Who gave money to a homeless person over this holiday?

To understand you need to get on the same level. The best way to do this is to work with the homeless. Most homeless men can be classified into categories:

1) Drug and Alcohol addicts - This makes up most of the panhandlers.

2) Mental - Back in the early 70s, the politicians decided it was cruel to keep these folks locked up indefinately so they released them all and the families that could not/would not take care of them - those became homeless. I disagree with the politicians - They need to be taken care of at the governments expense. Homelessness is more cruel than being taken care of even if they are not "free". ps - Most of these folks survive from non-panhandling means - eating garbage, "theft", etc.

3) Total Freedom - They don't want to work because they don't want anyone to tell them what to do, when to get up, etc. These folks make up the other part of panhandlers.

Most homeless women can be classified into:

1) Drug and Alcohol addicts - This makes up most of the panhandlers.

2) Mental - See the men - though I haven't met too many in this category - strange huh?

3) Domestic Abuse. These folks usually find there way to shelters rather quickly.

Some other observations:

Shelters are many times not full (except on the coldest nights) because there are rules and they would rather be "free" than obey the rules (no drugs, alcohol or weapons).

Food kitchens never run out of food. Most homeless don't go here because of their rules (no drugs, alcohol or weapons).

Also, there are programs where they can get shelter and jobs - guaranteed. The catch? No drugs or alchol and they do drug test. Any infraction will expell them from the program. It is the one and only way out of homelessness that I know of as most places will not employ a person who does not have an address.

If you really want to help long term - volunteer your time. And if you really want your heart strings tugged - volunteer your time and money with the Women's and Family shelter. I'm not saying others aren't, but the truely innocent are the children. Get a group of folks together and take the kids to the zoo or an Astros game. It gets them out of the shelter and have a little childhood fun. Ask the shelters what you can do.

It's not always true but the ones that want help and have the faculties are in the shelters. Help them that want the help to fix the problem. Most of the others don't have a problem with the way they live. Ask them.

 

I must be a cold-hearted SOB, but I have never given money to a pan handler.
I know too many people that work too hard (multiple low paying jobs) that sacrifice so they can support themselves and their families.

I do give to reputable charities (I clean out my closet twice a year and make a trip to goodwill), I also give cash from my paycheck directly to the united way. In a more selfish way I do play in a couple golf tournaments where the proceeds go to kids in camp, and attenda clay shooting even where proceeds goto Children's hospital.

But no way do I give my money to someone on the street. Sure they could use the money but I would bet 50% of the money goes to drugs/alcohol/cigarettes.

I would rather my money goes to the right causes (treatment, housing, food, clothing) than to possibly going to make the matter worse (feeding an addiction and encouraging people to beg rahter than to get help).

Again I know my opinion is not popular but just my $.02

 

Wow you cheap b*stard. I am suprised you willingly separated from your 2 cents.



Nah. I'm just kidding. I just always wanted to use that line.

 

Is that a thread Des Autels?

 

What?