Homelessness, begging, and what to do about it

[Weezer]

Happens all the time. Especially here from cedar bluff to turkey creek

The last time I gave money to someone was at the Kroger's on Campbell Station. Guy had a sign about being unemployed because of the pandemic and needing money for his rent to keep a roof over his family's head. But he wasn't simply asking for money. Guy was playing the violin, and he was good. So I figured what the hell. He was trying to earn it in a way he knew how. I respected that.

 

[DonjoVol]

Spoke too him about truck driving school yesterday. He’s going to look into it. I think most companies will pay for it, if not I told him we’d make it work. Does have a recent speeding ticket but nothing major

I think Roehl is one that pays for it. Might want to look into them if you haven't.

 

[DonjoVol]

Anyone want to help me make a list of decent jobs other than factors for the non-college educated? I'm interested for personal reasons too (attempting to help a nephew)

1. Military
2. Post office
3. Heavy equipment operator
4. Railroads
5. Oilfield worker
6. Police (too lazy for a factory, unqualified for anything else)
7, Sales

Most ironworkers unions are usually hiring for their apprenticeship programs. Dangerous work but they make make good money. I think Norfolk Southern has been hiring train conductors for some time now. Automobile and diesel mechanics are another option. I would recommend insurance sales but it's often hard to find people in that industry willing to actually be a mentor to new people coming into the business.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

I used to buy 1-2 bags of groceries requiring no cooking and give to homeless people with kids, or others if I didn't see such. I don't give money because too many will just blow it on alcohol or dope. Foods were those large round salad trays, whole roisterer chicken, large potato salad containers, bottles of V-8, whole wheat bread, clusters of fruits, you get the idea. Later, I stopped doing that because of incidents of people being attacked when trying to help this way. Now and then, I have a ticket for a two for one dinner at Applebee's or other place I may flick their way. There are shelters, soup kitchens, and the like available. Fact is, it has become dangerous to be a good Samaritan now, it'snot the 1950s anymore. So while I'm not unsympathetic, I'm far more cautious than I used to be, and with good reason.

 

[n_huffhines]

First, when I'm stopped at a red light and someone walks up with a handwritten sign asking for money I have such mixed emotions.

The human in me take south on them and tells me to give them a handful of change I'll probably never use, or a dollar if one is sitting out. They often seem in genuine pain.

But then I remind myself, it's pain in the moment and that odds are well over 90 pct that whatever I give them would go to alcohol or drugs or both. And then I convince myself that not giving them money is more moral to not contribute to the cycle.

I see in the news today that the feds are giving Orlando $12 million to address homelessness. If it goes to temporary shelter for those who have had a bad situation arise, I'm fine with it. If it's just more kicking this can down the road, it's hurting and not helping.

So anyway, my mixture of guilt and righteous indignation on this is finished. Wondering how other people rationalize giving or not giving when they encounter someone at the traffic light.

I rarely give any money for the reasons you say. I do have a kit in my car and I'm just waiting to give it to somebody. It's got some granola bars, some clothes I was gonna take to Goodwill, the little bag of dental goodies my dentist gives me, and a $5er in it. I need to find a guy my size and hand it off, then make another kit.

 

[Majors]

I'm a sucker for a dog. Homeless although down on their luck seem to have well behaved dogs. So I give what I can if I have any cash and say take care of your friend.

 

[DinkinFlicka]

That would almost imply no money involved. In that case, you're not a prostitute, just a male slut.

Sup.

 

[theFallGuy]

I remember a story on one of the news programs (20/20, Dateline, 60 Minutes, not sure which) where they secretly followed a panhandler in NYC. Guy spent all day panhandling. End of the day, he goes and gets into a nice car and drives to a nice house in the suburbs. Wasn't sure whether to believe it or not, but I could see where one could possibly make a living at it in the big cities.

The street corner I pass on my way to work every morning has a panhandler. I've seen them get dropped off their and picked up by other vehicles. What does that tell you.

