If you know someone who is on public assistance they need help with food and such for their dog, there is an organization called Pet Food Stamps www.petfoodstamps.org/aboutus/
I'm a social worker and that's a great resource. Thanks.
i do not like being panhandled. not because i give a great goddamn what homeless people do with the money (i don't. i mean, it would be great if they used the cash for 3 square meals but giving money away inherently implies giving away control and it's not like i have any degree of experience that would inform me about what makes life without a home tolerable).
as a woman, i usually don't have pockets so i don't keep cash in the pockets that i do have. so a panhandle transaction is me stopping opening my purse, removing my wallet, fishing out the appropriate bills, etc., leaving myself distracted and vulnerable (not necessarily from the panhandler--or even most likely from the panhandler--but from anyone with shady intentions who is watching).
There is a lot of passive aggressive judginess going on in here.
This is how the homeless threads go. It's actually nicer than normal, probably because I am hate-watching The New Girl instead of being a sanctimonious twat.
apalettepassion.wordpress.com/ WHO IS BONQUIQUI!?!?!?!??!
"I was thinking about getting off on demand, but it sounds like I should be glad that I didn't"
I think that @dontcallmeshirley1 was really trying to be nice in her explanation. The C&P ladies tend to get pretty fired up about posts like this, and her response was really tame in comparison to what I've seen go on over there.
I don't judge you for not liking to be panhandled to, because I get that. I do judge the "don't stand on the corner and ask for money when you could go to a shelter/church and get help!" bit.
well, you do sound quite sheltered in this thread. I'm sorry that homeless people make you "uncomfortable" and you're disappointed that they aren't doing a better job of utilizing non-profit organizations. lol.
I see your point. I guess I'm just not sure if panhandling is really that much help to the person. I mean, a lot of homeless people don't have a lot of choices or options, so if that's what they want to do I respect that. I just don't like the more forward panhandling that I've experienced.
I didn't realize this was a hot topic on C&PE- I should lurk over there more often!
Post by RoxMonster on Oct 30, 2013 20:17:42 GMT -5
I saw a homeless man with a dog that looked just like Rox on an off-ramp a couple weeks ago coming home from work. My heart broke. I literally had no cash on me, not even change (I am HORRIBLE at carrying cash--I need to carry some, I know), and the only dog thing I had in the car was a nearly-empty, used Lickety Stick. I felt bad I couldn't give anything.
nicbreeful, I always make eye contact and say something too, even if I have nothing on me. I used to work for a nonprofit that did a lot of homeless outreach, and that was something that we stressed to people. It's really hard to be out in public, day in and day out, and have the vast majority of people pretend you don't exist. Not having a home is terrible enough, and being treated like something less than a person wears on you.
Pardon me, I'm gonna get down from this high horse now. Bleeding heart coming through!
There is a homeless man who sits outside of a convenience store that I frequent. Sometimes I buy him cigarettes, Tim Hortons gift cards, and sometimes food or cash. He clearly has some mental health issues and I wish there was more I could do to help him . He was there on Christmas Day just shivering and looking sad.
I've also read that some of the people on the street with pets are homeless because they can't afford to pay pet deposits or find pet friendly housing. They use the shelter address to receive their social security checks or whatever. I know I wouldn't be giving up my pets.
Here is the thing about "always making eye contact." I strongly believe all humans deserve to be treated with dignity and that being homeless doesn't mean you don't merit common decency. On the other hand, I've lived a block from a public psych hospital and a men's shelter. Making eye contact with a stranger in the midst of a psychotic break isn't such a great idea. Being a person who has frequent psychotic breaks makes it hard to hold a job or keep housing. It doesn't make you a bad person or less deserving of dignity. It does mean there are times when I won't be putting forth the effort. Like everything else in life, you have to assess the situation and use your judgment.
Panhandlers generally bother me because I don't think it's the most effective way for them to receive the assistance they need. Some panhandlers I like- there was a guy selling lucky pennies for a dollar and you bet I gave him money. But to your question, homeless people don't bother me.
If they have a pet, though, they're likely not allowed in most shelters. So they can face abandoning their dogs and getting into a program, or they can keep on the streets and hope that enough people feel sorrier for the animal than for the human and get by somehow.
I have written up 10 different responses. And none are all that great so I'll just say that it makes me sad the people care only about the homeless dog and not the homeless person. I get that the dog is 'helpless' however I am guessing that homeless feed their animals better/first before themselves.
Here is the thing about "always making eye contact." I strongly believe all humans deserve to be treated with dignity and that being homeless doesn't mean you don't merit common decency. On the other hand, I've lived a block from a public psych hospital and a men's shelter. Making eye contact with a stranger in the midst of a psychotic break isn't such a great idea. Being a person who has psychotic breaks makes it hard to hold a job or keep housing. It doesn't make you a bad person or less deserving of dignity. It does mean there are times when I won't be putting forth the effort. Like everything else in life, you have to assess the situation and use your judgment.
