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Homelessness In America

petejm043petejm043 Posts: 156
edited December 2011 in A Moving Train
For starters, I hope I am posting this in the right place. I know this time of year there is a lot of stuff going on. But please take the time to think of the plight of those that are less fortunate and actually don’t have a roof over their head or food. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 31 out of 50 states have seen an increase in homeless individuals and families. Just wanted to share this. Something to think of about.
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  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,431
    petejm043 wrote:
    For starters, I hope I am posting this in the right place. I know this time of year there is a lot of stuff going on. But please take the time to think of the plight of those that are less fortunate and actually don’t have a roof over their head or food. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 31 out of 50 states have seen an increase in homeless individuals and families. Just wanted to share this. Something to think of about.

    So true! Thanks for posting this.

    It's mighty cold out there and lots of people can use some help this time of year. If you don't like giving money to people with cardboard signs at the stop sign or light you can always carry some extra food up front and pass it along. I saw a guy with a cardboard sign and a dog sitting next to him. I'm going to keep a can of dog food under the seat along with a few non-perishables for the next time.

    Most of our communities have organizations and churches that feed the homeless. They can always use our help. I donate to Loaves and Fishes every year. I'm forever indebted to them for feeding me a few times when I was living in my vehicle several years ago when I was down on my luck. Giving back always feels good.
    "Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!"
    -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"

    "Try to not spook the horse."
    -Neil Young













  • usamamasan1usamamasan1 Posts: 4,695
    A stop sign beggar was provided with a granola bar and a bottle of water and did not accept it. Instead, I was given fouled language and ranting with my family in the car.He was probably into drugs.
    (btw, the "homeless guy" with the dog on la cienega and la tiera has a fucking cell phone, many that have good begging locations do in LA)


    Today, when I took my boy to the farmers market, there was a nice man with his daughter using the bell rig for the salvation army. Gave my boy a bill and told him before we approached "please put this in the bucket so that someone else can have a nice holiday like you want"

    It made me feel good, it made my boy feel good, it made the people requesting donations feel good. I hope at least 90% of "the bill" goes to the end user and not the "organization".

    Give charity with care. This is why I prefer the government not be involved. They know not how to handle shit without waste and the end user getting fuck all.


    Anyway, cheers.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,431
    usamamasan1 wrote:
    A stop sign beggar was provided with a granola bar and a bottle of water and did not accept it. Instead, I was given fouled language and ranting with my family in the car.He was probably into drugs.
    (btw, the "homeless guy" with the dog on la cienega and la tiera has a fucking cell phone, many that have good begging locations do in LA)

    Jesus, man, do have to dis every post made that indicates someone's attempt to be helpful? I'm sorry your "sign beggar" yelled at you but that kind of thing rarely happens. I've never been shown anything but gratitude when I've helped and I've never seen anyone with a cardboard sign talking on a cell phone others and for you to make this kind of post just looks like an attempt to dismiss acts of kindness.

    Merry fucking Christmas... :x
    "Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!"
    -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"

    "Try to not spook the horse."
    -Neil Young













  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,431
    P.S. I hate getting mad and I rarely do. I'm giving myself a time out. Fuck it.
    "Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!"
    -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"

    "Try to not spook the horse."
    -Neil Young













  • WaveCameCrashinWaveCameCrashin Posts: 2,929
    I've been helping out one guy with what I can.

    Gave him a
    sleeping bag
    Thermal underware
    Hiking boots
    Some smart wool socks
    Food
    A few shirts and a fleece..
    I wish I could help all of them. Ive been homeless and on the street for a short period of time and it fucking sucks.
  • usamamasan1usamamasan1 Posts: 4,695
    brianlux wrote:
    P.S. I hate getting mad and I rarely do. I'm giving myself a time out. Fuck it.
    Good idea.

    Not sure why you got so bent. I just gave personal experience living in LA. Tell you what, I could probably make $30k +/year begging at certain intersections. Shit, maybe 60k if I brought my toddler and infant with me.
    This is why I brought the dog comment up and the guy with the cell phone. It's real. So is the beggar at the intersection of LaBrea and Edgewood, he has a fucking cell phone.

