Comments for The Intermittent Volunteer's Weblog http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com Befriending People in Dallas Who Are Homeless Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:22:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on Changes at the Bridge by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/changes-at-the-bridge/#comment-247 Karen Shafer Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:22:59 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=68#comment-247 Thanks, David. Always an important perspective from 'on the ground.' Karen Thanks, David. Always an important perspective from ‘on the ground.’

Karen

]]> Comment on Changes at the Bridge by David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/changes-at-the-bridge/#comment-245 David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:33:23 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=68#comment-245 Karen: I think your comments about the latest developments at THE BRIDGE are spot on. I don't know all the reasons MDHA canceled its services contract, but I'm thinking it was a necessary step to limit the layers of administration when it comes to helping the homeless. As you are well aware, the best contact with the homeless is up close and personal. I like to say, "thats where the action is". The Bridge is getting slammed with homeless people using the facilities. I think that says a couple of things. One is that the facility is offering good services and the word is getting out to the homeless community that its a safe place to come to. The other thing is that its clear that The Bridge is NOT the final or complete or even semi-complete answer to the homeless problem. This is not a knock on The Bridge. Its simply a realization that it will take a multiple of shelters, food providers, and other care agencies to address the homeless problem. Individuals who thought The Bridge would be the 'cure all' to the homeless problem will be sorely disappointed. Karen as you predicted up front, The Bridge would only be a piece of the puzzle to address the homeless situation. An important piece to be sure, but still only a piece. p.s. Shana (a.k.a. The SoupGirl---also known as my much better half) and I will be volunteering at the dinner service Friday July 4th at The Bridge. It could be a light day for volunteers because of the holiday so I would encourage all of Karen's readers to come and help. Blessings to all. Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan Karen:
I think your comments about the latest developments at THE BRIDGE are spot on. I don’t know all the reasons MDHA canceled its services contract, but I’m thinking it was a necessary step to limit the layers of administration when it comes to helping the homeless. As you are well aware, the best contact with the homeless is up close and personal. I like to say, “thats where the action is”.
The Bridge is getting slammed with homeless people using the facilities. I think that says a couple of things. One is that the facility is offering good services and the word is getting out to the homeless community that its a safe place to come to. The other thing is that its clear that The Bridge is NOT the final or complete or even semi-complete answer to the homeless problem. This is not a knock on The Bridge. Its simply a realization that it will take a multiple of shelters, food providers, and other care agencies to address the homeless problem. Individuals who thought The Bridge would be the ‘cure all’ to the homeless problem will be sorely disappointed. Karen as you predicted up front, The Bridge would only be a piece of the puzzle to address the homeless situation. An important piece to be sure, but still only a piece.
p.s. Shana (a.k.a. The SoupGirl—also known as my much better half) and I will be volunteering at the dinner service Friday July 4th at The Bridge. It could be a light day for volunteers because of the holiday so I would encourage all of Karen’s readers to come and help.
Blessings to all.
Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

]]> Comment on ‘F’ Is For ‘Family’ by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/f-is-for-family/#comment-240 Karen Shafer Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:14:45 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-240 Broken1, I love the sign-in name, by the way! I think you make a really important point about 'enabling', for more than one reason, when you write the following: 'I think about a a member of my family, reluctant to work too hard or deprive himself of the things he thinks he “deserves,” getting to the bottom of his barrel over and over and being rescued by his mother or father every time. On the verge of foreclosure more than once, on the edge of homelessness, he was bailed out by parents unwilling to let his children reap the consequences of his irresponsibility... I have also seen that family can get just plain burned out on trying to help family members who seem bent on self-destruction.' Not only is it a real factor in all kinds of social problems, not just homelessness, when we don't let our loved ones, from childhood on up, experience the consequences of their actions. In that case, we rob them of what nature is set up to teach us, and we convey to them that they are not capable of handling things. In short, we do them no favor, often 'disabling' them. But also, you speak to the exact stereotype that most people have of those who are not 'homed,' as you say. And that stereotype is very far from the reality. There are people who fit the description of your family member on the street, for sure, but they are not in the majority. All of that said, this that you wrote is what I keep coming back to, and it is reinforced by the reality I see meeting the homeless week after week: ' none of us is so far removed from being down and out that we can afford to harshly judge someone else who is.' Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment! Karen Broken1,

I love the sign-in name, by the way!

I think you make a really important point about ‘enabling’, for more than one reason, when you write the following:

‘I think about a a member of my family, reluctant to work too hard or deprive himself of the things he thinks he “deserves,” getting to the bottom of his barrel over and over and being rescued by his mother or father every time. On the verge of foreclosure more than once, on the edge of homelessness, he was bailed out by parents unwilling to let his children reap the consequences of his irresponsibility… I have also seen that family can get just plain burned out on trying to help family members who seem bent on self-destruction.’

Not only is it a real factor in all kinds of social problems, not just homelessness, when we don’t let our loved ones, from childhood on up, experience the consequences of their actions. In that case, we rob them of what nature is set up to teach us, and we convey to them that they are not capable of handling things. In short, we do them no favor, often ‘disabling’ them.

But also, you speak to the exact stereotype that most people have of those who are not ‘homed,’ as you say. And that stereotype is very far from the reality. There are people who fit the description of your family member on the street, for sure, but they are not in the majority.

All of that said, this that you wrote is what I keep coming back to, and it is reinforced by the reality I see meeting the homeless week after week: ‘ none of us is so far removed from being down and out that we can afford to harshly judge someone else who is.’

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment!

Karen

]]> Comment on ‘F’ Is For ‘Family’ by Broken1 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/f-is-for-family/#comment-239 Broken1 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:33:46 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-239 What you wrote made me think about what I've often wondered, which is, what's the difference between the homeless and the homed? I think about a a member of my family, reluctant to work too hard or deprive himself of the things he thinks he "deserves," getting to the bottom of his barrel over and over and being rescued by his mother or father every time. On the verge of foreclosure more than once, on the edge of homelessness, he was bailed out by parents unwilling to let his children reap the consequences of his irresponsibility. I feel sure I would have felt exactly the same way if he had turned to me for help. Is the difference simply running out of family members who are willing or able to rescue us when we inadvertently or even advertently fall onto hard times? As Nancy said, there are so many families that are made up of people who are all just barely scraping by; and even if you've never been there yourself, you can't underestimate the emotional debility of being "absolutely beaten down by poverty." I have also seen that family can get just plain burned out on trying to help family members who seem bent on self-destruction. There are so many factors that determine our fates--among them luck and choices, but choices made largely because of the luck of when and where and to whom we were born. I don't have an answer for "why" some of us have homes and some of us don't, but one thing I do know is that none of us is so far removed from being down and out that we can afford to harshly judge someone else who is. I remember someone saying that we are all broken, it's just that some of us have the resources to hide it better than others. Thanks for making us think. What you wrote made me think about what I’ve often wondered, which is, what’s the difference between the homeless and the homed? I think about a a member of my family, reluctant to work too hard or deprive himself of the things he thinks he “deserves,” getting to the bottom of his barrel over and over and being rescued by his mother or father every time. On the verge of foreclosure more than once, on the edge of homelessness, he was bailed out by parents unwilling to let his children reap the consequences of his irresponsibility. I feel sure I would have felt exactly the same way if he had turned to me for help. Is the difference simply running out of family members who are willing or able to rescue us when we inadvertently or even advertently fall onto hard times? As Nancy said, there are so many families that are made up of people who are all just barely scraping by; and even if you’ve never been there yourself, you can’t underestimate the emotional debility of being “absolutely beaten down by poverty.” I have also seen that family can get just plain burned out on trying to help family members who seem bent on self-destruction.
There are so many factors that determine our fates–among them luck and choices, but choices made largely because of the luck of when and where and to whom we were born. I don’t have an answer for “why” some of us have homes and some of us don’t, but one thing I do know is that none of us is so far removed from being down and out that we can afford to harshly judge someone else who is. I remember someone saying that we are all broken, it’s just that some of us have the resources to hide it better than others. Thanks for making us think.

