Help for the Homeless

It's been one of those days that everyone experiences at least once a year. Everything that could go wrong did starting with the alarm clock and ending with the time clock. Transportation was less than reliable, you got yelled at for something you did not do, a pigeon decided to say hello from above and that's within the first hour. Once you punch out for the day (and possibly race to the nearest happy hour), you see them. They definitely see you in all your angst, frustration and the need to be anywhere but where you are standing at that moment. To look at them - desperate, eager and dismissible. Yet, this time you can see that they are aware of their surroundings as well as their situation and not under the influence of any chemicals. They can also notice that you are a hardworking individual who has had an even harder day and in a way, want the exact day that you had because they will be compensated. They may think to themselves, 'Looks like this one will chew off my head in one bite, maybe next time'. You want to help because in today's economy, by some awful fluke - that could be you. Then come the series of questions that we all ask ourselves in that situation, 'Will they use my two dollars to go get a hit? Maybe it will go to food or shelter but just to be sure I will follow them to the store and make sure they buy and consume whatever it is, that's not asking too much, right?

I try to give food or clothing when it is convenient and maybe a couple of dollars when I am in an insanely good mood. Otherwise, the same (and most common) thought goes through my head, 'It's not my problem. I go to where I have to be in order to take care of me and my home and when laid off, go on to the next opportunity - even if it means less money that what I may like.' A good alternative is to make them do light labor like cleaning the car windows if your pumping gas or watering the lawn - just as long as they don't have access to your personal property, for the sake of safety.

An article in the Cincinnati Enquirer (August 27, 2003) gives account of a man who became homeless as the result of doing a year in prison for using a stolen credit card. Prior to his incarceration, he owned a tiling business but in 2003 was content panhandling for change to buy beer and cigarettes. He even predicted that funds for a soliciting ticket issued by local authorities would be taken care of by begging for change. While the article does not describe the man's state of mind, social circle or finances before he was arrested, it does empathize that he is comfortable with his life. The constant moving around to prevent trespassing, accepting food from others to survive and the rats that disrupt his outdoor sleep are not incentives to turn this situation around.

Today, we have specialists to deal with all sorts of disorders such as anorexia, chemical dependency and even sex addiction. At most state-funded employment agencies, there are workshops and counselors that deal with long-term job loss and have transition programs for ex-felons to get back into the world of work. Should we create centers that deal specifically with homeless persons looking to get back into a functioning lifestyle? Not just, 'Get up in the morning, go to work and don't do anything that might get you fired' sort of speech. Someone who can tackle the fear of going back into society and keeping a stiff upper lip throughout. Since some homeless people become substance abusers as a result of their situation, should prescription drugs be administered as well as drug counseling at the tax payers expense? Say after they get back on their feet, should they be made to make out of pocket payments after completion of such a program? Though there are many non-profits that help, they only place a bandage on a laceration mostly because very few deal with the mental state that can be hazardous not only the person but those around him. A lot of the smaller non-profits also struggle with budget cuts and staff that may be overworked and underpaid. People who actually want to volunteer are few and far between, even for college credits their commitment level is minimal. Perhaps motivational speakers can expand their credentials to include such (even if they donated their services, that would be a start). One thing for certain is that homelessness is not about property, morals or unfortunate circumstances but human existence.