Panhandling in the South
There is an interesting article in the LA Times about panhandling in Atlanta, and how homelessness has also become a racial issue. (Click the title to read the article.)
It is interesting that the divisive issue of homelessness has also become a divisive racial issue. No matter what color a person might be, we all want homelessness to be solved. Rather than fight over the philosophical positions over homelessness, we should just get our butts in gear and solve it.
posted by LA's Homeless Blog at
3:11 PM
5 Comments:
You know this is a big problem , th epart you mention about racial issues. I have lived here in Central City East- you call it skid row- I anma resident and I call it Central City East, and for the most part people try to make it about racial issues. I think it is about just like you said getting in gear and solving it.
You sound good. I attended the Swearing in of Jan Perry also and it was great to hear from Orlando Ward and the speakers from the not for profits , but those who fought along side her who are actual residents were not mentioned , I fought side by side with CArol Shatz and others to keep the ninth council district together , but we residents were not mentioned.
Charles Patrick Hart
Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca 92688
October 12, 2005
To May it May Concern,
Recently I have been struggling with the ever growing need to help the homeless and needy. Through various organizations I do community service or give money to help.
However, I am aware that, although I am meeting a need, I may also be perpetuating a bigger problem. We all know about the vicious cycle of our system involving our homeless, hungry, and poverty stricken neighbors. I think I have a real solution that is not only practical, financially prudent, but also can help get to the root of the problem and stop some of those toxic cycles.
We all want to know that when we reach a hand out to a needy person on the street, they will use the money we give them to improve their current state, ei: feed, clothe and better themselves. The reality is the money is most likely going back into alcohol or drugs. By reaching out my hand, I am only worsening a system that already drains so many valuable resources. But how do I, as a good, moral human being who cares about my neighbor, ignore his empty palm?
My idea is to have organizations such as the Salvation Army, The LA Mission, etc. accept donations and issue a business card sized voucher that can be given to a homeless person for a free meal, clothes, etc. My friends could then carry these cards and when a homeless person asks for a handout they can be given something that has a better value than a dollar. The cards could be exchanged for a bed for the night, food, hot shower, clothes, or any other service that the charity provides.
Creating a system where I am financially supporting a shelter and, in turn, they are trading those dollars to a needy person for some basic human needs makes sense. Imagine those shelters that offer drug rehabilitation and counseling are welcoming a person who they know are not as likely to return for help. Imagine the cycle of drugs, homelessness, panhandling, loitering, that will be lessened because strangers are handing them vouchers that will provide for them the help they really need, rather than a dollar that will worsen their condition.
By reaching out to local organizations and shelters and having them create vouchers, cards, etc at their expense, they can sell a card for $5.00 and offer $4.00 in services, food, shelter, etc. and retain $1.00 to support their cause.
• The purchaser of the card will be making a tax deductible donation.
• The organization is making a dollar they would not have made before and can offer better services because they have more money.
• The purchaser of the card can freely give the gift of humanity with no worries of how their gift will be used.
• The needy person is given the gift of dignity and love.
• Our healthcare systems benefit
• Our cities benefit
• We start a healing process in our community
It is my sincere hope that this suggestion is taken with some consideration. Something has to change. Someone has to accept that our current system is not working. “If not me, who. If not now, when?”
Respectfully,
Charles Pat Hart
Great article! Thanks.
Thanks for interesting article.
Excellent website. Good work. Very useful. I will bookmark!
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