]]> Comment on ‘F’ Is For ‘Family’ by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/f-is-for-family/#comment-236 Karen Shafer Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:50:05 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-236 Nancy, This is very eloquently stated and such important information. I want to read you comments many times, and I want to check the book out. Thank you, Karen Nancy,

This is very eloquently stated and such important information. I want to read you comments many times, and I want to check the book out.

Thank you,
Karen

]]> Comment on ‘F’ Is For ‘Family’ by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/f-is-for-family/#comment-235 Nancy Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:07:21 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-235 I have been very poor and for speaking for myself , poverty was a palpable feeling that surrounded everything I or my family did. You could not escape from it, it was always there in the old rent houses, the clothes from Goodwill, the mismatched dishes and a house with no living room because every room except for the kitchen was required to hold a bed. Compared to the inner city poor, I was fortunate. I lived in rural poverty with parents who were literate and knew how to garden, sew and fix the things that broke down (over and over). In my educated state, I would call my dad a "Renaissance man" :)) Sometimes we are just lucky. Lucky to have landed at a certain place and time to a certain level of comfort. It's not Gods will or something that we particularly deserve or are worthy of. We can take what we have and use it to a better effect, but really only if we have the tools (genetic makeup, education, location) with which to do it. I have just read a book called "Nickel and Dimed On (Not) Getting By in America " by Barbara Ehrenreich. It has a lot to say about poverty and how people survive low wage jobs. (and how it grinds you down). One point that comes up over and over is the way the poor do work together. Their friends and family are counted as assets in the same way we would consider money in the bank or a house an asset. The families try to help each other but if everyone is in the same boat, resources are stretched to the max. There are so many families out there who barely have enough for themselves and are absolutely beaten down by poverty, it is difficult for them to help, especially if the person who needs help is mentally ill or mired in substance abuse. I imagine that if it were not for the family, there would be many, many more people living on the street. I have been very poor and for speaking for myself , poverty was a palpable feeling that surrounded everything I or my family did. You could not escape from it, it was always there in the old rent houses, the clothes from Goodwill, the mismatched dishes and a house with no living room because every room except for the kitchen was required to hold a bed. Compared to the inner city poor, I was fortunate. I lived in rural poverty with parents who were literate and knew how to garden, sew and fix the things that broke down (over and over). In my educated state, I would call my dad a “Renaissance man” :))
Sometimes we are just lucky. Lucky to have landed at a certain place and time to a certain level of comfort. It’s not Gods will or something that we particularly deserve or are worthy of. We can take what we have and use it to a better effect, but really only if we have the tools (genetic makeup, education, location) with which to do it.
I have just read a book called “Nickel and Dimed
On (Not) Getting By in America ” by Barbara Ehrenreich. It has a lot to say about poverty and how people survive low wage jobs. (and how it grinds you down). One point that comes up over and over is the way the poor do work together. Their friends and family are counted as assets in the same way we would consider money in the bank or a house an asset.
The families try to help each other but if everyone is in the same boat, resources are stretched to the max. There are so many families out there who barely have enough for themselves and are absolutely beaten down by poverty, it is difficult for them to help, especially if the person who needs help is mentally ill or mired in substance abuse. I imagine that if it were not for the family, there would be many, many more people living on the street.

]]> Comment on ‘F’ Is For ‘Family’ by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/f-is-for-family/#comment-234 Karen Shafer Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:35:54 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-234 Thanks for commenting! You are what it's all about! Thanks for commenting! You are what it’s all about!

]]> Comment on ‘F’ Is For ‘Family’ by Mandy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/f-is-for-family/#comment-232 Mandy Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:08:09 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-232 Love this perspective! I always think when I see someone who is down and out "I wonder what kind of childhood they had or where there family is..." Most, if not all of us, have needed other people (family or friends) to lift us up and out when we were most in need. Thanks for this great post! Love this perspective! I always think when I see someone who is down and out “I wonder what kind of childhood they had or where there family is…” Most, if not all of us, have needed other people (family or friends) to lift us up and out when we were most in need.

Thanks for this great post!

]]> Comment on Unity, Harmony and Constructive Dissent by Pages tagged "constructive" http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/unity-harmony-and-constructive-dissent/#comment-231 Pages tagged "constructive" Sun, 15 Jun 2008 07:54:27 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-231 [...] tagged constructiveOwn a Wordpress blog? Make monetization easier with the WP Affiliate Pro plugin. Unity, Harmony and Constructive Dissent saved by 1 others     ReinaDelCid bookmarked on 06/15/08 | [...] [...] tagged constructiveOwn a WordPress blog? Make monetization easier with the WP Affiliate Pro plugin. Unity, Harmony and Constructive Dissent saved by 1 others     ReinaDelCid bookmarked on 06/15/08 | [...]

]]> Comment on Puppies From Heaven by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/puppies-from-heaven/#comment-229 Karen Shafer Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:48:04 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=61#comment-229 Thanks, David and Robin, for your comments. Robin, I wish I had a photo of Poochie and his dog, too. Should have been a little more high-tech and had a camera phone! Robin, so glad to discover your blog! Karen Thanks, David and Robin, for your comments. Robin, I wish I had a photo of Poochie and his dog, too. Should have been a little more high-tech and had a camera phone!

Robin, so glad to discover your blog!

Karen

]]> Comment on Puppies From Heaven by centerforrespitecare http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/puppies-from-heaven/#comment-228 centerforrespitecare Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:29:37 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=61#comment-228 I loved your story about Poochie and only wish you had a photo of the two of them together from way back when. I'm glad Poochie found a nice home :) -Robin I loved your story about Poochie and only wish you had a photo of the two of them together from way back when. I’m glad Poochie found a nice home :)
-Robin

]]> Comment on Puppies From Heaven by SoupMan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/puppies-from-heaven/#comment-224 SoupMan Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:09:56 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=61#comment-224 Karen: What an incredible story. A dog is thrown off the I45 expressway bridge and lands on the tent of a homeless man and the dog survives. Is the God of the Red Sea alive and well??? Well gee now, let me think! Hmmm, me thinks so and there is a little dog running around our there that offers 'living' proof. Just one more way God is showing us that he is 'Not" on vacation. In a nutshell, God is one totally cool guy!!! p.s. This story is just one more reason why your blog is so important. Stories like this are an inspiration to all. Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan Karen: What an incredible story. A dog is thrown off the I45 expressway bridge and lands on the tent of a homeless man and the dog survives. Is the God of the Red Sea alive and well??? Well gee now, let me think! Hmmm, me thinks so and there is a little dog running around our there that offers ‘living’ proof. Just one more way God is showing us that he is ‘Not” on vacation.
In a nutshell, God is one totally cool guy!!!
p.s. This story is just one more reason why your blog is so important. Stories like this are an inspiration to all.
Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

]]> Comment on Unity, Harmony and Constructive Dissent by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/unity-harmony-and-constructive-dissent/#comment-219 Karen Shafer Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:42:11 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-219 Nancy, If everyone were as open to change and new information as you and processed it as intelligently, the world would be a much better and less-prejudicial place! Karen Nancy,

If everyone were as open to change and new information as you and processed it as intelligently, the world would be a much better and less-prejudicial place!

