I've lost all sympathy for street people

[DESS]

I've been hucking change their way my whole life. I've always donated winter jackets, blankets, etc. to the Mustard Seed. I'm usually rocking a few empty water bottles and coins in my car - if I see a street person I've been known to pull over and give him the bottles and the money.

But screw it. Now I need them - I'm busting my ass at my job because I can't hire any labourers while these lazy sacks sit around the street getting drunk and high while all the bleeding heart Calgarians give them the money to do it.

I know some of them have mental illnesses, but I remember totally ######ed guys working at McDonalds and other places. These low lifes lurking around the streets can easily handle basic labour positions, but they choose not to.

So yeah, I'm not giving them anything anymore but employment opportunities. I hope some of you guys do the same.

[/rant]

[troutman]

Most of them are unemployable, due to mental illness or addictions.

[habernac]

donating to the Mustard Seed et al is fine, giving them money doesn't and never has helped them.

[HOOT]

When they ask for change I tell them to "get a job, that is a change" and been saying that since I was about 15 years old. Why should I work for my money and then give people hand outs? But they continue to do it, because they are ALL LOSERS!!!

Try living in Victoria where it is a lifestyle and homeless bums actually think they deserve your money just because they asked. They had some reports where suring the summer the homeless in this city can actually make upwards to $200 a day. Its all the old people scared that if they don't give them money they will be attacked, my Grandma was that way.

Have an illness? Get help. Have an addiction? Get help. Can't find a job? You have to be kidding me right!

However I do have no problem giving old clothes/blackets to Mustard Seed, ect. I just don't have any respect for the people that just sit on the street and beg for a living. Put that effort into a resume and a fulltime job at fast food place.

[Eric Vail]

I agree the best thing to do is to give money to agencies who know how to help them. Much of the money given directly to them goes to feed their addictions. That said, I have on occassion bought them food at McDonalds or whatever.

If you are game to offer them employment, that could be an incredible service. I'd call the Mustard Seed and explain that you'd like to offer work and see if they have anyone to send you.

[Hakan]

Yup homeless people are homeless because they are lazy.

Yup

[rockstar]

Some nice blanket statements in there.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by DESS

So yeah, I'm not giving them anything anymore but employment opportunities. I hope some of you guys do the same.
[/rant]

I could use a new assistant...

[FireInTheHole]

I especially dislike it when they come up to your car at an intersection looking for handouts. There was someone doing that at the exit from the South Costco last Saturday! How did she get there in the first place? Drive her car???

I cringe when I see people roll down their window to give them money... it's just enabling their addictions/issues.

[mykalberta]

My end to the "direct donation path" was when I was walking to the crack donalds CTrain station and a guy asked me for some money cause he was so hungry.

I said, here come on and we will get you something from McDonalds, they guy flat out refused and almost kind of demanded the money himself and he would buy it. I told him to piss off - I am not a small guy nor am I timid, so any homeless without a weapon would be hard pressed for that.

Ever since the only thing I do is overpay for junk durring United Way drives.

[DESS]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I agree the best thing to do is to give money to agencies who know how to help them. Much of the money given directly to them goes to feed their addictions. That said, I have on occassion bought them food at McDonalds or whatever.

If you are game to offer them employment, that could be an incredible service. I'd call the Mustard Seed and explain that you'd like to offer work and see if they have anyone to send you.

Actually other agencies take people from the Mustard Seed (e.g. Labour Ready) and "rent" them out. We've been using their services for the better part of a year. One in 10 guys if a normal dude. The street people they get are, without fail, complete low-life losers. Prior to actually interacting with them I never would have said that, but I have had direct contact with them now for many months and they are where they are for a reason.

I offer every single one of them, regardless of how crappy they are, a job. A reasonable salary, full benefits, a bonus if they stay for three months, paid sick days, etc. The job is very light labour. Every single time they turn it down because they don't want to work.

Don't believe the news that says they all have mental illnesses. These people are the bottom feeders of our society. They are complete losers that deserve nothing. And the ones with addictions - well they are addicts because they are complete losers.

[driveway]

I just cut out the middleman and give them drugs and alcohol.

[bradster57]

Originally Posted by DESS

Actually other agencies take people from the Mustard Seed (e.g. Labour Ready) and "rent" them out. We've been using their services for the better part of a year. One in 10 guys if a normal dude. The street people they get are, without fail, complete low-life losers. Prior to actually interacting with them I never would have said that, but I have had direct contact with them now for many months and they are where they are for a reason.

I offer every single one of them, regardless of how crappy they are, a job. A reasonable salary, full benefits, a bonus if they stay for three months, paid sick days, etc. The job is very light labour. Every single time they turn it down because they don't want to work.

Don't believe the news that says they all have mental illnesses. These people are the bottom feeders of our society. They are complete losers that deserve nothing. And the ones with addictions - well they are addicts because they are complete losers.

I agree. 99% of people disagree with me when I say this: Addiction is a choice- not a disease. You chose the drug/bottle in the first place. Cancer? Maybe not so much.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by DESS

Actually other agencies take people from the Mustard Seed (e.g. Labour Ready) and "rent" them out. We've been using their services for the better part of a year. One in 10 guys if a normal dude. The street people they get are, without fail, complete low-life losers. Prior to actually interacting with them I never would have said that, but I have had direct contact with them now for many months and they are where they are for a reason.

I offer every single one of them, regardless of how crappy they are, a job. A reasonable salary, full benefits, a bonus if they stay for three months, paid sick days, etc. The job is very light labour. Every single time they turn it down because they don't want to work.

Don't believe the news that says they all have mental illnesses. These people are the bottom feeders of our society. They are complete losers that deserve nothing. And the ones with addictions - well they are addicts because they are complete losers.

Around 40% have addictions or mental illness. Street life is getting to be a way of living for many, especially in warmer climates like Victoria.

[joe_mullen]

i'm sure you're aware that about 90% (according to stats) of these people suffer from mental illness. furthermore, these illnesses are extremely difficult to treat in an inpatient setting, nevermind an outpatient setting. very easy to make such absurd blanket statements without ever walking a mile in there shoes.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by redforever

Around 40% have addictions or mental illness. Street life is getting to be a way of living for many, especially in warmer climates like Victoria.

But that's just it.... 60% don't. So, that 60% is syphoning off space and resources dedicated to helping the 40% legitimately needing assistance.

What disgusts me is its not just people begging on street corners... I was actually asked for money at the KFC in frigging Brentwood... that's not exactly downtown.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Do what I do, when they ask for change, ask them if they have change for a hundred. It's mean, yes, but most of them deserve it. Most.

[troutman]

http://intraspec.ca/homelessCanada.php

http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/...less_count.pdf

[DESS]

Originally Posted by redforever

Around 40% have addictions or mental illness. Street life is getting to be a way of living for many, especially in warmer climates like Victoria.

Mental illness and addiction are two distinctly different problems. IMO, that statistic is meaningless unless separated out.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

But that's just it.... 60% don't. So, that 60% is syphoning off space and resources dedicated to helping the 40% legitimately needing assistance.

What disgusts me is its not just people begging on street corners... I was actually asked for money at the KFC in frigging Brentwood... that's not exactly downtown.

And let me guess there was a nice "Help Wanted" poster on your way in...