tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post6988259509459318742..comments2008-01-17T10:08:47.404-06:00Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868852480996815442noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-56175204983770703292008-01-17T10:08:00.000-06:002008-01-17T10:08:00.000-06:00Thanks to people like yourself Jeff for voicing this problem here in America! We can't take care of our own people but yet we're the first one to be at someone else's door (internationally!). <BR/><BR/>I've started taking Tyler to do volunteer first time 3 wks ago, delivering food from The Food Pantry to the elderlies and let me tell you, I had to control myself from not crying seeing these old folks waiting around for the boxes to be opened so they can do their "shopping". So sad, and I'm glad Tyler is seeing that so he knows how lucky he is for a 7 y/o. So I can imagine how your heart must felt when seeing those homeless children. We do take things for granted don't we, even if it's just a small luxury.wayabettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06993697296070707945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-58791744547214884952008-01-04T15:18:00.000-06:002008-01-04T15:18:00.000-06:00So many good comments, I have nothing to add . . . except, bless you.Mom Thumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191483830587029419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-10658906124584914322008-01-03T00:57:00.000-06:002008-01-03T00:57:00.000-06:00Very well said. I used to work at a clinic for the homless and street workers...it's a very complex issue that's not easy to understand until you get involved. Good for you and your community for getting involved.DrowseyMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679094659957098225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-31866319512651497302008-01-02T18:50:00.000-06:002008-01-02T18:50:00.000-06:00You're good people. I think this is a great way to give back to the community and you've inspired me to look for a similar program in my area.Mrs. Chickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18056206889322232109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-74580497181478446492008-01-02T18:43:00.000-06:002008-01-02T18:43:00.000-06:00This issue really hits home for me, there but for the grace of God go I. I have been near homeless myself many times, it's always just a breath away.<BR/><BR/>I've had a lot of good experiences working with homeless people.<BR/><BR/>The worst thing I ever saw was in St. Pete FL, there is a HUGE homeless problem and instead of addressing the issue proactively the city attempts to drive the people out by attacking shelters and churches that provide services.Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03289584923725420572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-86385674420977188632008-01-02T14:31:00.000-06:002008-01-02T14:31:00.000-06:00Ah Jeff, I second Mom (your Mom I suppose) as I am sitting here the same way. The thought of people homeless, no less families is disheartening beyond belief. And how in such a "great nation" as our own, does this still exist? I know within my own family, there are some who struggle as they are unemployed and thus healthcare is beyond their reach. It's a sad commentary except for those citizens such as yourself who care enough to really do something. I am glad that you shared this post and we all need to be reminded that we can all help in some way - however small it is. Thank you for doing that.<BR/><BR/>I live in NYC where there is no shortage of people in need. Best to you and your family in the new year. Thanks for reminding me of just how good we have it.Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16075495407192340894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-83218047599767958122008-01-02T12:52:00.000-06:002008-01-02T12:52:00.000-06:00That's great, Jeff. Our area churches have a similar program, and I've helped out a little with it. I suppose it's a bit more urgent where you live, though. There's no way someone could survive on the street in the midwest.<BR/><BR/>Happy New Year!Dieselhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14731849693307953813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-91802904759506501432008-01-02T12:46:00.000-06:002008-01-02T12:46:00.000-06:00Terrible.<BR/><BR/>But it's wonderful that you're bringing it to the forefront.<BR/><BR/>It's so easy to forget how small our problems are and how much others need our help.Mama Drama Jenny, the Bloggesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718481135182612620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-67893015393982177302008-01-02T10:40:00.000-06:002008-01-02T10:40:00.000-06:00I worked at a shelter for abused and homeless women and children up in Fargo. It was the most challenging and rewarding job I've ever had. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for reminding us how simple it is to take what we have for granted.allandnothingatthesametimehttp://allandnothingatthesametime.