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Across the Fence:  if you had the means .. how would you ...  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 15 2008 : 11:49:48 PM
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Homelessness is a desperate problem here. Our winters allow people, for the most part, to live outdoors year around. Consequently we get a comparatively high number of them.
The first thing I would do would be to re-open mental health assisted living units and hospitals that our ignorant provincial government has closed. It is an embarassment the way people with mental health issues are treated here and a great many end up on the street. Just shameful and so sad.
The other thing I would do would be to cut the welfare payments for the little street rats that "don't want to work for the man". They make me see red! If I live to be 100 I will never understand why they think that society owes them.
Di on VI
Farmgirl Sister #73 |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 05:51:42 AM
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diane .. i've heard that canada has such a wonderful 'health care system' (do you agree with that?) i am soooo surprized that they don't also have great solutions to homelessness.
i saw much more of this when i lived in D.C. (but i do believe we had 'missions' where they could get food and shelter .. some just chose not to .. and yes, sadly, i do believe it is mostly a mental health issue). xo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 06:12:46 AM
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I think homelessness is one of those subjects that is still discussed in quiet tones. It is very rampant here, especially around Atlanta. I agree with you both about the mental health aspect. So many people just do not have the capability to cope in the real world and take to the streets. And Diane hit the nail on the head with her "street rats" comment. They suck the welfare system dry and still expect more, more, more. Welfare was not designed to be a career, it was a temporary assist for an emergency situation. I wish our government would go back to that way of thinking and only allow x amount of money for x amount of time. That would make them have to go out and find themselves a job. What I don't understand is the amount of pride and arrogance in these people that makes them think they are above a certain job. Work is work. Plain and simple. Take a job, own it and do your best.
Anyway- hopping off my soap box now. To answer the original question- I would be able to give more to those people I see in true need, and spend some time getting to know them. There was a man a few weeks ago, who was on the side of the road with his dog. It was stinking hot out and this man had placed the dog under an umbrella, out of the sun, and he had a big plastic bowl of water for him as well. The man was hot, sweating and tired. I gave him what I had, $7, and wished I could have given him more. He thanked me, turned around and went to show his dog the gift he had just been given and I drove away crying. What a sweet man. I wish I could have stayed to talk to him.
So, yes, I would give more and take time to learn their stories.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
Wherever you go, there you are.
www.madrekarin.blogspot.com
www.madrekarin.etsy.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 06:29:17 AM
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First of all, I would make housing more affordable in line with raising the minimum wage to at least $8 an hour and school the employers NOT to treat them as somehow lower class. I worked as a housekeeper and the manager talked down to all those woman, no wonder they didn't feel good about themselves. Transitional housing that actually would be run with some pride and $$$, so these people could live there for 6 months until they got on their feet. I would have rules as in you have to save 10% of your income, being able to show proof, no drinking, no drugs or design actual programs that work immediatley and not take a year to get into, offer standard health services such a check ups, shots, small ailments, resume/work grooming classes that just don't spit out the standard information, cooking/budgeting classes with actual hands on training, and a requirement that you mentor a homeless person just starting for 1 year after you get on your feet. I would also ensure more check up/follow up with the people. I think alot of people get help, get going and then get forgotten about.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 09:05:48 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by CabinCreek-Kentucky
diane .. i've heard that canada has such a wonderful 'health care system' (do you agree with that?) i am soooo surprized that they don't also have great solutions to homelessness.
I believe that the majority of people who live here take for granted just how lucky we are to have the health care we do. I can pick my own family doctor, but must have his referral to see any kind of specialist. I'm not sure of family rate, I think $136/mo and for my dh and I it is $96/mo for full health insurance. Nothing else costs us a penny, not specialized tests, lab work, etc. We do have to pay for prescriptions, but in most cases even they are subsidized based on family income. We have free neighborhood walkin clinics staffed by good doctors for evenings and weekends. Surgical wait lists can be long, but are prioritized...an apendectomy obviously would be done this afternoon, but a hip replacement might take a year.
Our biggest problem here is critical staffing shortage. The Courtnall brothers (of hockey fame) built a beautiful emergency mental health unit at one of our big hospitals. Unfortunately it is not running as it should due to staff shortages. Anyone in health care that wants to work here could have a job tomorrow in any capacity. Unfortunately morale is low due to being overworked.
But this problem also lies with our provincial gov't. who has cut budgets to minimum operating expenses, closed many hospitals, contracted out services, etc. We have far too many administration positions and not enough employees doing the actual work.
I could go on and on...all in all we are very fortunate as long as you don't require rehabilitation or mental health care. My dd will tell you how heartwrenching it is to have people come into emerg suicidal or very depressed and being given a pill and sent on their way and the next time you see them it is as a trauma. No excuse for that, but there is no longterm help available for them.
Di |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 09:17:46 AM
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It's really sad up here. There are a lot of homeless people but I also know there are several homeless shelters and lots of great programs to help people get ahead. If I had the means, I would probably help the programs that are already in place. Often times, the wait time is just because they don't have the money to help all who need it. Every day I see homeless people and everyday I am thankful for my husband's job and our home. I am thankful that we have a savings account and that we don't have to live on the street or in our car.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 12:51:54 PM
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Diane, I was amazed that when we got our health cards here in Ontario, I asked about premiums (since I had to pay them in BC too) and they said there weren't any. Every thing's covered (except dental) I was surprised. Finding a family doctor though is another matter. BC's prov. gov't has just cut and cut. I remember when Gordon Campbell came out to UBC (after he took off the tuition freeze and tuition jumped 30%!) his welcome was not as happy as he would have hoped ;)
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 1:50:39 PM
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Realistically, right now, I'd do what I can in my area and grow some vegetables and give a percentage of that to those that needed it. My family has a couple of acres of perfect farmland and we always say it could feed the whole town that it is in... and we are currently talking about doing something with it. Your question made me start thinking, thank you, Frannie!
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://maggiemerch.blogspot.com |
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iloveprims
True Blue Farmgirl
154 Posts
TRACY
Phillipsburg
NJ
USA
154 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 2:41:16 PM
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I would make housing more affordable and get those people out of housing that are just abusing the system (i.e hiding income, have a BF stay there and is working, etc.) I would also grow my own veggies and hand them out to the homeless people, make huge dinners and invite the homeless.
http://wantingtobeme.blogspot.com |
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Across the Fence: if you had the means .. how would you ... |
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if you had the means .. how would you ...