    Your comment about giving to churches and the fish place makes sense. They can probably help people who aren't scamming. Settle down. I am all for helping people down on their luck. I just think when the government gets involved it gets taken advantage of and the people who really need it get FUCKED because people scam.

    So, all I say is give back but do so with caution and direction.

    Like wavecamecrashin
  • usamamasan1usamamasan1 Posts: 4,695
    petejm043 wrote:
    According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 31 out of 50 states have seen an increase in homeless individuals and families

    I would think it more like 50 of 50 states would have seen an increase in homeless individuals/families with the current and consistent high unemployment rate and foreclose stats as of late...

    No time like now to put America back to work. We can do this!

    Give a man a fish; feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; feed him for a lifetime
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    usamamasan1 wrote:
    Give a man a fish; feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; feed him for a lifetime

    And if there are no fish in the sea, or no boats to be had, then the poor bastard will starve anyway.
  • usamamasan1usamamasan1 Posts: 4,695
    Why do you assume the homeless man comes from an unmarried woman?
  • conmanconman Posts: 7,493
    i don't usually post here but i support this... i've always given money/food to homeless people

    during the holidays or not, if someone is need, i help them



    is that a problem for people?
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    brianlux wrote:
    I'm going to keep a can of dog food under the seat along with a few non-perishables for the next time.

    :thumbup:
    Just be sure to keep a can opener too! :)
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    brianlux wrote:
    usamamasan1 wrote:
    A stop sign beggar was provided with a granola bar and a bottle of water and did not accept it. Instead, I was given fouled language and ranting with my family in the car.He was probably into drugs.
    (btw, the "homeless guy" with the dog on la cienega and la tiera has a fucking cell phone, many that have good begging locations do in LA)

    Jesus, man, do have to dis every post made that indicates someone's attempt to be helpful? I'm sorry your "sign beggar" yelled at you but that kind of thing rarely happens. I've never been shown anything but gratitude when I've helped and I've never seen anyone with a cardboard sign talking on a cell phone others and for you to make this kind of post just looks like an attempt to dismiss acts of kindness.

    Merry fucking Christmas... :x

    I wholeheartedly agree with you here, Brian. That kind of attitude is exactly why we have homeless people in the wealthiest nation in the world. It's absolutely shameful!

    And, for the record... What the fuck is wrong with a homeless guy having a cell phone?!? It doesn't mean he's scamming anyone. None of us have the slightest fucking idea why/how that guy has a cell phone - and it's none of our damn business either. The only reason people make such comments is to pass judgement on other people. Fucking pisses me off - and this is not the thread for it. :x

    (Maybe the guy's family got him a cell phone so they can keep track of him. After all, if there's anyone who needs a cell phone, it's a homeless guy. How else is his family - or potential employers - supposed to reach him? His land line? :roll: )
  • -Emma--Emma- Posts: 2,864
    My dad was in America recently, and he met quite a few homeless people during his travels. One man asked my dad how he was, and my dad said "as good as gold" (which is a saying that my dad often says). The homeless man told my dad "everything tarnishes". I thought that was pretty damn insightful!

    Before he left America my dad also tried to give another homeless man (who he saw going through the garbage) a bag full of coins (probably $10-$15) and the man wouldn't accept them. My dad was leaving America shortly after, so he obviously had no use for the coins.
    PJ: Sydney, 11th February 2003 ♥ Sydney, 26th January 2014 ♥ EV: Sydney, 20th March 2011 ♥ EV: Perth, 7th February 2014 ♥ EV: Perth, 8th February 2014 ♥ EV: Sydney, 11th February 2014 ♥ EV: Sydney, 12th February 2014 ♥ EV: Sydney, 13th February 2014 ♥ EV: Brisbane, 22nd February 2014 ♥ EV: Brisbane, 23rd February 2014 ♥ EV: Brisbane, 25th February 2014 ♥

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  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,379
    _ wrote:
    brianlux wrote:
    usamamasan1 wrote:
    A stop sign beggar was provided with a granola bar and a bottle of water and did not accept it. Instead, I was given fouled language and ranting with my family in the car.He was probably into drugs.
    (btw, the "homeless guy" with the dog on la cienega and la tiera has a fucking cell phone, many that have good begging locations do in LA)

    Jesus, man, do have to dis every post made that indicates someone's attempt to be helpful? I'm sorry your "sign beggar" yelled at you but that kind of thing rarely happens. I've never been shown anything but gratitude when I've helped and I've never seen anyone with a cardboard sign talking on a cell phone others and for you to make this kind of post just looks like an attempt to dismiss acts of kindness.