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-30490484197772723182008-01-02T10:25:00.000-06:002008-01-02T10:25:00.000-06:00The world needs more people like you.<BR/><BR/>And don't feel guilty - you've done nothing to create the conditions that these people live in and you are doing something to help make their lives more comfortable. <BR/><BR/>-andipootandcubbyhttp://pootandcubby.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-80203034670372118942008-01-02T09:25:00.000-06:002008-01-02T09:25:00.000-06:00Thanks for taking the time to comment at my blog. Arriving here, I immediately thought about how you should "meet" John, and perhaps some of your readers would also benefit from reading John's blog about homelessness and how he got out. John is an inspiration. <BR/><BR/>http://homelessfamily.blogspot.com/fracashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04274211988370604409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-39800824121360479652008-01-01T23:18:00.000-06:002008-01-01T23:18:00.000-06:00requests for donations come at us at a fevered pitch during this hectic time of year, and even when we do support charities with a few dollars here and there, we don't often stop to think about their needs beyond writing out that check.<BR/><BR/>thanks for the reminder that a friendly smile and open heart can be worth even more to these folks.<BR/><BR/>happy new year to you and your family, jeff. God bless...bon bonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08222604600490116372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-85963061739223047052008-01-01T22:15:00.000-06:002008-01-01T22:15:00.000-06:00Jeff, thank you for this post. i've spent the last decade in shelters and programs serving the homeless, i so know what you are saying. and Julie is right, it'll be on our just post list this month.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056576921114387218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-53293694396383817172008-01-01T20:59:00.000-06:002008-01-01T20:59:00.000-06:00Jeff, pat on the back wanted or not, it's coming from me because every word you wrote is so true and what you do is so wonderful.<BR/><BR/>I'm sending this post to Mad and Jen for the Just Posts.<BR/><BR/>Julie<BR/><A HREF="http://theartfulflower.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Using My Words</A>Julie Pipperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-39805769832317066812008-01-01T20:15:00.000-06:002008-01-01T20:15:00.000-06:00Wow. I love how you express this. We have alot of homeless families in our city this season due to many fires believe it or not. Apartment building and houses. So many people in our little city are pulling together and helping out in ways I didnt think possible...still more needs to be done but still, it is quite amazing. Happy New Year.Stepping Over the Junkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09165163020885309533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-32296197095288922102008-01-01T19:40:00.000-06:002008-01-01T19:40:00.000-06:00Rick,<BR/>You are no grinch, grinches don't drive 3&1/2 hours so one brother can celebrate New Years and see another brother's gig and still count on you to get him and his friends home safely. A grinch doesn't spend the day sliding down hills with his nephew and his friends. A grinch doesn't run to help out everyone every time they are remodeling their house. You are skeptical and for good reason. BUT as Jeff tries to point out in this post, most of the homeless are good human beings, plagued by bad luck, mental illness or a downturn in the economy. Depression is one of the biggest causes of homelessness, not manipulators trying to scare old ladies(those individuals are probably not even homeless). One of the young men that stayed with us that night was one of the most polite, young veterans I have ever met. My guess is that he is haunted by his stint in the service and has some untreated mental illness. Most of the younger men get up around 5am to stand in line (in the bitter cold) until 8am when the Temp. Labor agency opens so that they have first dibs on the good jobs. Most of the people we spent the night with have some sort of misfortune happening in their lives and no family to catch them as they fall. I think of all the times Bill and Lois have bailed us out of tough times. There are a couple who seem to be just "using" the system but they are very very few and far between. For one thing, the rules are so strict that you have to be willing to put up with quite a bit and few willingly sleep on a gym floor.Charlinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-65548722712987161002008-01-01T19:23:00.000-06:002008-01-01T19:23:00.000-06:00A heart-breaking post, Jeff. I'm sitting her all warm and cozy in my living room, hearing the wind howling outside. I'm just hoping everyone in my town who needs a roof over their heads and a meal in their stomachs has one. You're doing good, hands-on work and thank God for people like you.Kathy Frederickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12168816435565273787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-40157311378150148832008-01-01T15:51:00.000-06:002008-01-01T15:51:00.000-06:00What a sad, yet beautiful, post. <BR/><BR/>When I lived in Duluth, I remember seeing the same faces at the downtown Holiday Mall bus shelter on my way to and from work. I was so naive; it never occurred to me that these people were homeless.