Karen

]]> Comment on Unity, Harmony and Constructive Dissent by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/unity-harmony-and-constructive-dissent/#comment-217 Nancy Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:07:37 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-217 I think it must be human nature to think that "our way" is the best way and that everyone else should just fall in line. It isn't even something we put a conscious voice to, it just seems to be part of the fabric of our being. As an advocate, you have to keep talking to people. Reminding people that they are making "sweeping generalities" and putting accurate information out there so that they can learn and change is important. One of the hardest things for me to accept is that people have to want to change, I can't "love them into it" and the city can't "ticket and jail them into it". On this topic, we want the homeless to change but wait, we have to change our thinking as well. Between classes at school and your influence, I am much more knowledgable and (I hope) more understanding about the reasons behind homelessness and what keeps someone living under a bridge when there are other options available. I went to the Bridge a week before it opened to see where and what the building looked like. I am proud that Dallas has created this center and that the voters of this town said this has to happen. It is not the end of homelessness, but it sure looks like a good beginning to me. I think it must be human nature to think that “our way” is the best way and that everyone else should just fall in line. It isn’t even something we put a conscious voice to, it just seems to be part of the fabric of our being. As an advocate, you have to keep talking to people. Reminding people that they are making “sweeping generalities” and putting accurate information out there so that they can learn and change is important.
One of the hardest things for me to accept is that people have to want to change, I can’t “love them into it” and the city can’t “ticket and jail them into it”. On this topic, we want the homeless to change but wait, we have to change our thinking as well. Between classes at school and your influence, I am much more knowledgable and (I hope) more understanding about the reasons behind homelessness and what keeps someone living under a bridge when there are other options available.
I went to the Bridge a week before it opened to see where and what the building looked like. I am proud that Dallas has created this center and that the voters of this town said this has to happen. It is not the end of homelessness, but it sure looks like a good beginning to me.

]]> Comment on The Stewpot Calls for Volunteers, Donations at The Bridge by the stewpot dallas http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/the-stewpot-calls-for-volunteers-at-the-bridge-and-donations/#comment-216 the stewpot dallas Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:17:18 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-216 [...] hunger. We ask that you go another round??. No knockout punch will be thrown in this ring. This fhttp://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/the-stewpot-calls-for-volunteers-at-the-bri...KnowledgePlex: Article: Stewpot To Serve Meals At New Dallas ...Feb. 28--The Stewpot, whose hot [...] [...] hunger. We ask that you go another round??. No knockout punch will be thrown in this ring. This fhttp://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/the-stewpot-calls-for-volunteers-at-the-bri…KnowledgePlex: Article: Stewpot To Serve Meals At New Dallas …Feb. 28–The Stewpot, whose hot [...]

]]> Comment on Wrestling and Other Conversations by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/wrestling-and-other-conversations/#comment-208 Karen Shafer Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:41:18 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=53#comment-208 After reading a little about it, the 'Kabuki theatre' analogy seems to be a perfect one. Karen After reading a little about it, the ‘Kabuki theatre’ analogy seems to be a perfect one.

Karen

]]> Comment on Wrestling and Other Conversations by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/wrestling-and-other-conversations/#comment-207 Karen Shafer Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:04:47 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=53#comment-207 I had forgotten that there was a music side to the Sportatorium (the aging brain.) That’s really neat that your dad played there, and I didn’t know Willie did! I think you’re right about the theatre and about their fitness. I’m going to have to google ‘Kabuki theatre', so thanks for the nudge! Karen I had forgotten that there was a music side to the Sportatorium (the aging brain.) That’s really neat that your dad played there, and I didn’t know Willie did!

I think you’re right about the theatre and about their fitness. I’m going to have to google ‘Kabuki theatre’, so thanks for the nudge!

Karen

]]> Comment on Wrestling and Other Conversations by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/wrestling-and-other-conversations/#comment-204 Nancy Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:22:20 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=53#comment-204 It wasn't just for wrestling, they held the Big D Jamboree there as well. In the 70's when all the live music jobs were lost to canned music and disco, Dad played there as backup for several country music bands. Maybe some of your friends saw Willie Nelson there back in the days before the Austin phenomenon hit. We used to watch the Von Erichs and ask Dad if he thought any of it could be real. He always said he thought those guys had to be in pretty good shape if they were going to sling each other around without getting hurt too badly. It was American Kabuki theatre if you ask me. It wasn’t just for wrestling, they held the Big D Jamboree there as well.
In the 70’s when all the live music jobs were lost to canned music and disco, Dad played there as backup for several country music bands. Maybe some of your friends saw Willie Nelson there back in the days before the Austin phenomenon hit.
We used to watch the Von Erichs and ask Dad if he thought any of it could be real. He always said he thought those guys had to be in pretty good shape if they were going to sling each other around without getting hurt too badly. It was American Kabuki theatre if you ask me.

]]> Comment on Dinner at The Bridge by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/dinner-at-the-bridge/#comment-201 Karen Shafer Sat, 31 May 2008 19:55:07 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-201 I'll forgive you, if you'll let me borrow the hat! KS I’ll forgive you, if you’ll let me borrow the hat! KS

]]> Comment on Dinner at The Bridge by David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/dinner-at-the-bridge/#comment-200 David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan Sat, 31 May 2008 00:36:15 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-200 Karen Sorry for pulling that DoorMan job at the Ritz out from under you. But hey they said if I took the job I could wear a super neato cool doorman hat. I just couldn't say no!!! The DoorMan Karen

Sorry for pulling that DoorMan job at the Ritz out from under you. But hey they said if I took the job I could wear a super neato cool doorman hat. I just couldn’t say no!!!

The DoorMan

]]> Comment on Dinner at The Bridge by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/dinner-at-the-bridge/#comment-198 Karen Shafer Thu, 29 May 2008 22:10:14 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-198 SoupMan, As usual, you are very, very funny. I’ll bet your comedic skills came in handy while you've been feeding hundreds of people a day for the past several years. After all, people need a little entertainment with their meal!!! I applied for the job at the Ritz, but some guy named David Timothy had already been hired as DoorMan. They would only say his people skills had dazzled them during his interview! KS SoupMan,

As usual, you are very, very funny. I’ll bet your comedic skills came in handy while you’ve been feeding hundreds of people a day for the past several years. After all, people need a little entertainment with their meal!!!

I applied for the job at the Ritz, but some guy named David Timothy had already been hired as DoorMan. They would only say his people skills had dazzled them during his interview!

KS

]]> Comment on Dinner at The Bridge by SoupMan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/dinner-at-the-bridge/#comment-168 SoupMan Wed, 28 May 2008 16:34:30 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-168 Karen: So you worked the door at the dining hall at the Bridge. I hear they are looking for a DoorWoman at the Ritz-Carlton. Interested??? p.s. On a serious note, your blog is a powerful force for good when it comes to helping the 'least of these'. Keep on keeping on!!! Karen:
So you worked the door at the dining hall at the Bridge. I hear they are looking for a DoorWoman at the Ritz-Carlton.
Interested???
p.s. On a serious note, your blog is a powerful force for good when it comes to helping the ‘least of these’. Keep on keeping on!!!

]]> Comment on Dinner at The Bridge by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/dinner-at-the-bridge/#comment-166 Karen Shafer Wed, 28 May 2008 01:01:20 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-166 Jeremy and Richard, Thank you so much for commenting! Both of you are clearly in the fight on the very front lines, making it all happen. Karen Jeremy and Richard,

Thank you so much for commenting!

Both of you are clearly in the fight on the very front lines, making it all happen.

Karen

]]> Comment on Dinner at The Bridge by Richard Hl. Hose http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/dinner-at-the-bridge/#comment-165 Richard Hl. Hose Tue, 27 May 2008 14:24:38 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-165 A wonderful site. My heart goes out to these people in need. I am hopeful "The Bridge" will begot new bridges and is the stepping stone to end homelessnes . Richard H. Hose Fiance Manager The Bridge A wonderful site. My heart goes out to these people in need.

I am hopeful “The Bridge” will begot new bridges and is the stepping stone to end homelessnes .

