Homeless -This is notAmerica link inside

**HappyMama** · 01-15-2009, 03:57 PM

A video about homeless here in our America. Very sad and telling to see where we are at this year 81% foreclosure rates compared to last year 2007 was in the news today. I work with non profits volunteering and thought you all might want to see this. As you can see from my foreclosure alley posts this is very sad and heart wrenching to me. Compassion and caring for not God there go I . Thanks to anyone who watches.

Angel
[nomedia]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_BbonURJ-E[/nomedia]

**mzpepper** · 01-15-2009, 04:13 PM

Thank you for the link to the homelessness video.

I see it is becoming a bigger problem even here in Small Town USA. Last week a news story said that because of all the people who are living in their cars, a parking lot in town has been dedicated for their use at night. It has toilet facilitites available for their use also. They must leave in the daytime. When the police are called about the car being in a location where it is not wanted the police disclose the location of the Homeless Parking Lot to the people in the car and tell them to go there for the night. The location is not disclosed in the news article or to the general public because so many of these homeless people are fleeing domestic violance.

Such a small band-aid for such a big problem.

**IntlMom** · 01-15-2009, 04:16 PM

I volunteer often at our local homeless shelter, and will tell you this:
I have sat eaten alongside these folks, I have listened to their stories, I have creid with them.......and let me tell you, we are ALL just one or two bad decisions or bad situations away from being homeless ourselves. Homelessness is a terrible cycle to get into, because once you are there, these folks have a really hard time breaking the vicious cycle.

Don't just have pity on the homeless. Pray for them, offer to help them, they need our help.

**HappyMama** · 01-15-2009, 04:30 PM

Yes I agree my DH and I volunteer , give , pray and try to help also. It has helped teach our children love, compassion and caring in this world also.

**IntlMom** · 01-15-2009, 04:35 PM

I like having my older kids come with me to the shelter and food bank. It teaches them compassion for others, I believe. It also lets them see that not every one lives like we do in our little protected "bubble" Hopefully, they will grow to become more comapssion ppl.

**mzpepper** · 01-15-2009, 04:40 PM

Traci, your children are blessed by your attitude.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-15-2009, 06:45 PM

It truly is sad. Our province has one of the highest homeless rates in the country. I agree, we need to be compassionate and volunteer in anyway we can.

**Marie78** · 01-15-2009, 07:55 PM

I work in a non-profit agency and we work with the homeless and mentally ill population in the city I live. I go to work every day and I see hope. I only work with the paperwork and checking to make sure we are crossing our T's and dotting our I's so the agency can stay funded. However, I know that we help get the homeless off the streets, the women of domestic violence find a new way of living and hope for a better future for them and their children. The mentally ill help find a voice, that can advocate for their quality of life. It's so hard to hear the stories and see the suffering. It's even harder to see these people we help decide they would rather live in an abusive situation or back on the streets because it's where they feel the most comfortable.

Our population of mentally ill and homeless is growing and I can only equate it to the state of the economy. Unemployment is so high, the jobs that are available pay so low and there are so many people needing help right now. The funding for help keeps shrinking and our city is losing places that help those that need it most.

I donate each month to our local food bank and homeless shelter because we work closely with these places and they are in need of financial help. I see the good the food bank and shelter do for the people we help, I don't make much myself but I go without a "luxury" so a fellow human being can have food or a warm place to sleep. I was going to buy boots this winter, but each time I think I have some "splurge" money for myself I end up donating it. I can only imagine that some of these poor men, women, and children would find my overly used boots a luxury. Especially, when they don't know if they will eat the next day or have a warm bed to sleep in. It totally puts my "needs" into perspective. Working where I work has helped me spend very little on myself the last 2 years, in fact, the lack of spending is what has helped me pay off my debts quicker. This video could have been filmed using the people our agency helps each day. My heart goes out to these people. Like others have said, "For the grace of God go I."

**Debbie-cat** · 01-15-2009, 08:12 PM

The whole situation is so sad. Like IntlMom says usually it is one or two bad decisions. We all have made bad decisions in our lifetime and it could easily be one of us in those homeless shelters. The homeless need our help, support and prayers.

