Retraining camps for the homeless

[peeonme]

Just thought that I would give you guys an update, I contacted the schools president and they are fundraising right now for a program for 18-24 year olds that are displaced with issues such as depression, substance abuse and other issues. They will launch this program in 2024. I told them I want to donate. Hpoefully this type of program will catch on.
This will include job training as well!

 

[rareboy]

Sounds like a worthy cause...and hopefully they will be able to help this very vulnerable age group.

Again though...it is shocking that people have to fundraise to make community based mental health care possible.

 

[peeonme]

Sounds like a worthy cause...and hopefully they will be able to help this very vulnerable age group.

Again though...it is shocking that people have to fundraise to make community based mental health care possible.

When we think of the trillions of dollars spent on wars, it's a crime. But, my personal motto is to do what I can with what I have, while I can.

 

[rareboy]

When we think of the trillions of dollars spent on wars, it's a crime. But, my personal motto is to do what I can with what I have, while I can.

noble thinking

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

So, before you started doing work in your community you didn't know about gay street kids who were tossed out like yesterday's trash by their friends and families? Seriously?

Imagine that.

Correct, gay black youth stories never even made it to the airwaves and yt gaydom is an exclusive barely integrated social club wherein everything is glamour and sex so tales of homeless youth were foreign to me. I didn't think there was need for concern since certain demographics exalt themselves as Gods and tout the world they created as peak functionality so my natural assumption would've been "there's a program for that displaced gay youth."

Nations run by youknowwho are fucked. Imagine that.

 

[Dominus]

Speaking as someone who used to take in homeless youths, trust me there are many different sides to the problem. No amount of money being thrown at it will solve the issue of homelessness.

 

[metta]

Speaking as someone who used to take in homeless youths, trust me there are many different sides to the problem. No amount of money being thrown at it will solve the issue of homelessness.

That is true. But that should not stop us from working on solutions for it. Or else it just gets worse.

 

[peeonme]

Speaking as someone who used to take in homeless youths, trust me there are many different sides to the problem. No amount of money being thrown at it will solve the issue of homelessness.

Money will help make some homeless people self sufficient or even productive. Money will feed and house those who aren't able to become self sufficient. Money will provide mental health care to those who need it. There is a difference between dealing with a problem and solving a problem.

I have taken young men into my home, after being ripped off for thousands of dollars I stopped that approach. I found mentoring and encouragement works well and is safer. Some people will slip though the cracks, it's inevitable. The question is whether we ignore them or help them. When I say "we" I am talking about both an individual effort coupled with a community or government approach.

 

[Dominus]

That is true. But that should not stop us from working on solutions for it. Or else it just gets worse.

Solution for it is actually quite simple. Unfortunately, political correctness prevents me from bringing it up.

 

[johaninsc]

Solution for it is actually quite simple. Unfortunately, political correctness prevents me from bringing it up.

Would it include slave/forced labor concentration camps?

 

[Dominus]

Would it include slave/forced labor concentration camps?

Um, no. Not even close.

I've brought it up before. But instead of trying to understand where I'm coming from people purposefully misunderstood my intentions.

Hint. Family.

 

[Peloso]

Just say it. Or dm me. I'm hard to offend.

 

[rareboy]

Um, no. Not even close.

I've brought it up before. But instead of trying to understand where I'm coming from people purposefully misunderstood my intentions.

Hint. Family.

Hint.

Most homeless people don't have one. Or one that can give them a home.

 

[peeonme]

Um, no. Not even close.

I've brought it up before. But instead of trying to understand where I'm coming from people purposefully misunderstood my intentions.

Hint. Family.

Gotcha on the family. After my dad died we had a "couch surfer" (my mom's half brother) move in with us after he and his wife divorced. He stayed with us for 3 years and tormented me day and night (I was 9) he went so far as to pour scalding water on me. He was in his 30's at the time. When we finally moved he found another family members couch to claim as his domain.

