First, I would like to say thanks once again to all shelters for feeding the homeless. I hope you will continue to help those that are less fortunate. Shelters provide 3 meals a day to over 4000 that are either on the street or in the shelter system. It is very wonderful that you are doing this and continue to do so. However there is one change that is needed to save this earth, PLEASE stop using Styrofoam plates, bowls and cups, as well as plastic cutlery. You are not doing any good for the environment. I think it is about time you reconsidered this practice that is in place. Do you realize how long it takes to dispose of Styrofoam and plastic? I do believe it takes many years and it is very harmful to the environment! Please, if you don’t agree I would be happy to hear your comments!! Again, PLEASE stop killing our planet and let’s get back to real dishes already!
Tim Barber
Homeless but not without HOPE
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Cheese With Your Whine 2
Yes, I've heard it on the gripe-vine:
"It's Shake-It-To-Me Time": Safeway offers a shelter "Nutritional Shake plus calories", 360 calories per 237ml bottle, lactose and gluten free. A young man screams that the best-before date has expired, so the cafeteria manager tries to explain that it is a shelter, and not a restaurant. Another young man yells loudly, "I won't drink this, it contains 33% iron." If he examined that nutrition table and added all of the percentages up, he should know he is wrong when the total is greater than 100%. If the iron content was that high, the container could be picked up by a powerful magnet. Well, it can be picked up by the magnet, as there is a steel disk in the lid... The bottle top says "Shake well". Because of the shape of the bottle and the way that it was filled in the factory, not everything gets mixed together unless vigorously shaken for several minutes. Some people interpret the lumps that pour out as a sign of spoilage. The bottle resembles that which contains the "Ensure" product.
Many shelter residents are anti-social and selfish. They are disrespectful of other's rights or space, jump lines when they feel like it, utter scandalous, defamatory, or derogatory remarks and threats at other residents. They should be in remote bush camps, not a civilized city. From the frequent unhealthy and unsafe state of the washrooms, many were never toilet-trained.
Something happens to those persons who are smokers. Their distance perception is impaired, so that they never obey the bylaw that states they are to smoke 5 meters away from the building. They leave their butts for others to walk indoors on their soles. And some smoke in the washrooms rather than go outside, which is a violation of fire and health regulations, in addition to city bylaws. (Maybe their consciences are replaced by nicotine addiction?)
"Internal clients" are discriminated against, as some services and items such as bread and food hampers are only offered to external clients. The fact that internal clients may depend on these because of their financial situation is ignored. Some of the fortunate "external clients" that receive large quantities of free bread are flocks of Mallard ducks and Canada Geese that decided to stay in the city for winter instead of migrate. I guess they are homeless, too...
The food services only offers clients consideration for their health and diet needs only if they are registered in a meal plan. Others cannot obtain alternate meals, saved meals, takeout containers, or even respect from servers in exchange for their cash to buy meal tickets. The posted menu only partly agrees with what is actually served, and contains mystery "Chef's Special" meals for several meals (which makes it difficult for non-plan clients to plan ahead for where they will dine). And there are armed, uniformed, arrogant, and intimidating security guards present to discourage those who attempt to protest about the meal service practices.
To access rooms in the shelter, magnetic stripe identity cards are employed. These frequently stop working, occasionally at embarassing times such as when someone returns from the shower. The card must be taken to the main floor counter to be reprogrammed, showing off the holder's physique or scant state of dress to all those loiterers who inhabit the lobby area. Staff offer excuses, such as being near magnetic fields. (This client's bank card has been exposed to the same "fields" and has never had to be reinitialized during his stay.)
The room is frequently very cold, with no heat, and with only a small blanket for comfort. Perhaps a person in another room with the thermostat is a fresh air fiend, or maybe he is just keeping his beer chilled. It is also not possible to heat water in the room, with the only hot water being available from the cafeteria during mealtimes.
The front staff desk is frequently understaffed, resulting in abnormally long waits for simple transactions. And there are numerous "Mom notes", telling that they will not refund meal tickets without a "team leader's" approval, for example. At no time have they explained exactly which team leader is responsible for each client, or what their functions are (other than to harass residents). The staff also seem to be undertrained and uninformed, perhaps part of an internal policy that states that they are to make residents feel unwelcome there at all times, that those who are homeless are an encumbrance to their operation.