**jamie79** · 01-15-2009, 09:12 PM

I want to say how touching this video is. It makes me mad that our government turns its backs on its citizens esp. ones who have served their country.
What makes me madder is alot of peoples attitudes about homelessness and poverty.
The "I got mine, the hell with everyone else" attitude makes me furious.
I have had a woman say to me that people who are poor CHOSE to be poor.
If you are not taught skills, have education made a priority or grow up in a situation of abuse, drugs or alcohol your chances for a decent life are greatly diminished.
If you find yourself in situations because of injury or illness or job loss in a horrible economy and there is no saftey net what are you to do?
I have to say as an Army wife I am ASHAMED at how our government treats our vets. When your injured in war one thing that they have tried to do is to discharge you in such away that you get no medical benefits. I have seen this happen to soldiers. Its a terrible things.
I know my next statement will upset some people but I am willing to risk it. In my opinion, one political party, more then the other is HEARTLESS when it comes to human suffering and lacks compassion for people. Now certainly not all in this party have that attitude, I am just refering to people in the government not anyone here.

**mamamia** · 01-16-2009, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by Marie78

I work in a non-profit agency and we work with the homeless and mentally ill population in the city I live. I go to work every day and I see hope. I only work with the paperwork and checking to make sure we are crossing our T's and dotting our I's so the agency can stay funded. However, I know that we help get the homeless off the streets, the women of domestic violence find a new way of living and hope for a better future for them and their children. The mentally ill help find a voice, that can advocate for their quality of life. It's so hard to hear the stories and see the suffering. It's even harder to see these people we help decide they would rather live in an abusive situation or back on the streets because it's where they feel the most comfortable.

Our population of mentally ill and homeless is growing and I can only equate it to the state of the economy. Unemployment is so high, the jobs that are available pay so low and there are so many people needing help right now. The funding for help keeps shrinking and our city is losing places that help those that need it most.

I donate each month to our local food bank and homeless shelter because we work closely with these places and they are in need of financial help. I see the good the food bank and shelter do for the people we help, I don't make much myself but I go without a "luxury" so a fellow human being can have food or a warm place to sleep. I was going to buy boots this winter, but each time I think I have some "splurge" money for myself I end up donating it. I can only imagine that some of these poor men, women, and children would find my overly used boots a luxury. Especially, when they don't know if they will eat the next day or have a warm bed to sleep in. It totally puts my "needs" into perspective. Working where I work has helped me spend very little on myself the last 2 years, in fact, the lack of spending is what has helped me pay off my debts quicker. This video could have been filmed using the people our agency helps each day. My heart goes out to these people. Like others have said, "For the grace of God go I."

Marie, your post is so inspiring to me and I'm sure many others! I hope all of us can find a way to help on whatever level we can. Here in my area, the food banks are empty. So many regular donors have had to tighten their own belts, meaning less donations. At the elementary school, they keep a food and clothes closet. Your post helped to remind me of my personal promise to donate what I can. With all my stockpiling, I certainly can share quite alot too!

It seems they have so many drives during the holidays, and than the poor are forgotten about the rest of the year. That bothers me so much! People go hungry and cold, and children right here in this "land of plenty" are starving everyday

40,000 children worldwide die everyday from hunger. No, I'm not exagerating. Mind blowing, isn't it?

So Marie, I thank you again for sharing your generous spirit with us!

Theresa

**IntlMom** · 01-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by jamie79

I know my next statement will upset some people but I am willing to risk it. In my opinion, one political party, more then the other is HEARTLESS when it comes to human suffering and lacks compassion for people. Now certainly not all in this party have that attitude, I am just refering to people in the government not anyone here.

I read this statement that you typed and I am not upset by it at all. Unfortunately, I believe that you are correct. I want to go on record that I am a supporter of the "other party"....the HEARTLESS one you mentioned

........and you are right, that party as a whole tends to not focus on the plight of the underpriveledged, rather on other areas........

But like you mentioned, not all in the party have that attitude.... I am passionate about the homeless and the vicious cycle of depair that they find themselves in - it could so easily be any of us in that situation......I've heard their stories, and really, it could be any of us.