Richard H. Hose
Fiance Manager
The Bridge

]]> Comment on Dinner at The Bridge by Jeremy Gregg http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/dinner-at-the-bridge/#comment-164 Jeremy Gregg Tue, 27 May 2008 06:08:39 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-164 Thanks for your heart, Karen. I appreciate you! Jeremy Gregg, Editor The Raiser's Razor http://theraiser.blogspot.com Thanks for your heart, Karen. I appreciate you!

Jeremy Gregg, Editor
The Raiser’s Razor
http://theraiser.blogspot.com

]]> Comment on Broken by David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/broken/#comment-156 David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan Wed, 21 May 2008 03:27:52 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-156 Hi Karen Let me see if I can help you in answering some of English's question. Hi English, nice to meet you. First I do not know of any safe havens in the Dallas area where you can sleep in a parked car in parking lots. In fact I do know that Dallas (like many big cities) does NOT encourage this activity. English, you asked if there was a middle class homeless crisis. Great question. In truth the homeless numbers are definitely increasing in the Dallas area. Some of those new homeless are coming from the middle class. As you know many people in our country are living on the edge financially and it doesn't take to many missed paychecks before we can't pay the rent or mortgage payment and before you know it you are being foreclosed on and possibly out on the streets. It happens more than you might think. I remember a time when I was feeding out of the SoupMobile's mobile van and there was a women in the line who looked to be perhaps in her mid 50's. She was dressed nicely, had on makeup and wore a cashmere coat that must have cost at least $500 dollars. On her face was a look of sheer terror. I could tell she was one of the 'new' homeless. Did I mention it happens more than you might think. However there is good news on the homeless front. As Karen Shafer mentioned, the City of Dallas opened a new homeless facility today called the Bridge. BTW Karen is a tireless homeless advocate. A young lady who is truly not afraid to put herself on the line to help 'the least of these'. The SoupMobile is proud to have her as a member of our Advisory Board. The Bridge will not end the problem of homelessness in Dallas, but it is a huge step up in services for them. One last point. I deal with the homeless every day. I want everyone to know that the vast majority of them are good decent people. Down on their luck yes, but people just like you and me who are struggling to deal with living on the streets. Pray for them and pray for people like Karen who go the extra mile to help the least of these. God bless you all. The SoupMan Hi Karen

Let me see if I can help you in answering some of English’s question. Hi English, nice to meet you. First I do not know of any safe havens in the Dallas area where you can sleep in a parked car in parking lots. In fact I do know that Dallas (like many big cities) does NOT encourage this activity.
English, you asked if there was a middle class homeless crisis. Great question. In truth the homeless numbers are definitely increasing in the Dallas area. Some of those new homeless are coming from the middle class. As you know many people in our country are living on the edge financially and it doesn’t take to many missed paychecks before we can’t pay the rent or mortgage payment and before you know it you are being foreclosed on and possibly out on the streets. It happens more than you might think. I remember a time when I was feeding out of the SoupMobile’s mobile van and there was a women in the line who looked to be perhaps in her mid 50’s. She was dressed nicely, had on makeup and wore a cashmere coat that must have cost at least $500 dollars. On her face was a look of sheer terror. I could tell she was one of the ‘new’ homeless. Did I mention it happens more than you might think.
However there is good news on the homeless front. As Karen Shafer mentioned, the City of Dallas opened a new homeless facility today called the Bridge. BTW Karen is a tireless homeless advocate. A young lady who is truly not afraid to put herself on the line to help ‘the least of these’. The SoupMobile is proud to have her as a member of our Advisory Board. The Bridge will not end the problem of homelessness in Dallas, but it is a huge step up in services for them.
One last point. I deal with the homeless every day. I want everyone to know that the vast majority of them are good decent people. Down on their luck yes, but people just like you and me who are struggling to deal with living on the streets.
Pray for them and pray for people like Karen who go the extra mile to help the least of these. God bless you all.
The SoupMan

]]> Comment on Broken by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/broken/#comment-155 Karen Shafer Wed, 21 May 2008 01:51:04 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-155 Hi, English, So glad to hear from you. I don't have any official figures about the middle class homeless crisis -- the people I see downtown are generally the so-called ‘chronically homeless’ -- but I think you are right on target about a growing problem, often for just the reasons you describe. I hear from people who feed the homeless daily that the numbers in the lines to be fed downtown are growing. On the home page of this blog I have a link to the Urban Daily Blog by Larry James at Central Dallas Ministries, and he deals frequently deals with facts and figures on housing. But to oversimplify, it seems that a very large part of the problem is cuts in funding for affordable housing at a federal level for many years. I’ll ask my friends at SoupMobile to give us their take on this question. On the parking lot issue, there was a story not to long ago about a Plano man who was sleeping in his car in a library parking lot in Plano. I can’t find the original article, but here are the links to the Plano city council’s response, and a homeless advocate’s letter about it. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/041508dnmetpllibrary.65530e30.html http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-north_letters_0418edi.ART.North.Edition1.46dc7d4.html I have not heard of any safe haven parking lots in town, but that’s a good question. It could be a very useful thing, but I know there would also be objections to it city-wise, for various reasons, sanitation being one. However, where there’s public will.... You are asking very important questions -- I wish I had more answers. On the up side, I was at the opening of the new homeless assistance center, The Bridge, today (and I’ll write more about it later), but it’s a beautiful facility and is light years ahead of what has been done here in the past. We still have a long way to go, but what a great start. THANK YOU FOR CARING ENOUGH TO WRITE, TO THINK, TO QUESTION! Karen Hi, English,

So glad to hear from you. I don’t have any official figures about the middle class homeless crisis — the people I see downtown are generally the so-called ‘chronically homeless’ — but I think you are right on target about a growing problem, often for just the reasons you describe. I hear from people who feed the homeless daily that the numbers in the lines to be fed downtown are growing. On the home page of this blog I have a link to the Urban Daily Blog by Larry James at Central Dallas Ministries, and he deals frequently deals with facts and figures on housing. But to oversimplify, it seems that a very large part of the problem is cuts in funding for affordable housing at a federal level for many years.

I’ll ask my friends at SoupMobile to give us their take on this question.

On the parking lot issue, there was a story not to long ago about a Plano man who was sleeping in his car in a library parking lot in Plano. I can’t find the original article, but here are the links to the Plano city council’s response, and a homeless advocate’s letter about it.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/041508dnmetpllibrary.65530e30.html

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-north_letters_0418edi.ART.North.Edition1.46dc7d4.html

I have not heard of any safe haven parking lots in town, but that’s a good question. It could be a very useful thing, but I know there would also be objections to it city-wise, for various reasons, sanitation being one. However, where there’s public will….

You are asking very important questions — I wish I had more answers.

On the up side, I was at the opening of the new homeless assistance center, The Bridge, today (and I’ll write more about it later), but it’s a beautiful facility and is light years ahead of what has been done here in the past. We still have a long way to go, but what a great start.

THANK YOU FOR CARING ENOUGH TO WRITE, TO THINK, TO QUESTION!

Karen

]]> Comment on Broken by English http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/broken/#comment-154 English Tue, 20 May 2008 15:12:06 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-154 Hi Karen, I read this story about women living in their cars in Santa Barbara on CNNI.com today and thought of you. It is beyond belief that homelessness is a growing problem among the middle class of the richest nation in the world. What is happening to our country? Every time I see one of those $1 million McMansions going up I worry that Texas is heading in California's direction. They are tearing down affordable rentals all around my condo (Lovers/Skillman/Greenville area). Where are those displaced people going to live? What if they depend on the job market of Dallas but can only afford to live in Terrell. These people can't afford the car/gas to work. Have you heard anyone talk about a safe haven parking lot for homeless people with cars to sleep in at night? Do we have a middle class homeless crisis in Dallas? If not, are we very far away? Just curious about your thoughts. God bless you, English Hi Karen,

I read this story about women living in their cars in Santa Barbara on CNNI.com today and thought of you. It is beyond belief that homelessness is a growing problem among the middle class of the richest nation in the world. What is happening to our country? Every time I see one of those $1 million McMansions going up I worry that Texas is heading in California’s direction. They are tearing down affordable rentals all around my condo (Lovers/Skillman/Greenville area). Where are those displaced people going to live? What if they depend on the job market of Dallas but can only afford to live in Terrell. These people can’t afford the car/gas to work.