This is absolutely true. I live in an area with a very high homeless population, which is in part because of the abundance of resources, including one of the largest drop in homeless shelters in the metro area. Most of the people utilizing these services aren't panhandling. Of those who are panhandling in my neighborhood, it appears many suffer from mental illness and chemical dependency and are aggressive. This isn't a blanket judgment, this is the reality that I have experienced first hand over several years. I believe they all deserve decency. But I've had people come onto my front porch and yell at me through my door, damage my property, and have watched as they rant and yell at pedestrians and passing vehicles- all of these things have been unprovoked and random. I dont need to engage with them, smile at them, or make eye contact with them to believe that they deserve better.
Post by iammalcolmx on Oct 30, 2013 22:45:07 GMT -5
We have a guy at my interstate exit who has a dog. I give him whatever I have. I know for a fact he takes that dog in for wellness exams every 6 months because a local vet donates her services and word got out. Also the dog had to have a procedure and everyone was so concerned his "sign" had to address the fact. Yeah the dogs get me and most everyone who uses my exit the same because I hardly ever sit at that light and not see folks give him money.
EmilieMadison I'm impressed with your patience! The same people frequent my office building (county services) and it can be very trying sometimes.
It's never boring, I can tell you that much! I'm not all that patient, though, so dont give me too much credit LOL! I try to MYOB, but I've had to call the police when panhandlers have gotten aggressive near my home.
I have a theory (probably designed to make me feel better) that homeless people treat their dogs pretty well. They are always with them, they walk around a lot. I have seen many of them take food and give it directly to their dog. I also know people who were very close to being homeless because they couldn't find pet friendly rentals in a city with a less that 1% occupancy rate, people who loved their dog that much.
I agree with this. There are many homeless people in my neighborhood who have dogs and they care for those dogs in such a loving way. There is one lady who carriers her dog when it's too tired to walk anymore and at night she wraps her dog in the only blanket she has and her coat while she sits there shivering. She even puts her glove on the dogs feet.
Many homeless people w/pets won't go to shelters because dogs are not allowed and they will not give them up.
Thankfully all the businesses around here always have big bowls of water outside for dogs. All three independent pet supply stores put baskets of pet food samples out daily and a church has a monthly pet food pantry.
nicbreeful, I always make eye contact and say something too, even if I have nothing on me. I used to work for a nonprofit that did a lot of homeless outreach, and that was something that we stressed to people. It's really hard to be out in public, day in and day out, and have the vast majority of people pretend you don't exist. Not having a home is terrible enough, and being treated like something less than a person wears on you.
Pardon me, I'm gonna get down from this high horse now. Bleeding heart coming through!
Yeah, me too. I rarely have cash, but will make eye contact and tell them that and tell them I hope things get better or to have a nice day. I've never had a bad reaction. if I buy food or toiletries, I ask them what they need or want. Often it's just coffee (or one guy wanted deodorant and bar soap) but I'll usually bring a muffin or something to eat too.
The other day I actually had my wallet out and thought I might have cash, so I was fumbling through it and came up with a dollar coin... and my dad's 4-year sobriety chip he'd given to me. I looked at it for a second, trying to figure out what it was. The dude goes "hey! Congratulations on that chip!" I was like, uh, it's my dad's!" I'm so glad i didn't accidentally give that away. I've since moved the coin to my nightstand so I don't make a huge mistake.
I get why people are uncomfortable with panhandling even if I'm not, though.
I pass the same folks on my way to and from my office every day. I never have cash to give but am always friendly. The few who aren't too far gone know I work at the housing authority.
One guy and I fist bump every day. I know he will be pumped this morning about the sox.
Here is the thing about "always making eye contact." I strongly believe all humans deserve to be treated with dignity and that being homeless doesn't mean you don't merit common decency. On the other hand, I've lived a block from a public psych hospital and a men's shelter. Making eye contact with a stranger in the midst of a psychotic break isn't such a great idea. Being a person who has psychotic breaks makes it hard to hold a job or keep housing. It doesn't make you a bad person or less deserving of dignity. It does mean there are times when I won't be putting forth the effort. Like everything else in life, you have to assess the situation and use your judgment.
Okay, this is fair. I make eye contact and chat with the people who are coherent. And once there was a woman who was clearly drugged out of her mind and I squatted down next to her to make sure she was okay. She spoke with me, so I thought she was okay. The cops were with her later telling her she was going to the hospital, and I felt bad for not calling someone.
But there is also a woman that wanders around mumbling to herself with a pink bath towel over her head and a guy that kicks every rock in his path and although I feel sympathetic and wish I could help them, I do not go out of my way to make eye contact or chat.
And, to be honest, I don't work in an area with a large amount of homeless. My approach could be exhausting otherwise.