Which brings us back to those numerous posters hung on the walls, which proclaim what services the shelters offer to the clients. More often candidates for "fictitious advertising" awards than for honest, truthful descriptions of what really happens within those shelters. But why should they be any different? The Provincial Government displays equally deceptive posters and advertising of what they offer to homeless and unemployed persons. Pro-business but not pro-ethics, nor respect for basic human rights.
As stated in one of Firesign Theatre's albums, "The humiliation and total degradation of ...You, the Little Guy".
Written by Anonymous45
"It's Shake-It-To-Me Time": Safeway offers a shelter "Nutritional Shake plus calories", 360 calories per 237ml bottle, lactose and gluten free. A young man screams that the best-before date has expired, so the cafeteria manager tries to explain that it is a shelter, and not a restaurant. Another young man yells loudly, "I won't drink this, it contains 33% iron." If he examined that nutrition table and added all of the percentages up, he should know he is wrong when the total is greater than 100%. If the iron content was that high, the container could be picked up by a powerful magnet. Well, it can be picked up by the magnet, as there is a steel disk in the lid... The bottle top says "Shake well". Because of the shape of the bottle and the way that it was filled in the factory, not everything gets mixed together unless vigorously shaken for several minutes. Some people interpret the lumps that pour out as a sign of spoilage. The bottle resembles that which contains the "Ensure" product.
Many shelter residents are anti-social and selfish. They are disrespectful of other's rights or space, jump lines when they feel like it, utter scandalous, defamatory, or derogatory remarks and threats at other residents. They should be in remote bush camps, not a civilized city. From the frequent unhealthy and unsafe state of the washrooms, many were never toilet-trained.
Something happens to those persons who are smokers. Their distance perception is impaired, so that they never obey the bylaw that states they are to smoke 5 meters away from the building. They leave their butts for others to walk indoors on their soles. And some smoke in the washrooms rather than go outside, which is a violation of fire and health regulations, in addition to city bylaws. (Maybe their consciences are replaced by nicotine addiction?)
"Internal clients" are discriminated against, as some services and items such as bread and food hampers are only offered to external clients. The fact that internal clients may depend on these because of their financial situation is ignored. Some of the fortunate "external clients" that receive large quantities of free bread are flocks of Mallard ducks and Canada Geese that decided to stay in the city for winter instead of migrate. I guess they are homeless, too...
The food services only offers clients consideration for their health and diet needs only if they are registered in a meal plan. Others cannot obtain alternate meals, saved meals, takeout containers, or even respect from servers in exchange for their cash to buy meal tickets. The posted menu only partly agrees with what is actually served, and contains mystery "Chef's Special" meals for several meals (which makes it difficult for non-plan clients to plan ahead for where they will dine). And there are armed, uniformed, arrogant, and intimidating security guards present to discourage those who attempt to protest about the meal service practices.
To access rooms in the shelter, magnetic stripe identity cards are employed. These frequently stop working, occasionally at embarassing times such as when someone returns from the shower. The card must be taken to the main floor counter to be reprogrammed, showing off the holder's physique or scant state of dress to all those loiterers who inhabit the lobby area. Staff offer excuses, such as being near magnetic fields. (This client's bank card has been exposed to the same "fields" and has never had to be reinitialized during his stay.)
The room is frequently very cold, with no heat, and with only a small blanket for comfort. Perhaps a person in another room with the thermostat is a fresh air fiend, or maybe he is just keeping his beer chilled. It is also not possible to heat water in the room, with the only hot water being available from the cafeteria during mealtimes.
The front staff desk is frequently understaffed, resulting in abnormally long waits for simple transactions. And there are numerous "Mom notes", telling that they will not refund meal tickets without a "team leader's" approval, for example. At no time have they explained exactly which team leader is responsible for each client, or what their functions are (other than to harass residents). The staff also seem to be undertrained and uninformed, perhaps part of an internal policy that states that they are to make residents feel unwelcome there at all times, that those who are homeless are an encumbrance to their operation.
Which brings us back to those numerous posters hung on the walls, which proclaim what services the shelters offer to the clients. More often candidates for "fictitious advertising" awards than for honest, truthful descriptions of what really happens within those shelters. But why should they be any different? The Provincial Government displays equally deceptive posters and advertising of what they offer to homeless and unemployed persons. Pro-business but not pro-ethics, nor respect for basic human rights.
As stated in one of Firesign Theatre's albums, "The humiliation and total degradation of ...You, the Little Guy".