    Merry fucking Christmas... :x
    wholeheartedly agree with you here, Brian. That kind of attitude is exactly why we have homeless people in the wealthiest nation in the world. It's absolutely shameful!

    And, for the record... What the fuck is wrong with a homeless guy having a cell phone?!? It doesn't mean he's scamming anyone. None of us have the slightest fucking idea why/how that guy has a cell phone - and it's none of our damn business either. The only reason people make such comments is to pass judgement on other people. Fucking pisses me off - and this is not the thread for it. :x

    (Maybe the guy's family got him a cell phone so they can keep track of him. After all, if there's anyone who needs a cell phone, it's a homeless guy. How else is his family - or potential employers - supposed to reach him? His land line? :roll: )




    Often the family will buy a cell phone for a homeless person so they can be located by GPS. Please do not judge homeless people, you do not know their entire history.

    Please help out the less fortunate.
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    Additionally, many homeless people are mentally ill. Most mentally ill people don't yell at strangers, but occasionally some do (whether homeless or not). That doesn't mean this is an accurate or appropriate way to portray homeless people. It doesn't mean they're on drugs. And it doesn't mean they don't still need our help.
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
    what about homeless vets? is there anything more tragic than that?

    these are the people that our country should be taking care of the most. they get shipped off to a foreign land, witness some shit that none of us could even imagaine, get out, are traumatized mentally, can not find work, end up divorced, and need help for their mental illness/trauma. instead they end up living on the streets in the country that they risked their lives to defend.

    everyone talks about "support the troops", but that should mean especially AFTER they come home and get out.

    i love how the "personal responsibility" people always ignore the homeless vets...

    and yes, i give money to homeless people every chance i get. nobody knows their story, nobody knows how or why they are in the situation that they are, yet people are willing to judge them for their situation. and that is not cool... if i am doing a little better i want to help that person because a rising tide lifts all boats... also every 6 months i donate clothes and items to the disabled vets..
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    gimmesometruth27 wrote:
    what about homeless vets? is there anything more tragic than that?

    these are the people that our country should be taking care of the most. they get shipped off to a foreign land, witness some shit that none of us could even imagaine, get out, are traumatized mentally, can not find work, end up divorced, and need help for their mental illness/trauma. instead they end up living on the streets in the country that they risked their lives to defend.

    everyone talks about "support the troops", but that should mean especially AFTER they come home and get out.

    i love how the "personal responsibility" people always ignore the homeless vets...

    and yes, i give money to homeless people every chance i get. nobody knows their story, nobody knows how or why they are in the situation that they are, yet people are willing to judge them for their situation. and that is not cool... if i am doing a little better i want to help that person because a rising tide lifts all boats... also every 6 months i donate clothes and items to the disabled vets..

    :thumbup:

    Though please excuse the cheesy grin on this smiley. A thumbs-up shouldn't always be accompanied by a silly smirk. A smiley representing a serious nod of approval would be more appropriate.

    Or maybe I'm just being a bit anal? :think:


    Or drunk :P
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    brianlux wrote:
    petejm043 wrote:
    For starters, I hope I am posting this in the right place. I know this time of year there is a lot of stuff going on. But please take the time to think of the plight of those that are less fortunate and actually don’t have a roof over their head or food. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 31 out of 50 states have seen an increase in homeless individuals and families. Just wanted to share this. Something to think of about.

    So true! Thanks for posting this.

    It's mighty cold out there and lots of people can use some help this time of year. If you don't like giving money to people with cardboard signs at the stop sign or light you can always carry some extra food up front and pass it along. I saw a guy with a cardboard sign and a dog sitting next to him. I'm going to keep a can of dog food under the seat along with a few non-perishables for the next time.