Dysfunctional people need training and counseling (at least) to help them become responsible, productive and self sufficient people.

 

[rareboy]

People are always looking for the easy answers with the homeless.

But it seems none of them come without conditions or judgement.

I have a friend...who came from one of the richest families in Toronto...and his brother was schizoid....and just could not be housed or helped....can you even begin to imagine the dilemma this caused for his family? In an environment where any amount of resources could be brought to bear...either privately or through universal health care....and that there was no way to help?????

As I have intimated...I have decades of association with trying to accommodate those with mental illness in housing.

Please don't suggest facile solutions.

The solution is to meet people where they are and to do anything to save their lives at that moment.

 

[Peloso]

Dysfunctional people need training and counseling (at least) to help them become responsible, productive and self sufficient people.

This kind of thinking is a very large part of the problem.

I don't think you have any idea how fast and easy it is to go from responsible, productive and self-sufficient to homeless. Especially in America.

You can't categorize homeless people and then think doing so will somehow help. That the reasons for homelessness are on a spectrum as big and complicated as sexuality.

Being homeless changes you. It forces you to adjust your outlook, your behavior and even your morality in order to just survive.

It would be nice if, when looking at the homeless, we tried to see who they were before homelessness stripped them of a lot of their humanity.

Sure, plenty of homeless people are monsters. But they would still be monsters if given a deluxe penthouse, a cushy job, and more money than they will ever need. The only difference is that instead of "homeless", they would be called ''capitalists".

Why do we look the other way when the wealthy commit horrendous acts of systemic evil that compromise thousands of people but lose our shit when we see a homeless person pissing in public?

 

[rareboy]

You meet people where they are.

Plenty of homeless are not 'monsters'.

But they have to deal with their monsters every hour of every day.

Feed our brothers and sisters. Shelter them.

Is this really so hard?

 

[peeonme]

This kind of thinking is a very large part of the problem.

I don't think you have any idea how fast and easy it is to go from responsible, productive and self-sufficient to homeless. Especially in America.

You can't categorize homeless people and then think doing so will somehow help. That the reasons for homelessness are on a spectrum as big and complicated as sexuality.

Being homeless changes you. It forces you to adjust your outlook, your behavior and even your morality in order to just survive.

It would be nice if, when looking at the homeless, we tried to see who they were before homelessness stripped them of a lot of their humanity.

Sure, plenty of homeless people are monsters. But they would still be monsters if given a deluxe penthouse, a cushy job, and more money than they will ever need. The only difference is that instead of "homeless", they would be called ''capitalists".

Why do we look the other way when the wealthy commit horrendous acts of systemic evil that compromise thousands of people but lose our shit when we see a homeless person pissing in public?

I never referred to homeless people as monsters, there are indeed many reasons why a person can be homeless. Unfortunately it can happen in the blink of an eye for some, a pink slip to a worker who is already behind on rent or a work injury where a person has to wait for workers comp. or battle social security for disability can put one on the street.

Many families and others that are willing to help have been "burned" by those that they seek to help. Taking in a family member that has hit a bad streak is different than taking in one who is known to have bounced from home to home and ripped off anyone that they could. Taking in a complete stranger is, in my opinion, reckless.

Many dysfunctional, homeless folks come from dysfunctional homes where the bills didn't get paid, parents fought and argued and skills abought holding a job, making up a budget where never used.

I don't worry about the rich... they have there own degree of dysfunction. Hating on them feeds no one.

 

[Dominus]

Hey guys, let me be clear on something. I am not suggesting homeless people couch surf around at their family residences. What I mean is a lot deeper.

That said, my solution is politically not correct. It also rubs a lot of people the wrong way. Hence I'm simply not interested in having y'all descend upon me with a vengeance. I just want you to know I'm not suggesting homeless people couch surf with family.

 

[gsdx]

^ Yet you keep bringing it up. It makes us question your motives.