Written by Anonymous45
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Life Events that Flow from My Biography and A Rationale Against Manufacturing Homelessness
The biographical events and experiences that we pass through as oftentimes intelligent, sensitive and creative human persons have an immense influence upon those interests, attitudes and capacities that we acquire, change and practise during our long careers as members of the planet Earth and of a particular home community. Clearly, these encounters are ones that intersubjectively confront us as persons in the social, emotional, physical and spiritual 'passages' of a long lifetime. We all know that such a personal history has an immense and deeply formative impact upon what we identify, take, and 'attune' ourselves to as ever-changing 'time warriors' living in a world of permanence and change. So, I have not been any different from most of you, when growing up, in being unable to avoid such deep-seated outcomes for how I see the social world. I will mention some of these events in the writing that follows and sketch out their importance for reproducing both homelessness and deep social inequality and the`shunting off``of human potential and the de-legitimation of most forms of actual human dignity.
I was originally a native of the United Kingdom. But as a very young infant my parents and myself became an immigrant family, the only ones amongst any of our relatives, even to this day, who moved to a new country in what the Chinese sometimes call 'Gold Mountain'; that is North America. So, my formative years were spent in eastern Canada and Quebec, growing up in a culturally diverse milieu. Since that time, I have managed to reside in more than 5 countries reaching across Europe, North America and Asia, so far. Presently, I hold citizenship in two nations. My early primary and secondary schooling took place entirely within Canadian public schools. My tertiary schooling features formal and professional training in both social science and education. Later I pursued post-graduate degrees in sociology of education, curriculum theory and educational methods. Unable to stop myself, I further specialized in motivational social psychology, intercultural addictions planning and intervention and, second language acquisition.
As a teacher, writer, CEO and, sometime student of the world I have held a long-term interest in describing, explaining, understanding and 'steering' many of the different social and economic problems as they link with the emergence and personal experience of everyday life and organizational design in post-modern, 'first world' society. In the case of this particular project, I and the other writers of the circle present, discuss and reveal , in our own unique perspectives, many different structural and experiential aspects related to the social problem of 'homelessness'.
As I've shared with you earlier, within my 'BIO' section, it was the better part of a year before I made the wrenching decision to leave my adopted Asian country, which had grown to become a major part of my life, and return to my own country. Through the relative good fortune of available social 'safety nets' in Canada I was able to find a more safe and secure existence in a homeless shelter, along with hundreds of other men and women, some of whom had endured much worse circumstances than had I. Still, for most of the men residents, the shelter was only a shorter or longer stopping place on their journey of privation in which typically only their basic needs could be routinely met.
Because of the diversity or mix of my particular set of interests, skills, capacities and biographical experiences my focus as a blog writer of 'homelessness' will tend, in its early stages, to highlight the institutions and facilities which identify and 'mediate' this chronic social problem within those economically 'advanced' western societies considered by 'global experts' as members of the 'first world'. But the accent of my presentations and discussions may shift in its/their portrayal of 'homelessness' when I make reference and illustrate the patterns and collective responses made by other nations which may be distinctly or qualitatively different in their social, economic, cultural, ethical and historical conceptions, interventions and overall development as related to 'homelessness' phenomena found within their borders. The 'focal length' of my illustrations, and possibly the work of some of the other writers in the project circle, will likely change as `we try to portray the differences in 'treatment' of 'homelessness' as found within those nations more commonly identified as 'developing' and 'lesser developed' societies and economies of the 'second' and 'third' worlds, by the work of 'global experts', once again. As a result, I will try to portray and explain further the common and distinct patterns and functions of 'homelessness' evident within the non-western nations to the extent that I am, as an author, conceptually familiar with or, have had 'grounded experience' or, undergone face-to-face encounters with the phenomena of public and personal expressions of 'homelessness', in these other societies. I will try to use examples that are legitimately observable images or practices which have been accurately described or rationally characterized, and part of a sanctioned wider world system of social and political inequality, endemic neglect and patterned domestic and international repression of identifiable social classes of marginalized 'homeless' persons; who are oftentimes ethnically marked and stigmatized .
