly signs at onramps and major intersections and whatnot, that pisses me off because it's just standing around and getting money thrown at you for pity.

but if they are willing to actually come up to me and directly interact, i consider it.


but then again, i think my veiw is a bit biased, being that i've asked for my share of change . . .

[Racoon]

Originally Posted by Loricybin

i'd never give to those beggars that fly signs at onramps and major intersections and whatnot, that pisses me off because it's just standing around and getting money thrown at you for pity.

Good for you Loricybin - most of that goes towards their next fix.

BUT I disagree on the "Work" aspect of it.
It's not easy to degrade yourself to the point of being at a major intersection "flying" a sign.
It IS Time spent. And despite the Money they Do/Don't always make, there are People who make it difficult by throwing things/yelling bad things etc...

Ever see those Dudes at corners flying the Banners of "Huge Mattress Sale!" or "Car Wash for whatever charity?"

It is work. It is exposure.
Not something you want your friends to see you doing.

[Loricybin]

Originally Posted by Racoon

Good for you Loricybin - most of that goes towards their next fix.

BUT I disagree on the "Work" aspect of it.
It's not easy to degrade yourself to the point of being at a major intersection "flying" a sign.
It IS Time spent. And despite the Money they Do/Don't always make, there are People who make it difficult by throwing things/yelling bad things etc...

Ever see those Dudes at corners flying the Banners of "Huge Mattress Sale!" or "Car Wash for whatever charity?"

It is work. It is exposure.
Not something you want your friends to see you doing.

that's very true, but odds are, if you're trying to raise money for the kind of habits these guys are supporting, you aren't much interested in maintaining the respect of your fellow peers.

people talk just as much as money, but they seem to have much less to say, so to speak.

[InfiniteNow]

When I was a smoker, I used to give them what was left of my pack of cigarettes... that would at least cut out some of the middle nonsense. Many guys (ever notice it's more often males than females standing there... hmmm) were really much happier with that than if I'd given them a buck or two.

[Loricybin]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

When I was a smoker, I used to give them what was left of my pack of cigarettes... that would at least cut out some of the middle nonsense. Many guys (ever notice it's more often males than females standing there... hmmm) were really much happier with that than if I'd given them a buck or two.

oh, true, true,

everybum loves a few free cigarettes.

[Amber]

I volunteer my time and resources, donate things to the poor, and give spare change when I walk by if they play music on the streets. But sometimes I wonder if they are just homeless because they are lazy, so I'm a bit cynical that way.

[IrishEyes]

I have a story about this (of course ).
In the nearest town to us, Fredericksburg, I had the kids with me for some errands. We saw a man with a sign. My Mathew, who has the biggest heart I know, was learning to read. He asked what the sign said, so I read "Disabled Vet. Please Help. Will work for food. God bless you". When I finished, he asked why we weren't helping. "Mom, he needs help. He said he's even willing to work. So WHY aren't we helping". Not able to come up with a suitable answer, I asked what he thought we should do. "Give him a job, Mom". Well, that seemed like a good idea, but WHAT job could I give him? "Let him rake the leaves in our yard, Mom" No way was I inviting a man to our house while nemo wasn't home, especially a homeless person, when it was just me and the kiddos. So I made Mathew call Daddy at work and talk it out with him. Not able to think up a good readon why we couldn't give this man a job, I was asked to turn around and try to get a phone number. I did. Then I called him later and nemo went to pick himup at a friends house on Saturday, and he came and raked leaves at our house. We paid him, and fed him, and talked to him a lot. He normally worked in construction, but got laid off. He also got kicked out of his apartment, so was staying with a friend until he could get another job and a place. He was out on the street with the sign that day after putting in some apps at sites (we checked on this), trying to get money for food. His name was Gene. My son felt like he'd done something to help, and I felt very humbled that it took a child for me to get more involved than my usual yearly blanket/coat drive and holiday dinner at the shelter.
We saw Gene once, a year later. He was coming out of a grocery store. He looked good, and he remembered my son. They had a nice few words. He was working again, and doing ok. He thanked us again. I left feeling like I should be thanking him.

Nemo is just a bleeding heart with a twist though. He works in downtown DC. He's often asked for handouts. I can't count the number of times he's late with no cash. But he doesn't give them money, he takes them to a restaurant and buys them a meal. And he LISTENS to them. Sometimes they refuse when he offers to buy them meals instead of just giving them cash, but that's ok. Really, the guys in my house are pretty awesome, I think.

[Racoon]

Heres a picture I took today of my homeless buddy Shaun. He said it was ok to photo him, and I brought him down some stuff..
However, he does quite well for himself on occasions.

The worst part is, there are many other homeless who aren't as mannered and sophisticated, and cause him problems by presence in gatherings and locality...

Rack Shaun! a good homeless dude.



PS.. sorry about the photo size. AND, Turtle should know this intersection

[HappytheStripper]

Yup .. I help the homeless kids .. mostly teenagers when they have nowhere else to go .. its kind of liberating to help another in need ..

Love Ashley

[Mercedes Benzene]

Do I personally help the homeless? Not usually. I've volunteered in soup kitchens before.
My parents on the other hand do a lot. They donate thousands anually to a local Catholic homeless shelter/soup kitchen. It makes me feel good to know that my parents care so much, and I only hope to match their generosity when I am able to.