Have you heard anyone talk about a safe haven parking lot for homeless people with cars to sleep in at night? Do we have a middle class homeless crisis in Dallas? If not, are we very far away?

Just curious about your thoughts.

God bless you,

English

]]> Comment on Liturgy and Action by carlos gomez http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/liturgy-and-action/#comment-148 carlos gomez Thu, 15 May 2008 21:44:55 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-148 Christ is about having sinners repent and change and not to retrun to the old things that keep them in sin. when some one turely accepets Christ they are a new person the old sinful person should have been replaced. and they should keep the commanments of Christ. Sincerely CARLOS Christ is about having sinners repent and change and not to retrun to the old things that keep them in sin. when some one turely accepets Christ they are a new person the old sinful person should have been replaced. and they should keep the commanments of Christ.
Sincerely CARLOS

]]> Comment on Going Political for a Moment by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/going-political-for-a-moment/#comment-147 Karen Shafer Wed, 14 May 2008 22:18:31 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-147 Carlos, ’some of the homeless like being homeless they have no responsibilities and can get thing for free.’ Some people do choose to live on the street, though not most, in my experience. And I’m not sure getting free stuff is the ‘why.’ It’s a pretty rough life out there and living it is a high price to pay for getting things free. Mental illness and related issues, though, are some of the reasons. I don’t know them all. ‘I believe that at times we are hurting this people by giving them what they want or need, we need to ask them to help out by working in one way or another and if they do dont want to then they should not get any more help.’ You’re right, of course, that personal responsibility is an essential component in getting one’s life together. But the philosophy of having people earn their way out of homelessness hasn’t worked very well, because there is such a complexity of issues and problems among homeless people. This is the philosophy that has been tried for decades, but sadly hasn’t worked to reduce homelessness. ‘Housing First’, which I realize is counter-intuitive, is working much better — giving people a place to live, then helping them clean up their lives with support services like job training/counseling, rehab, etc.. Thanks for your comments. I know many people feel as you do! Karen Carlos,

’some of the homeless like being homeless they have no responsibilities and can get thing for free.’

Some people do choose to live on the street, though not most, in my experience. And I’m not sure getting free stuff is the ‘why.’ It’s a pretty rough life out there and living it is a high price to pay for getting things free. Mental illness and related issues, though, are some of the reasons. I don’t know them all.

‘I believe that at times we are hurting this people by giving them what they want or need, we need to ask them to help out by working in one way or another and if they do dont want to then they should not get any more help.’

You’re right, of course, that personal responsibility is an essential component in getting one’s life together. But the philosophy of having people earn their way out of homelessness hasn’t worked very well, because there is such a complexity of issues and problems among homeless people. This is the philosophy that has been tried for decades, but sadly hasn’t worked to reduce homelessness. ‘Housing First’, which I realize is counter-intuitive, is working much better — giving people a place to live, then helping them clean up their lives with support services like job training/counseling, rehab, etc..

Thanks for your comments. I know many people feel as you do!

Karen

]]> Comment on Liturgy and Action by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/liturgy-and-action/#comment-145 Karen Shafer Wed, 14 May 2008 22:02:55 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-145 'most homeless are drunks and drug uses' Not sure where you got this information...but unless you've done a personal, face-to-face survey, I'm pretty sure that's something you don't know for certain! There is substance abuse on the street, but far from 'most homeless.' 'therefore these people are not part of the body of Christ.' With respect, we surely do have different versions of Christianity if this is what you believe, Carlos! Last I heard Christ was all about embracing sinners, as we are all sinners and fall short of God's glory. I know I do. There but for God's GRACE go I. Karen ‘most homeless are drunks and drug uses’

Not sure where you got this information…but unless you’ve done a personal, face-to-face survey, I’m pretty sure that’s something you don’t know for certain! There is substance abuse on the street, but far from ‘most homeless.’

‘therefore these people are not part of the body of Christ.’

With respect, we surely do have different versions of Christianity if this is what you believe, Carlos! Last I heard Christ was all about embracing sinners, as we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory. I know I do. There but for God’s GRACE go I.

Karen

]]> Comment on Going Political for a Moment by carlos gomez http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/going-political-for-a-moment/#comment-144 carlos gomez Wed, 14 May 2008 17:15:36 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-144 I realy enjoyed reading your artical. this is what i want to say. some of the homeless like being homeless they have no responsibilities and can get thing for free. I believe that at times we are hurting this people by giving them what they want or need, we need to ask them to help out by working in one way or another and if they do dont want to then they should not get any more help. look at what Paul said 2Thess.3:19 Sincerely Carlos I realy enjoyed reading your artical.
this is what i want to say. some of the homeless like being homeless they have no responsibilities and can get thing for free. I believe that at times we are hurting this people by giving them what they want or need, we need to ask them to help out by working in one way or another and if they do dont want to then they should not get any more help. look at what Paul said 2Thess.3:19
Sincerely Carlos

]]> Comment on Liturgy and Action by carlos gomez http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/liturgy-and-action/#comment-143 carlos gomez Wed, 14 May 2008 02:18:08 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-143 christ does not want sacrificial offerings He wants us to help those in need in the Bilbe in James 1:27 it says this is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Farther to vist orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the word. As followers of Christ this is what we are to do. But christ will not let His people die of hunger. so as bad as this may read most homeless are drunks and drug uses therefore these people are not part of the body of Christ. for what does sin have to do with Christ? a person that is in the body of Christ is a holy temple and such a person would not defile his or her body. now there are poor people that are not homeless and if they or a homeless preson are in Christ He will see for their needs. But still we are to love and help those that need it. Sincerely Carlos Gomez christ does not want sacrificial offerings He wants us to help those in need in the Bilbe in James 1:27 it says this is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Farther to vist orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the word. As followers of Christ this is what we are to do.
But christ will not let His people die of hunger. so as bad as this may read most homeless are drunks and drug uses therefore these people are not part of the body of Christ. for what does sin have to do with Christ? a person that is in the body of Christ is a holy temple and such a person would not defile his or her body. now there are poor people that are not homeless and if they or a homeless preson are in Christ He will see for their needs. But still we are to love and help those that need it.
Sincerely Carlos Gomez

]]> Comment on The Dalai Lama on the Millennium by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/the-dali-lama-on-the-millennium/#comment-129 Karen Shafer Wed, 07 May 2008 00:33:43 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=32#comment-129 Hi, Leslie! Happy to hear from you. I have a printed copy I can give you. Glad you like it. Karen Hi, Leslie!

Happy to hear from you. I have a printed copy I can give you. Glad you like it.

Karen

]]> Comment on Street Voices: Sherry Parker, Poet by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/guest-poet-sherry-parker/#comment-128 Karen Shafer Wed, 07 May 2008 00:32:13 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-128 I love Sherry's poetry, too. She is working on some more pieces that I hope to post here soon, but she still wants to polish them and is sending them through our mutual friend and the person who 'discovered' her talent, Reagan. I can't wait to read them. Karen I love Sherry’s poetry, too. She is working on some more pieces that I hope to post here soon, but she still wants to polish them and is sending them through our mutual friend and the person who ‘discovered’ her talent, Reagan. I can’t wait to read them.