Despite the vivid personal experiences and 'rebrutalization' practices, emergent as state sanctioned de-facto homelessness, immediately witnessed and endured by the author, while under different domestic socio-political regimes, over a sustained period of time, and whether such practices were situated in a 'first' or a 'third' world nation it is clear these days that the quality of social space and objective circumstances of this writer are not so perilous as during his previous 12 month period. Certainly the logic of the facility environment surrounding him has become more supportive and yet, at the same time, it has also become more complex, more vigilant and, filled with a greater density of formal expectations and enforced contingencies regarding his and others` conduct. So, even today, the writer you know as Viscount, is still 'perched' relatively close to the harsh realties of homelessness and all its attendant possibilities of destitution and deep demoralization. It is now less clear than ever that the systematic and cynical delivery of homeless facility practices or, the presence of a sustained climate of sinister neglect of persons which demeans, debases and erodes the self-concept, self-esteem, ego collapse and devalidation of individual effectiveness and chronic personal erosion of inherent capacities are the monopoly of only a few totalitarian regimes around our world.....maybe it`s the work of a global or world system of contempt, social control whose purpose is the reproduction of a global system of social inequality.
Viscount currently lives, works and is learning to thrive, once more, in the city of Calgary, Alberta, western Canada, but he plans on dividing his future personal and professional time between different urban centres in Canada, China and elsewhere in exotic Asia. He is the parent of two precious children: one rebellious adult son and one charming adult daughter. They both have taught their father a great deal about good living.
*********************************************************************
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Why is there no more Soup Line at The Center of Hope?
A couple of years ago the Salvation Army Center of Hope had a soup kitchen that was accessible to those that needed it. Anybody that needed a meal used to be able to come every day between 4:00 and 4:30 for a hearty bowl of soup. This included those that were in paid rooms at the Center of Hope. This however is no longer something they do and I believe they should bring it back.
I would like to compliment them for the service they used to provide and encourage them to put it back in place. Saying this, I would also like to point out that I do understand that it was a very costly program and feel that it may be necessary to make some minor changes to make it less costly. I do also understand that they had problems with outside homeless people that were causing some of the problems that shut down this soup line up.
My suggestion would be to provide this service to those that are actual paid clients of the Salvation Army whether it is the Booth clients or Center of Hope clients. This would save them some money and provide at least a meal to those who may be struggling in their transitional housing program.
Even if you provided this service Monday to Friday, I think it would improve the quality of life for those less fortunate. As it stands, you have people who are on assistance receiving limited funds that barely make it through a month. It would help quite a few people. I really hope you consider this.
One Final Note;
Right now you have some of these paid clients coming into the dining area during meal hours looking for leftovers. So this would possibly cut back on people trying to get meals off those in non paid rooms.
By the way, this soup line up wouldn’t apply to those already getting free meals. You could use the same format for the soup kitchen as you do for the non paying clients. That of course is where you use cards and room numbers as a way to track those that are dining.
Just a thought,
Tim Barber
Homeless, but not without HOPE
I would like to compliment them for the service they used to provide and encourage them to put it back in place. Saying this, I would also like to point out that I do understand that it was a very costly program and feel that it may be necessary to make some minor changes to make it less costly. I do also understand that they had problems with outside homeless people that were causing some of the problems that shut down this soup line up.
My suggestion would be to provide this service to those that are actual paid clients of the Salvation Army whether it is the Booth clients or Center of Hope clients. This would save them some money and provide at least a meal to those who may be struggling in their transitional housing program.
Even if you provided this service Monday to Friday, I think it would improve the quality of life for those less fortunate. As it stands, you have people who are on assistance receiving limited funds that barely make it through a month. It would help quite a few people. I really hope you consider this.
One Final Note;
Right now you have some of these paid clients coming into the dining area during meal hours looking for leftovers. So this would possibly cut back on people trying to get meals off those in non paid rooms.
By the way, this soup line up wouldn’t apply to those already getting free meals. You could use the same format for the soup kitchen as you do for the non paying clients. That of course is where you use cards and room numbers as a way to track those that are dining.
Just a thought,
Tim Barber
Homeless, but not without HOPE
Would You Like Some Cheese With Your Whine?
Oh, I've heard it on the gripe-vine:
A construction worker, obvious from his new-looking safety vest and coveralls, stands in line at a Shelter offering free boots. A volunteer sees him walk away with a new pair of safety boots, climb into a new-looking 3/4-ton truck with extended cab in the parking lot, and drive away. Obviously, he could afford to have bought the boots.
Another construction worker brags about how he banks his pay cheque by staying at a shelter, as he waits in line for a lower-cost meal than available elsewhere. He saves $26,000 in 6 months, then takes the rest of the year off from working. The shelters are geographically convenient for migrant trades workers to use.