    That's what I like to do rather than giving money. And I always clean out my cabinets this time of year when school and the local food pantry is looking to give food to the needy. And I don't believe in garage sales. When I have stuff I no longer need, I try to give it away to whomever needs it. There's no sense in looking for a return for stuff you don't want.
  • blueandwhiteblueandwhite Posts: 662
    gimmesometruth27 wrote:

    everyone talks about "support the troops", but that should mean especially AFTER they come home and get out.

    i love how the "personal responsibility" people always ignore the homeless vets...

    I hate this saying because it seems to be all talk and no action. The mantra of many is support the war, forget the troops.
  • photogirllizphotogirlliz Posts: 2,491
    usamamasan1 wrote:
    btw, the "homeless guy" with the dog on la cienega and la tiera has a fucking cell phone
    There are actually several assistance programs that help low-income people (including the homeless) get cell phones. For many, these phones are they only viable way they can reach out to potential employers in order to secure jobs that allow them to turn their situation around. While we lump all homeless people under the umbrella category of 'homeless,' (although we do try to create subcategories between sheltered homeless, unsheltered homeless, doubled-up homeless, etc...) we need to realize that there isn't just one story or explanation as to why they are homeless or how they got there. Homelessness is the result of larger societal issues (i.e.: domestic violence, lack of jobs and economic security, deinstitutionalization, fraying of family units, etc...). That being said, we shouldn't be so quick to judge when we know so little about the individual and their specific situation.
    "I am myself...like you, somehow."
  • CAVSTARR313CAVSTARR313 Posts: 8,756
    I will always give somebody food,a cigarette, or clothing.. but never money.. Just because I can not control what they spend it on (usually drugs or booze).. I have actually had people beg, claiming they were starving. and when I return 5 minutes later with a sandwich, they get pissed that I wouldn't just give them the money.. WTF??
    None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe that they are free.
    Abrn Hlls '98 - Clarkston 2 '03 - Grd Rpds '06 - Abrn Hlls '06 - Clvd '10 - PJ20 - Berlin 1+2 '12 - Wrigley '13 - Pitt '13- buff '13- Philly 1+2 '13 - Seattle '13
  • petejm043petejm043 Posts: 156
    No one sets out to be homeless. Most individuals end up this way because alcohol, drugs, mental issues, etc..The most important thing to remember is that they are human beings just like us. No one says to give them money, but donating clothing or volunteering at an organization will be a great benefit. Also, there lots of families in America that are now homeless because the loss of a job. Many of these families have children who are also suffering. This time of year children look forward to see what gifts they receive. Many homeless children will wake up that day with nothing. How about trying to give those kids and their families something to look forward to.
  • __ Posts: 6,651
    Cavstarr313 wrote:
    I will always give somebody food,a cigarette, or clothing.. but never money.. Just because I can not control what they spend it on (usually drugs or booze).. I have actually had people beg, claiming they were starving. and when I return 5 minutes later with a sandwich, they get pissed that I wouldn't just give them the money.. WTF??

    You'll give them a cigarette but don't want them to buy alcohol?

    I used to worry that the people I gave money to would spend it on alcohol, but then one day I realized: If I were homeless, I'd sure need a drink! If I, as a non-homeless person, have had a shit day and am broke, I can usually count on someone to buy me a drink. Now I give my money freely without worrying about - and sometimes I just take homeless people to bars and buy them a few rounds.
  • CAVSTARR313CAVSTARR313 Posts: 8,756
    _ wrote:
    Cavstarr313 wrote:
    I will always give somebody food,a cigarette, or clothing.. but never money.. Just because I can not control what they spend it on (usually drugs or booze).. I have actually had people beg, claiming they were starving. and when I return 5 minutes later with a sandwich, they get pissed that I wouldn't just give them the money.. WTF??

    You'll give them a cigarette but don't want them to buy alcohol?

    I used to worry that the people I gave money to would spend it on alcohol, but then one day I realized: If I were homeless, I'd sure need a drink! If I, as a non-homeless person, have had a shit day and am broke, I can usually count on someone to buy me a drink. Now I give my money freely without worrying about - and sometimes I just take homeless people to bars and buy them a few rounds.
    being addicted to cigarettes has probably never forced someone into poverty.. alcoholism most certainly has...