Karen

]]> Comment on The Dalai Lama on the Millennium by Leslie D. http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/the-dali-lama-on-the-millennium/#comment-127 Leslie D. Tue, 06 May 2008 15:44:09 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=32#comment-127 Hi, Karen! I love the comments from the Dalai Lama. I would love to have a copy of this. Thanks for including it here on your site! Leslie Hi, Karen!
I love the comments from the Dalai Lama. I would love to have a copy of this. Thanks for including it here on your site!
Leslie

]]> Comment on Street Voices: Sherry Parker, Poet by carlos gomez http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/guest-poet-sherry-parker/#comment-126 carlos gomez Mon, 05 May 2008 00:36:53 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-126 what a beautiful poem. Exepecting to arrive I got there never. this is so deep. its like I am here right now this moment, yet I have not arrived. because I am in the past and the furtrue as I live and breath today I am waiting to be born and resurrcted. traveling down the road of life arriving at forever. Sincerely Carlos Gomez what a beautiful poem. Exepecting to arrive I got there never. this is so deep. its like I am here right now this moment, yet I have not arrived. because I am in the past and the furtrue as I live and breath today I am waiting to be born and resurrcted. traveling down the road of life arriving at forever.

Sincerely Carlos Gomez

]]> Comment on The Stewpot Calls for Volunteers, Donations at The Bridge by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/the-stewpot-calls-for-volunteers-at-the-bridge-and-donations/#comment-125 Karen Shafer Sun, 04 May 2008 01:55:33 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-125 Tommy, Here's a link to an article in the Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/dallas/stories/022808dnmetstewpot.3870881.html I hope this provides the information you need. KS Tommy,

Here’s a link to an article in the Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/dallas/stories/022808dnmetstewpot.3870881.html

I hope this provides the information you need.

KS

]]> Comment on About This Blog by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/about/#comment-124 Karen Shafer Sun, 04 May 2008 01:44:29 +0000 #comment-124 Thanks, Carlos, for taking the time to read and post! Keep coming back! Karen Thanks, Carlos, for taking the time to read and post! Keep coming back!

Karen

]]> Comment on Suffering and Compassion by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/suffering-and-compassion/#comment-123 Karen Shafer Sun, 04 May 2008 01:43:27 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=40#comment-123 I like this writer, too. He always inspires me. Karen I like this writer, too. He always inspires me.

Karen

]]> Comment on About This Blog by carlos gomez http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/about/#comment-122 carlos gomez Sat, 03 May 2008 18:21:44 +0000 #comment-122 Hello Keran, just want to say I love your web site. and thank God for what you are doing. may the LORD keep you in His peace and love. Sincerely Carlos Hello Keran, just want to say I love your web site. and thank God for what you are doing. may the LORD keep you in His peace and love.
Sincerely Carlos

]]> Comment on Suffering and Compassion by carlos gomez http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/suffering-and-compassion/#comment-121 carlos gomez Sat, 03 May 2008 18:10:37 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=40#comment-121 this poem or writting is realy good. this poem or writting is realy good.

]]> Comment on The Stewpot Calls for Volunteers, Donations at The Bridge by Thomas Townsend http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/the-stewpot-calls-for-volunteers-at-the-bridge-and-donations/#comment-120 Thomas Townsend Thu, 01 May 2008 22:42:45 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-120 More information needed on The Bridge.Plesae send to;katytom@sbcglobal.net. Thank you. Tommy Townsend More information needed on The Bridge.Plesae send to;katytom@sbcglobal.net.
Thank you.
Tommy Townsend

]]> Comment on Worthy or Unworthy…Is That the Question? by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/worthy-or-not-is-that-the-question/#comment-117 Karen Shafer Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:56:48 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=39#comment-117 Nancy, Wow, what a powerful and eloquent post! It goes right to the heart of the matter. Thank you. Karen Nancy,

Wow, what a powerful and eloquent post! It goes right to the heart of the matter. Thank you.

Karen

]]> Comment on Worthy or Unworthy…Is That the Question? by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/worthy-or-not-is-that-the-question/#comment-115 Nancy Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:38:39 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=39#comment-115 We need a kindness label, one that brings to mind the idea of someone going hungry, being scared or not having a place to just sit down and rest. The problem is, that won’t scream at us and offend our sensibilities. A kindness label won't give us something to toss out during conversations, it just doesn't have the power of "Homeless person as Panhandler". Yes, it is always the same with labels, Homeless only seen as a panhandler, but it is also, Black person I have known, Mexican, Fat, Wal-Mart types, whatever. That is always the problem, if we see something that is even a little out of our norm it makes us uncomfortable, that is what we remember and somehow the whole group becomes "one of those people we have known". I am sorry that we feel the need to justify our inaction and indifference with a label. The Baggy pants wearing Black person label, makes it easy not to care about what happens in South Dallas. We don't care if the infant mortality is 13% (13 out of every 1000 babies will die before age 1) Illegal aliens label, they don't care about our rules. But we sure want them around to fix our Mexican food or mow our lawns or push our baby strollers. White, low class, white trash, low rent Wal-Mart types label. Guess whose back our country was built on. We love a label, we label everyone we see who doesn't fit our particular notion of "what is right and proper" it makes it easier to look at and dismiss others, especially the Homeless. We need a kindness label, one that brings to mind the idea of someone going hungry, being scared or not having a place to just sit down and rest. The problem is, that won’t scream at us and offend our sensibilities. A kindness label won’t give us something to toss out during conversations, it just doesn’t have the power of “Homeless person as Panhandler”.

Yes, it is always the same with labels, Homeless only seen as a panhandler, but it is also, Black person I have known, Mexican, Fat, Wal-Mart types, whatever. That is always the problem, if we see something that is even a little out of our norm it makes us uncomfortable, that is what we remember and somehow the whole group becomes “one of those people we have known”.

I am sorry that we feel the need to justify our inaction and indifference with a label.

The Baggy pants wearing Black person label, makes it easy not to care about what happens in South Dallas. We don’t care if the infant mortality is 13% (13 out of every 1000 babies will die before age 1)

Illegal aliens label, they don’t care about our rules. But we sure want them around to fix our Mexican food or mow our lawns or push our baby strollers.

White, low class, white trash, low rent Wal-Mart types label. Guess whose back our country was built on.

We love a label, we label everyone we see who doesn’t fit our particular notion of “what is right and proper” it makes it easier to look at and dismiss others, especially the Homeless.

]]> Comment on Going Political for a Moment by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/going-political-for-a-moment/#comment-113 Karen Shafer Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:36:10 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-113 Thanks for all three comments! Nancy, I appreciate your heartfelt comment. It is written in an honest spirit of open-minded inquiry and expresses an important point of view. I wish there were easy answers. One thing that helps me is to realize that the people who are shouting at the bus stop or panhandling aggressively are probably at the extremes of the homeless community as well as of our own. As you know, there’s a great deal of mental illness on the street. The majority of homeless individuals don’t beg, are reasonable individuals, and a great many of them hold down jobs — just not ones that pay enough to be housed. Also, it helps to realize that these kinds of extreme human problems exist everywhere in society, but, with the homeless, there is nowhere for them to be hidden, so to speak. They are ‘out in the open,’ and, without a doubt, disturbing. I hate to say ‘throw money at the problem,’ but I have to say it. Homelessness has increased exponentially as mental-health and housing funding has been cut over the past many years. So, of course, more outreach workers, more treatment programs, more housing. We all have high hopes for The Bridge, but it will not be a cure-all. Fortunately, we seem to be addressing some long-term solutions of affordable and permanent-supportive housing in Dallas. Most cities end up with some compromise between creative solutions that actually help solve the homeless issue and ‘criminalization,’ the word for ordinances targeting the homeless. These solutions usually involve compromises between city governments, homeless groups/ advocates and police. It’s unlikely that punitive measures will cease here in Dallas entirely, as they are very common nationwide. Still, because they are ineffective, I feel I have to make the case against them. Here’s an excerpt from an article entitled “Outlawing Homelessness”, by Kristen Brown (Philadephia.) I’m searching for the source from which I copied this and archived it! I’ll try to figure out how to post the whole article on my blog (you know how sad I am tech-wise!) “What all the above approaches [ordinances criminalizing the homeless] share is the intent of removing homeless people from public spaces and from sight. Although some city officials’ concerns about public space are valid, the criminalization of homeless individuals is poor public policy for several reasons. Adoption of laws and policies that punish homeless people rather than addressing the problems that cause homelessness is an ineffective approach. Penalizing people for engaging in innocent behavior – such as sleeping in public, sitting on the sidewalk, or begging – will not reduce the occurrence of these activities or keep homeless people out of public spaces when they have no alternative place to sleep or sit or no other means of subsistence. With insufficient resources for shelter and services for homeless people, imposing punishment for unavoidable activities is not only futile, it is inhumane. Criminalization of homeless people imposes unnecessary burdens on the criminal justice system. Relying on law enforcement officials and jails to address homelessness and related issues, such as mental illness and substance abuse, that are more appropriately handled by service providers, causes problems and widespread frustrations within the criminal justice system. Police officers are not adequately trained to respond to the situations that arise, the criminal justice system does not provide the necessary treatment and rehabilitation opportunities, and members of jail staff cannot provide the extra supervision that people with mental illness or substance abuse may require. Further, jails are already overcrowded without detaining individuals who have not committed serious crimes. Criminalization provides no long-term benefit for homeless individuals nor does it provide a lasting solution to the conflicts over public space. Moreover, it is likely to cost significantly more money. The costs of police time and resources and jailing individuals is substantially higher than the cost of providing them with shelter combined with necessary services.” Best Regards! Karen Thanks for all three comments!