As the author was walking across a steel bridge, on his way to his favorite restaurant on General Avenue, he sees two policemen stopping everyone as they approach the end of the bridge. He anticipates being questioned, but the officers tell him, "Sir, you can go ahead." Presumably, the officers are attempting to reduce the crime wave in the neighbourhood by redirecting shelter residents and street people away from
that side of the river.
An article in a community newsletter magazine tells of how the residents gathered to assemble a new set of playground equipment for children. It goes on to say that it hopes local improvements like that will discourage "marginalized" members of society from lingering there. Without a consideration that some of those
"marginalized" persons did not choose to be in that state, but that other persons and circumstances chose it for them.
A man in the dining room in a shelter frequently utters phrases, but when you look at him, they are directed to no one in particular. Some of the remarks are demeaning or derogatory, the behaviour is disrespectful. People nearby are stressed, as this person drums his fingertips on the table every few minutes. He finally stands up to leave, and declares "I am not on drugs." Perhaps he should be?
The posters of the mission statements of shelters and others telling of how they help and respect those who seek help from them bear little resemblance to the over rule-bound and lack of respect displayed by the staff to clients. An example is their "revolving-door" eviction policy. Someone sneezes, a quick check is made of their record in the computer by a sometimes-alert staff member. Has the sneezer had an H1N1 flu shot? No! He is evicted. Oh, sure, he can come back in after waiting the prescribed time. Where can he stay in the meantime? That's the person's problem, not the shelter's. They have hundreds of people waiting to get in, so they use the slightest excuse to clear a bed for another one of them. Instead of being helpful, supportive, and assisting, they rule the establishment by fear and fault-finding. Exactly the atmosphere that ensures that some persons will be forever trapped and dehumanized in the system, rather than lent a helping hand to climb back out into the rest of society that shuns the "marginalized" portion of the city residents, even though large numbers of them are one paycheque away from falling into the same plight.
_____
"Trays Bien": As a result of a severe shortage of trays in a shelter's cafeteria, the operator decides that the "no trays to be removed" clause in the posted "Operating Philosophy" is to be enforced by hired security guards. They eagerly accept the job, harassing those who need to put away a meal for later, because of a meeting that they need to attend. Arguments that the tray will be returned a few minutes later are not accepted. Because of the "Philosophy" and shelter's meal rules, meals can only be saved by those residents that opt into a "meal plan". The security guard says that he will look after what is left at his counter while the person makes multiple trips. The person returns to find said "rent-a-cop", not at his post, but standing in line for his meal. When confronted, he gives no respect or apology, but some meaningless remark instead. On another occasion, the door to the dining room is closed and locked to outsiders, so the person has to wait for someone to leave by that door, before he can get the rest of his meal.
Other persons, who manage to acquire a white tray, are allowed to use it and leave undisturbed with it. Discriminatory? Yes, but there is probably a clause in the
"Philosophy" that allows the cafeteria to get away with it. After all, it's THEIR rules. The "Operating Philosophy" is really a one-sided manifesto, demanding rather than earning respect of the cafeteria's clients. With no assurance of respect for the clients, in return. They threaten to use the brute force, harassment, and
intimidation from rented armed security guards to obtain that respect if it is not given in response. The person who the dining room was named after would probably roll in her grave if she witnessed what takes place in that food establishment, with that "Philosophy".
____
A construction company, with the odd name of "Stephen the Worker", closes off a street and sidewalks which lead to a bridge that crosses the river. No information is given about alternate routes, instead the foreman threatens to charge the pedestrian with trespassing. The construction company's "over-holding" of access routes is so excessive, that a homeless shelter is almost totally isolated from the rest of the city. Residents and visitors and even volunteers and staff have to figure out where an access path is to the building. And where are the law enforcement people who would normally inspect and verify that there is always an access path available? Why, they are guarding a parking lot, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, all year round if necessary. And what is so special about this
parking lot? It is a lot used by patrons of a Police Association building. And why was it necessary to guard the lot? Because the normal security-key access gate was no longer accessible, because of "Stephen the Worker" and other Destruction Company activities in the area. The access streets were tore up (several times, in fact, once for each Futility?), and they had to open a section of fence to allow vehicles to use the lot. Where is this lot? Just a mere stone's throw from the homeless shelter building with the moat dug around it.