    I am not rich, but I do OK for myself.. and if a have a surplus of food, clothing, or tobacco I will gladly give it..

    I don't believe a cigarette will further fuel there situation..
    None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe that they are free.
    Abrn Hlls '98 - Clarkston 2 '03 - Grd Rpds '06 - Abrn Hlls '06 - Clvd '10 - PJ20 - Berlin 1+2 '12 - Wrigley '13 - Pitt '13- buff '13- Philly 1+2 '13 - Seattle '13
  • 7RayZ7RayZ Posts: 488
    Average age of a homeless person is 9 in America. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. The stereotypes of homeless persons is incorrect.
  • CAVSTARR313CAVSTARR313 Posts: 8,756
    7RayZ wrote:
    Average age of a homeless person is 9 in America. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. The stereotypes of homeless persons is incorrect.
    Oh really? when I go downtown for a concert or a Tiger's game I have never been approached by a 9 year old asking for money.. that would certainly make me bend my policy, but it has never happened..
    Its always an older man or woman, some of whom are recognizable from season to season, and make you wonder what they are actually doing to better their situation.. stereotypes..
    None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe that they are free.
    Abrn Hlls '98 - Clarkston 2 '03 - Grd Rpds '06 - Abrn Hlls '06 - Clvd '10 - PJ20 - Berlin 1+2 '12 - Wrigley '13 - Pitt '13- buff '13- Philly 1+2 '13 - Seattle '13
  • petejm043petejm043 Posts: 156
    Cavstarr313 wrote:
    7RayZ wrote:
    Average age of a homeless person is 9 in America. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. The stereotypes of homeless persons is incorrect.
    Oh really? when I go downtown for a concert or a Tiger's game I have never been approached by a 9 year old asking for money.. that would certainly make me bend my policy, but it has never happened..
    Its always an older man or woman, some of whom are recognizable from season to season, and make you wonder what they are actually doing to better their situation.. stereotypes..

    The average age of 9 came from a report released by the Coalition for the Homeless a few years ago. There are approximately 16 million childern in the United States living in poverty and many of these children are homeless.
  • 7RayZ7RayZ Posts: 488
    Thank you. Children are the faceless and voiceless victims of the crime called poverty.
  • usamamasan1usamamasan1 Posts: 4,695
    photogirlliz wrote:
    usamamasan1 wrote:
    btw, the "homeless guy" with the dog on la cienega and la tiera has a fucking cell phone
    There are actually several assistance programs that help low-income people (including the homeless) get cell phones. For many, these phones are they only viable way they can reach out to potential employers in order to secure jobs that allow them to turn their situation around. While we lump all homeless people under the umbrella category of 'homeless,' (although we do try to create subcategories between sheltered homeless, unsheltered homeless, doubled-up homeless, etc...) we need to realize that there isn't just one story or explanation as to why they are homeless or how they got there. Homelessness is the result of larger societal issues (i.e.: domestic violence, lack of jobs and economic security, deinstitutionalization, fraying of family units, etc...). That being said, we shouldn't be so quick to judge when we know so little about the individual and their specific situation.


    Well, I know this guy has been on the same fucking stoop for at least 7 years and it must be a profitable stoop! I know this because I go to work and for the last 7 years at this job he has the same begging station. So, for those of you on this thread that say I shouldn't or can't judge, back up and recognize that yes I can.

    YES WE CAN!

    "they have a cell phone to get a job"

    Sweet jeebus. Seriously? I am talking about career beggars. Read my posts. I got no problem helping people that want to help themselves.

    I would like to also point out that many people that are homeless are dumb and lazy. Not most. But that goes to my point on all my posts in THIS thread.

    Give charity with care and don't be blind...
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    usamamasan1 wrote:
    I would like to also point out that many people that are homeless are dumb and lazy.

    There are also many wealthy people who are dumb and lazy.

    George W Bush is dumb and lazy. In his first year in office he was on vacation for 42% of the time. And his month-long stay at his ranch in Crawford in 2001 was the longest presidential vacation in 32 years. All in all, he spent a third of his two terms as President on vacation.

    Good job he had the backing of his rich criminal Daddy to help him through life.

    Luck and circumstance really do deserve to be admired. :roll:
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