Nancy,

I appreciate your heartfelt comment. It is written in an honest spirit of open-minded inquiry and expresses an important point of view.

I wish there were easy answers.

One thing that helps me is to realize that the people who are shouting at the bus stop or panhandling aggressively are probably at the extremes of the homeless community as well as of our own. As you know, there’s a great deal of mental illness on the street. The majority of homeless individuals don’t beg, are reasonable individuals, and a great many of them hold down jobs — just not ones that pay enough to be housed.

Also, it helps to realize that these kinds of extreme human problems exist everywhere in society, but, with the homeless, there is nowhere for them to be hidden, so to speak. They are ‘out in the open,’ and, without a doubt, disturbing.

I hate to say ‘throw money at the problem,’ but I have to say it. Homelessness has increased exponentially as mental-health and housing funding has been cut over the past many years. So, of course, more outreach workers, more treatment programs, more housing. We all have high hopes for The Bridge, but it will not be a cure-all. Fortunately, we seem to be addressing some long-term solutions of affordable and permanent-supportive housing in Dallas.

Most cities end up with some compromise between creative solutions that actually help solve the homeless issue and ‘criminalization,’ the word for ordinances targeting the homeless. These solutions usually involve compromises between city governments, homeless groups/ advocates and police.

It’s unlikely that punitive measures will cease here in Dallas entirely, as they are very common nationwide. Still, because they are ineffective, I feel I have to make the case against them.

Here’s an excerpt from an article entitled “Outlawing Homelessness”, by Kristen Brown (Philadephia.) I’m searching for the source from which I copied this and archived it! I’ll try to figure out how to post the whole article on my blog (you know how sad I am tech-wise!)

“What all the above approaches [ordinances criminalizing the homeless] share is the intent of removing homeless people from public spaces and from sight. Although some city officials’ concerns about public space are valid, the criminalization of homeless individuals is poor public policy for several reasons.

Adoption of laws and policies that punish homeless people rather than addressing the problems that cause homelessness is an ineffective approach. Penalizing people for engaging in innocent behavior – such as sleeping in public, sitting on the sidewalk, or begging – will not reduce the occurrence of these activities or keep homeless people out of public spaces when they have no alternative place to sleep or sit or no other means of subsistence. With insufficient resources for shelter and services for homeless people, imposing punishment for unavoidable activities is not only futile, it is inhumane.

Criminalization of homeless people imposes unnecessary burdens on the criminal justice system. Relying on law enforcement officials and jails to address homelessness and related issues, such as mental illness and substance abuse, that are more appropriately handled by service providers, causes problems and widespread frustrations within the criminal justice system. Police officers are not adequately trained to respond to the situations that arise, the criminal justice system does not provide the necessary treatment and rehabilitation opportunities, and members of jail staff cannot provide the extra supervision that people with mental illness or substance abuse may require. Further, jails are already overcrowded without detaining individuals who have not committed serious crimes.

Criminalization provides no long-term benefit for homeless individuals nor does it provide a lasting solution to the conflicts over public space. Moreover, it is likely to cost significantly more money. The costs of police time and resources and jailing individuals is substantially higher than the cost of providing them with shelter combined with necessary services.”

Best Regards!
Karen

]]> Comment on The Roots of War by Dee Schore http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/the-roots-of-war/#comment-103 Dee Schore Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:12:54 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/the-roots-of-war/#comment-103 May all visitors scroll down to Thich Nhat Hanh's "Roots of War" and read the words of this wonderful peacemaker. May all visitors scroll down to Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Roots of War” and read the words of this wonderful peacemaker.

]]> Comment on Going Political for a Moment by SoupMan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/going-political-for-a-moment/#comment-99 SoupMan Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:03:27 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-99 Karen You are correct. The opening of the Bridge is a step in the right direction as regards homeless services, but its a complicated proposition. There are no easy answers, but with the Lord's guidance and diligent help from people like yourself, progress is being made. Thanks for standing up for the 'least of these'. Or to put it in simplier terms---- YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Karen

You are correct. The opening of the Bridge is a step in the right direction as regards homeless services, but its a complicated proposition. There are no easy answers, but
with the Lord’s guidance and diligent help from people like
yourself, progress is being made. Thanks for standing up for the ‘least of these’. Or to put it in simplier terms—-
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> Comment on Going Political for a Moment by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/going-political-for-a-moment/#comment-98 Nancy Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:49:17 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-98 When I used to ride the bus downtown everyday, I admit that it was distressing to be accosted by someone panhandling. I just wanted to wait for the bus in peace. I remember watching the cops riding their bikes and wondering how they felt about having to give tickets for panhandling. Sometimes when I ride the bus in the evening, there is a man shouting in the crowd of people at the bus stop. There are many different types of people there, waiting to ride the bus home at the end of a long day. I know there are some who would love for one of those cops to give him a ticket. This is of course all part of human nature, we want someone to "DO SOMETHING", but what exactly is to be done? The Bridge is a good step, the Stewpot being central to this community is a good step. What do we do about human nature, both ours in the mainsteam and the homeless community. They don't seem to mesh, but I want to keep my heart and mind open to the change that needs and has to happen. Right now, that is all I know to do. When I used to ride the bus downtown everyday, I admit that it was distressing to be accosted by someone panhandling. I just wanted to wait for the bus in peace. I remember watching the cops riding their bikes and wondering how they felt about having to give tickets for panhandling.
Sometimes when I ride the bus in the evening, there is a man shouting in the crowd of people at the bus stop. There are many different types of people there, waiting to ride the bus home at the end of a long day. I know there are some who would love for one of those cops to give him a ticket.
This is of course all part of human nature, we want someone to “DO SOMETHING”, but what exactly is to be done?
The Bridge is a good step, the Stewpot being central to this community is a good step. What do we do about human nature, both ours in the mainsteam and the homeless community. They don’t seem to mesh, but I want to keep my heart and mind open to the change that needs and has to happen. Right now, that is all I know to do.

]]> Comment on Going Political for a Moment by Jason Whitmen http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/going-political-for-a-moment/#comment-89 Jason Whitmen Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:59:44 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-89 A friend of mine just emailed me one of your articles from a while back. I read that one a few more. Really enjoy your blog. Thanks. Jason Whitmen A friend of mine just emailed me one of your articles from a while back. I read that one a few more. Really enjoy your blog. Thanks.