Written by Anonymous45
A construction worker, obvious from his new-looking safety vest and coveralls, stands in line at a Shelter offering free boots. A volunteer sees him walk away with a new pair of safety boots, climb into a new-looking 3/4-ton truck with extended cab in the parking lot, and drive away. Obviously, he could afford to have bought the boots.
Another construction worker brags about how he banks his pay cheque by staying at a shelter, as he waits in line for a lower-cost meal than available elsewhere. He saves $26,000 in 6 months, then takes the rest of the year off from working. The shelters are geographically convenient for migrant trades workers to use.
As the author was walking across a steel bridge, on his way to his favorite restaurant on General Avenue, he sees two policemen stopping everyone as they approach the end of the bridge. He anticipates being questioned, but the officers tell him, "Sir, you can go ahead." Presumably, the officers are attempting to reduce the crime wave in the neighbourhood by redirecting shelter residents and street people away from
that side of the river.
An article in a community newsletter magazine tells of how the residents gathered to assemble a new set of playground equipment for children. It goes on to say that it hopes local improvements like that will discourage "marginalized" members of society from lingering there. Without a consideration that some of those
"marginalized" persons did not choose to be in that state, but that other persons and circumstances chose it for them.
A man in the dining room in a shelter frequently utters phrases, but when you look at him, they are directed to no one in particular. Some of the remarks are demeaning or derogatory, the behaviour is disrespectful. People nearby are stressed, as this person drums his fingertips on the table every few minutes. He finally stands up to leave, and declares "I am not on drugs." Perhaps he should be?
The posters of the mission statements of shelters and others telling of how they help and respect those who seek help from them bear little resemblance to the over rule-bound and lack of respect displayed by the staff to clients. An example is their "revolving-door" eviction policy. Someone sneezes, a quick check is made of their record in the computer by a sometimes-alert staff member. Has the sneezer had an H1N1 flu shot? No! He is evicted. Oh, sure, he can come back in after waiting the prescribed time. Where can he stay in the meantime? That's the person's problem, not the shelter's. They have hundreds of people waiting to get in, so they use the slightest excuse to clear a bed for another one of them. Instead of being helpful, supportive, and assisting, they rule the establishment by fear and fault-finding. Exactly the atmosphere that ensures that some persons will be forever trapped and dehumanized in the system, rather than lent a helping hand to climb back out into the rest of society that shuns the "marginalized" portion of the city residents, even though large numbers of them are one paycheque away from falling into the same plight.
_____
"Trays Bien": As a result of a severe shortage of trays in a shelter's cafeteria, the operator decides that the "no trays to be removed" clause in the posted "Operating Philosophy" is to be enforced by hired security guards. They eagerly accept the job, harassing those who need to put away a meal for later, because of a meeting that they need to attend. Arguments that the tray will be returned a few minutes later are not accepted. Because of the "Philosophy" and shelter's meal rules, meals can only be saved by those residents that opt into a "meal plan". The security guard says that he will look after what is left at his counter while the person makes multiple trips. The person returns to find said "rent-a-cop", not at his post, but standing in line for his meal. When confronted, he gives no respect or apology, but some meaningless remark instead. On another occasion, the door to the dining room is closed and locked to outsiders, so the person has to wait for someone to leave by that door, before he can get the rest of his meal.
Other persons, who manage to acquire a white tray, are allowed to use it and leave undisturbed with it. Discriminatory? Yes, but there is probably a clause in the
"Philosophy" that allows the cafeteria to get away with it. After all, it's THEIR rules. The "Operating Philosophy" is really a one-sided manifesto, demanding rather than earning respect of the cafeteria's clients. With no assurance of respect for the clients, in return. They threaten to use the brute force, harassment, and
intimidation from rented armed security guards to obtain that respect if it is not given in response. The person who the dining room was named after would probably roll in her grave if she witnessed what takes place in that food establishment, with that "Philosophy".
____
A construction company, with the odd name of "Stephen the Worker", closes off a street and sidewalks which lead to a bridge that crosses the river. No information is given about alternate routes, instead the foreman threatens to charge the pedestrian with trespassing. The construction company's "over-holding" of access routes is so excessive, that a homeless shelter is almost totally isolated from the rest of the city. Residents and visitors and even volunteers and staff have to figure out where an access path is to the building. And where are the law enforcement people who would normally inspect and verify that there is always an access path available? Why, they are guarding a parking lot, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, all year round if necessary. And what is so special about this
parking lot? It is a lot used by patrons of a Police Association building. And why was it necessary to guard the lot? Because the normal security-key access gate was no longer accessible, because of "Stephen the Worker" and other Destruction Company activities in the area. The access streets were tore up (several times, in fact, once for each Futility?), and they had to open a section of fence to allow vehicles to use the lot. Where is this lot? Just a mere stone's throw from the homeless shelter building with the moat dug around it.
