International Falls Journal - Homelessness in Borderland, By LAUREL BEAGER, Editor - Comments

Call the Salvation Army -

KootascaEmployed — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:28:27 -0600

Call the Salvation Army - 283-3394 - currently, they are in need of servers for the Thanksgiving meal and they are always in need of bell ringers! :) Volunteer to read at the schools or Head Start. Volunteer to be an advocate with The Sunrise Center or Friends Against Abuse. There are many opportunities out there and there are definitely more opportunities than volunteers!

HOMELESSNESS HUNGER Does

raincat — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:09:17 -0600

HOMELESSNESS HUNGER

Does volunteering at Backus "help"?

How does a person volunteer or support the committees in charge of this???

I would like an answer. I have more time than money right now. I have able-bodied teenagers that could stand to give something back.

I'm really glad there is a

Peanuts — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:55:41 -0600

I'm really glad there is a bright side. Guess I was raised in the 'working poor' class, and we spent months trying to convince my parents whom are in their 80's, and worked since forever (and my dad is a Vet) that they should apply for medical assistance of some form. They finally applied and qualified and were doing better, my dad is partially paralyzed-not from the war,so medical is quite spendy. A couple of months ago they decided to move from the farm into senior housing and someone falsely reported that they would be renting the farm out for big $$'s, so their medical was cut. They will not re-apply, pride is preventing them. It's such a sad situation, I tell them they've paid their taxes for all of these years they should take whatever services they can, they've paid the price. They would rather do without at this stage of their lives than loose their pride. Sorry this isn't in Kooch County, so I probably shouldn't be writing about it here but I find the whole 'system' so frustrating.

Yes, there are some that

KootascaEmployed — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:27:46 -0600

Yes, there are some that need help that don't ask. Many seniors are eligible for programs, but are hesitant to apply. Another group is the working poor that were raised middle class - that middle class pride keeps them from asking for help. That doesn't negate those who do ask for help. I truly believe that there are many that ask for help that need it, too. They aren't looking for a hand-out, they are looking for a hand-up - a hand to help them get up and out of their current situation. I think that they are very brave to have to come into my office and say, "Yes,I need help."

The ones who use the system may stand out more, sometimes - but I choose to focus on the ones who truly have needs and in my limited experience the needs always have out weighed the ones who use the system.

One of the sad things is

Peanuts — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:35:57 -0600

One of the sad things is though, the people who really need and deserve the help are usually to proud to ask for it. I don't mind helping those in need, but usually the first ones in line for a hand-out are the ones that are most capable of landing a job, even though they seem to think they don't have to work if the job is 'beneath' them. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a homeless shelter here in IF. If I were on the staff I probably would throw out most of the applicants and go out in search of the truly homeless people and drag them into the shelter.

I whole-heartedly agree with

KootascaEmployed — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:29:22 -0600

I whole-heartedly agree with you. There is still much that needs to be done before we will get something off the ground. Jobs, staff, etc. will all be things that have to be looked at and discussed.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to the problem. Even solutions will take time, effort and money.

I am very thankful for the volunteers we do have on the Housing Issues Advisory Committee, they do a wonderful job of giving input and insight into this issue. Hopefully, with the community's help and support we can get some sort of shelter or halfway house up in the Falls soon. It is a HUGE need!

It is nice to look for

raincat — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:19:34 -0600

It is nice to look for buildings. However, whatever is done will require people.

An important part of planning might be to look at "job descriptions" for volunteers and paid staff.

Rather than create more jobs that require high levels of education, maybe minimal training could occur through the community college. Maybe the jobs can be "entry level" jobs for people that do not have big degrees. And maybe we can teach our children compassion while caring for our homeless.

So many very vulnerable people are homeless. I think it is important to ensure that safety is a high priority.

Schmitty53, Great link!!

roj2000 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:52:29 -0600

Schmitty53,

Great link!! Thanks.

six-shooter, That is a

roj2000 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:50:27 -0600

six-shooter,

That is a "good" link! Thanks alot!!

Not being too computer

six-shooter — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:53:08 -0600

Not being too computer savvy, I believe if you go to http://www.naeh.org/ you should find the article . It was on my yahoo home page. If that isn't want you want I'll look again.

Homeless "break down" I

Schmitty53 — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:47:05 -0600

Homeless "break down" I believe this is the article referred to.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21678030/

How about a "break down" of

roj2000 — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:13:06 -0600

How about a "break down" of the demographics, regarding the "Veterns". Why are they homeless?? Just curious!!

Just read on my home page

six-shooter — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:03:35 -0600

Just read on my home page news that 1 out of 4 homeless people are veterans. This study was done by the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The study was based on #'s from the Veterans Affairs and the Census Bureau. How sad is this?

I've read the concerns of

raincat — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:48:27 -0600

I've read the concerns of the landlords.
I pay taxes here.

Sometimes I think that the folks that would like a "leg up" or "free ride" should be required to demonstrate reasonable respect for others and a willingness to work for what they get before they are allowed the privilege of living in taxpayer supported, privately owned housing.

Maybe some version of a supervised and secure housing thing that is not quite so cushy (and built to be very damage-resistant and easily cleaned) would help homeless people transition into responsible, tax-paying citizens. Kind of like efficiency apartments.

Sort of an intermediate step between the shelter and "privilege" - ie no pets, no booze, no drugs, but personal privacy, healthy recreation and volunteer/networking opportunities. AB/Backus? Plant some grass, provide reasonably priced regular public transportation...

Sounds like people are on

roj2000 — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:23:56 -0600

Sounds like people are on the "same page" now, that we got our "jib-jab's" at each other, out of the way! I just wish I could be up their to lend a hand in some way. Maybe when I retire in a few years, this can be a "constructive" way to volunteer/use my time. I plan to spend quite a bit of time back in "my home town"! Believe it or not, I almost became the Manager of one of our largest homeless shelters down here when I retired from the Navy 15 years ago. But, another job came along, so instead I volunteer at the shelter! Ours is very large, and it takes alot of work to manage it, get donations/funding, etc.... to keep it running. So, I feel for you all, when you are having to start from the ground up. I drove by the shelter just a couple hours ago, and I saw families sitting down the street from the shelters and it was so sad to see. Especially since Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. I also help with the Ronald McDonald House, and that is a great organization! It's nothing fancy, but at least the families have somewhere to sleep and relax while staying close to their chilren in the Medical University Hospital. But, I have actually have had families complain because they don't have a TV in their rooms. But, as you say, don't focus on the bad apples, because 95% of the families really appreciate what "the house" has to offer. So, I wish you all luck, and if I can help in some small way, from "down south" pls let me know. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Homelessness in Borderland, By LAUREL BEAGER, Editor

Laurel Beager — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:00:00 -0600

What does it mean to be homeless?

The answers from third and fourth graders at Falls Elementary School Tuesday were revealing.