<BR/><BR/>Here in Rochester, our church participates in the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which provides temporary housing to the homeless. It's a wonderful service, but rarely available as it always seems to have more people waiting for a place to sleep than housing.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377174692899802883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-5913290114254642972008-01-01T15:34:00.000-06:002008-01-01T15:34:00.000-06:00That is truly good work that group is doing. Children are always the victims of our problems.yellojkthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592683505688819187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-37494261538763924102008-01-01T14:50:00.000-06:002008-01-01T14:50:00.000-06:00rick said,<BR/> Sorry I kind of went off on a rant there, no sleep last night. I didn't mean to lump all the innocent people who are suffering through no fault of their own, in with the panhandlers. I was accosted three times, and I seem to be seeing more and more of it in Duluth. They all seem to be young men in their 20's, scaring the crap out of old people, who give them money just so they go away. <BR/> As for the homeless families, I don't know if I've ever seen one here. Maybe I just wasn't looking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-65399337472886302362008-01-01T10:09:00.000-06:002008-01-01T10:09:00.000-06:00rick - I know what you're saying about panhandlers, but this is a different situation. These people are people on the fringes with minor mental or physical health issues who have fallen through the cracks and are unable to maintain a job. <BR/><BR/>In their cases, our social and healthcare systems have simply failed them and they have no other choice but to accept the help of the drop-in centers, shelters and churches that are available. And, they're not even allowed to use these services if they test positive for drugs or alcohol.<BR/><BR/>The morning we were there, there were 5 men who were up and out the door at 5:00 to go stand in line for temporary work, so some of them are definitely doing their best to try to be self sustained. But when a "low income" house costs more than twice what I paid for my first home, it's no wonder they can't afford to own a house on a Burger King income.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868852480996815442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-35206716110337144072008-01-01T09:07:00.000-06:002008-01-01T09:07:00.000-06:00rick said,<BR/> I think it's great you have such a big heart. Mine must be part grinch because when some alcoholic/meth addict comes up and asks me if I have a dollar, I always think of the many thousands of people who have died just for the chance to get into this country, or the people who don't have arms or legs. Then I think of the free education he was given,and all that he has taken for granted. I asked the last guy if, when he was a little kid, and people asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, did he say "I want to be a begger." I was at Burger King, and I pointed out the "Help Wanted" sign. He told me they wouldn't pay him enough. Apparently he felt he was too good for the food service industry, a job we both worked in for years to EARN our own way. Call me cynical, but the vast majority of those guys just don't feel like working.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-3971506798516233982008-01-01T07:42:00.000-06:002008-01-01T07:42:00.000-06:00The homeless blend in very well at college. I would find a spot every day upstairs in the studen union building or the library to study. I would notice the same grimy faces asleep in a comfy chair. It is nice that they did not get bothered by anyone. I don't know where they ate as it was very expensive to eat on campus. I don't give to the signholders on the street. It is like an industry here.Galehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054170274536788586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-41245497954580089992008-01-01T05:40:00.000-06:002008-01-01T05:40:00.000-06:00Bonne année ! <BR/><BR/>Happy New Year Jeff ! :)BeeHappy Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225582251355214387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-89080496925957559492008-01-01T05:05:00.000-06:002008-01-01T05:05:00.000-06:00I have nothing constructive or sensible to add because like most people I just walk on by - but thank you for making me stop and think for a short while, maybe it will make a difference next time.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14757521923096821668noreply@blogger.com