Written by Anonymous45
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
New directions to freedom from homelessness.
What sort of directions do we need in order to find the road to a self sustaining life. Feeling that we are accepted in the community and that we will have our basic needs met will allow us to find new directions so that we can flourish again in our own community.
Healthy communities need a mix of people and should include, I believe, a common garden and some self sustaining form of cottage industry. This would help defray overhead costs and provide a share of the community food basket. It will be important for the whole group to agree on a common philosophy, rules and consequences common to all. All would have an income adequate for their needs so that no other group member should feel burdened.
Regards,
AlexS.
Healthy communities need a mix of people and should include, I believe, a common garden and some self sustaining form of cottage industry. This would help defray overhead costs and provide a share of the community food basket. It will be important for the whole group to agree on a common philosophy, rules and consequences common to all. All would have an income adequate for their needs so that no other group member should feel burdened.
Regards,
AlexS.
A Possible Solution! What's Your Opinion?
I was reading an article today that states that there are 4580 homeless either in shelters or living on the street. I also read in that same article that said it costs $100,000 a year to provide for each homeless person.
I decided to do a little math and noted that 458 Million dollars is being spent on the homeless per year. So if these numbers are correct, how come we are not doing more to rid Calgary of our homeless problem?
The way I figure it, we could buy 1200 houses @ a ¼ million each, which would cost 300 million dollars and house all homeless people in Calgary. Please correct me if I am wrong. Basically, if we put 4 people in each house then we would still have room for extra homeless; 220 spaces to be exact.
I think that if the government really wants to help curb homelessness, then let’s save the taxpayers some money and get them housed. By building these houses or even buying houses that are already on the market, the savings over a period of time would be phenomenal. To start we would have 158 million dollars to put into other services that would be essential to helping the homeless.
I realize there are still going to be issues with health care, and other essential needs of those in real housing. However there are already so many volunteers that want to help out and we could still use them. The volunteers could be used as a support network, visiting those that are in need. Some will have more needs than others and there will be those that will be able to live without the help of others.
Some people seem to think that the homeless wouldn’t be able to cope with such a responsibility as being housed in such a dwelling! I don’t agree! You would actually be surprised how smart some of the homeless really are. I know because I am homeless and I have met a lot of different types of homeless people through my life and found that some have very wise attitudes. I believe, given the opportunity, we could change so many homeless lives for the better.
One last comment:
This is just an idea and I hope I can receive comments on this blog, as I wish to hear what your opinion is! Please respond with your thoughts and ideas.
Tim Barber
Homeless but not without Hope
I decided to do a little math and noted that 458 Million dollars is being spent on the homeless per year. So if these numbers are correct, how come we are not doing more to rid Calgary of our homeless problem?
The way I figure it, we could buy 1200 houses @ a ¼ million each, which would cost 300 million dollars and house all homeless people in Calgary. Please correct me if I am wrong. Basically, if we put 4 people in each house then we would still have room for extra homeless; 220 spaces to be exact.
I think that if the government really wants to help curb homelessness, then let’s save the taxpayers some money and get them housed. By building these houses or even buying houses that are already on the market, the savings over a period of time would be phenomenal. To start we would have 158 million dollars to put into other services that would be essential to helping the homeless.
I realize there are still going to be issues with health care, and other essential needs of those in real housing. However there are already so many volunteers that want to help out and we could still use them. The volunteers could be used as a support network, visiting those that are in need. Some will have more needs than others and there will be those that will be able to live without the help of others.
Some people seem to think that the homeless wouldn’t be able to cope with such a responsibility as being housed in such a dwelling! I don’t agree! You would actually be surprised how smart some of the homeless really are. I know because I am homeless and I have met a lot of different types of homeless people through my life and found that some have very wise attitudes. I believe, given the opportunity, we could change so many homeless lives for the better.
One last comment:
This is just an idea and I hope I can receive comments on this blog, as I wish to hear what your opinion is! Please respond with your thoughts and ideas.
Tim Barber
Homeless but not without Hope
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