 

[NEO]

It depends what area you live in. $15 an hour is not a high starting salary in places like San Francisco and NYC.

When I say starting I mean teenager or unskilled. I know my unskilled comment is gonna rub you wrong so please just understand I am simply answering what a starting salary is to me.

 

[tim]

Designated panhandling areas and illegal everywhere else.

 

[DonjoVol]

When I say starting I mean teenager or unskilled. I know my unskilled comment is gonna rub you wrong so please just understand I am simply answering what a starting salary is to me.

Is an accounting clerk or an administrative assistant unskilled? I say that because some of those positions are paying less than some entry level fast food places now.

I also know servers and delivery drivers making $20 to $30 an hour. Quite a bit for "unskilled" work huh?

Is a pastor unskilled?

 

[NEO]

Is an accounting clerk or an administrative assistant unskilled? I say that because some of those positions are paying less than some entry level fast food places now.

I also know servers and delivery drivers making $20 to $30 an hour. Quite a bit for "unskilled" work huh?

Is a pastor unskilled?

pay is not always based on skill.

 

[DonjoVol]

pay is not always based on skill.

If some servers are constantly getting great tips then that must mean they are providing excellent skilled service.

Care to answer some of the other questions I asked?

 

[NEO]

If some servers are constantly getting great tips then that must mean they are providing excellent skilled service.

Care to answer some of the other questions I asked?

You have had this stupid conversation multiple times with multiple posters. I am not having it again.

No. A server is not considered skilled labor. Any job that can be learned in a day or two is not skilled.

I honestly do not care whether you agree or disagree. I personally do not hold an emotional stake in the skilled unskilled debate.

 

[GroverCleveland]

You have had this stupid conversation multiple times with multiple posters. I am not having it again.

No. A server is not considered skilled labor. Any job that can be learned in a day or two is not skilled.

I honestly do not care whether you agree or disagree. I personally do not hold an emotional stake in the skilled unskilled debate.

You may not, but the other party is a different story.

 

[NurseGoodVol]

A great many of them are mentally ill.
There's no "transforming" them.

Before Reagan got rid of the crazy houses they used to be able to live there.

My solution: Turn all of them into farmers.
Land allocated for farming can be turned into many things.

They can work, eat, sleep AND rehabilitate there. All of those options are on the table.
Instead of automating thinga or giving them to illegals, give the homeless a chance to change their fortunes. At worst, they stay field workers , take up a bunk space and eat 3 hot meals a day...

I’m guessing you haven’t been around many mentally ill people who are unmedicated. Ever heard of herding cats? Between the paranoid delusions and the voices they do not focus very well. Working would be impossible much less living among other mentally ill people. They would kill each other.

 

[NurseGoodVol]

Spoke too him about truck driving school yesterday. He’s going to look into it. I think most companies will pay for it, if not I told him we’d make it work. Does have a recent speeding ticket but nothing major

Tell him not to take an offer to drive for Swift even if they want to pay for it

 

[Vol8188]

Tell him not to take an offer to drive for Swift even if they want to pay for it

Any companies you’d recommend?

 

[clarksvol00]

So...

What are the root causes?

Didnt ask me, but mental illness and drugs in my opinion.

 

[NEO]

Valid point.

 

[NEO]

You may not, but the other party is a different story.

very valid point but when a poster compares a pastor, who must go to seminary for years, to a server who is thrown on the floor the very first day and given tables I tend to just check out of the conversation.

 

[NurseGoodVol]

Any companies you’d recommend?

Lilreb would be a better source for that, long haul he says market is in his favor even with training. He should check for best benefits and best deal per mile with a caveat that he’s going to be brand new. Some companies may require you to offload yourself or the contractor will offload. Check local and the reputation matters, suggests checking with an employee on how management treats employees. That was me channeling lilreb.

 

[0nelilreb]

Any companies you’d recommend?

Hi

 

[volfanhill]

I give when I can, and have it on me, after that it's their money. Not my job to judge. They asked and I chose to give .