Jason Whitmen

]]> Comment on Rightness by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/rightness-and-faith/#comment-83 Karen Shafer Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:45:23 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-83 What more could I want than appreciation from my good friend and a person who has absolutely dedicated his life to our 'friends without houses', David Timothy, aka SoupMan? Thank you, David. You help and support me at every turn. KS What more could I want than appreciation from my good friend and a person who has absolutely dedicated his life to our ‘friends without houses’, David Timothy, aka SoupMan? Thank you, David. You help and support me at every turn.

KS

]]> Comment on Rightness by SoupMan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/rightness-and-faith/#comment-71 SoupMan Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:08:43 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-71 Karen: Kudos to you for your fabulous blog. It puts a bright spotlight on the issue of homelessness by giving us the human side of the picture. You so correctly show us that homelessness is not just numbers and stats. Its about real people with real problems. Its about a segment of society that has fallen on hard times and is struggling just to survive each day. Thanks for caring for 'the least of these'. You are a blessing to those that are most in need. The SoupMan Karen:
Kudos to you for your fabulous blog. It puts a bright spotlight on the issue of homelessness by giving us the human side of the picture. You so correctly show us that homelessness is not just numbers and stats. Its about real people with real problems. Its about a segment of society that has fallen on hard times and is struggling just to survive each day. Thanks for caring for ‘the least of these’. You are a blessing to those that are most in need.
The SoupMan

]]> Comment on Little Ones by Little Ones http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/little-ones/#comment-64 Little Ones Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:59:25 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/little-ones/#comment-64 [...] Karen Shafer wrote an post worth reading today.Here’s a quick excerpt:Some volunteers canceled for the feeding run today, the director was in a panic, so I went to help crew the mobile soup kitchen truck at the last minute. I didn’t need to buy the prenatal vitamins for Robin after all, as she and her … [...] [...] Karen Shafer wrote an post worth reading today.Here’s a quick excerpt:Some volunteers canceled for the feeding run today, the director was in a panic, so I went to help crew the mobile soup kitchen truck at the last minute. I didn’t need to buy the prenatal vitamins for Robin after all, as she and her … [...]

]]> Comment on Guest Writers From the Street? by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/guest-writers-from-the-street/#comment-63 Karen Shafer Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:18:48 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=26#comment-63 Yes, great idea. I'll work on it -- thanks for commenting, N! I also think that would make a good name: Voice of the Homeless or similar. Karen Yes, great idea. I’ll work on it — thanks for commenting, N! I also think that would make a good name: Voice of the Homeless or similar. Karen

]]> Comment on Guest Writers From the Street? by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/guest-writers-from-the-street/#comment-57 Nancy Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:46:51 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=26#comment-57 Why don't you set up a voice of the homeless blog. They probably wouldn't be able to set up their own blog since the library computers probably have limits on them. You could be the blog administrator and post for them. There was a blog by a guy who was/is homeless, he went to the library and emailed his posts to someone else who posted his entries for him. (I can't remember what it is, I found it a couple of years ago and have lost it) Anyway, it has been done and I remember him as someone who had some interesting things to say. There is always a workaround, sometimes it isn't the easiest but it is there. Just an idea. Why don’t you set up a voice of the homeless blog.

They probably wouldn’t be able to set up their own blog since the library computers probably have limits on them.

You could be the blog administrator and post for them.

There was a blog by a guy who was/is homeless, he went to the library and emailed his posts to someone else who posted his entries for him. (I can’t remember what it is, I found it a couple of years ago and have lost it) Anyway, it has been done and I remember him as someone who had some interesting things to say.

There is always a workaround, sometimes it isn’t the easiest but it is there.

Just an idea.

]]> Comment on Blogger Profile by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/blogger-profile/#comment-56 Karen Shafer Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:38:56 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/blogger-profile/#comment-56 Hi, Reagan, It's great to hear from you. I've missed being there on Friday nights the past few weeks, but will be coming next week. I would love to invite Sherry and other people who live on the street to write guest posts on this blog! What do you think? In fact, maybe I'll post your comment and my response as my next post to make that invitation. Does that seem like a good plan? Logistically, I guess I could send you my email address and you could have our 'guest writers' email me their pieces, which I could post for them. What do you think? Leave it to wonderful you to help create another level to this blog which I had in the back of my mind when I began it but hadn't thought how to implement! Synergy and Spirit, eh? Blessings! -- which you and the amazing Friday night crew from Northwest Bible Church bring in spades to our street friends at the Day Resource Center! Karen Hi, Reagan,

It’s great to hear from you. I’ve missed being there on Friday nights the past few weeks, but will be coming next week.

I would love to invite Sherry and other people who live on the street to write guest posts on this blog! What do you think? In fact, maybe I’ll post your comment and my response as my next post to make that invitation. Does that seem like a good plan?

Logistically, I guess I could send you my email address and you could have our ‘guest writers’ email me their pieces, which I could post for them. What do you think?

Leave it to wonderful you to help create another level to this blog which I had in the back of my mind when I began it but hadn’t thought how to implement! Synergy and Spirit, eh?

Blessings! — which you and the amazing Friday night crew from Northwest Bible Church bring in spades to our street friends at the Day Resource Center!

Karen

]]> Comment on Blogger Profile by Reagan http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/blogger-profile/#comment-53 Reagan Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:28:12 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/blogger-profile/#comment-53 Hi, Karen- I've been thinking about you lately and have missed you the last couple of weeks at the DRC Friday nights! ...I also just got home from Barnes & Noble, and noticed you were missing there, too. Thanks so much for sharing your blog with me. It really gives me some insight into some things I don't see in my interactions downtown, and I love the way your write! I met a woman tonight, Sherry, who lives on the street and writes about her experiences. Prose and poetry, and I really enjoyed hearing some excerpts. Do you know a way or a connection so that her stuff might be read? either on a blog or in a publication? Just a thought. Hope you are doing well and enjoying those grandbabies!! Reagan Hi, Karen-

I’ve been thinking about you lately and have missed you the last couple of weeks at the DRC Friday nights! …I also just got home from Barnes & Noble, and noticed you were missing there, too. Thanks so much for sharing your blog with me. It really gives me some insight into some things I don’t see in my interactions downtown, and I love the way your write!

I met a woman tonight, Sherry, who lives on the street and writes about her experiences. Prose and poetry, and I really enjoyed hearing some excerpts. Do you know a way or a connection so that her stuff might be read? either on a blog or in a publication? Just a thought. Hope you are doing well and enjoying those grandbabies!!

Reagan

]]> Comment on Fellow Countrychildren by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/countrywomen-men-and-children/#comment-52 Karen Shafer Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:40:29 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-52 Hi, April, Thanks so much for commenting! You are involved in a great project. Thank you for making it possible for people to share their lives and thoughts. Best Regards, Karen Hi, April,

Thanks so much for commenting! You are involved in a great project. Thank you for making it possible for people to share their lives and thoughts.

Best Regards,
Karen

]]> Comment on Fellow Countrychildren by april http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/countrywomen-men-and-children/#comment-51 april Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:01:19 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-51 Hello I work at PhotoVoice and I just wanted to say how pleased I am that you enjoyed the photographs. I am sure the children involved in the project will be happy too Hello

I work at PhotoVoice and I just wanted to say how pleased I am that you enjoyed the photographs. I am sure the children involved in the project will be happy too

]]> Comment on Yield and Overcome by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/yield-and-overcome/#comment-27 Karen Shafer Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:43:21 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/yield-and-overcome/#comment-27 Thanks more than I can say for the encouragement. It comes at a very good time. Coming from one of the best writers I know, it is even more appreciated! KS Thanks more than I can say for the encouragement. It comes at a very good time.

Coming from one of the best writers I know, it is even more appreciated!

KS

]]> Comment on Yield and Overcome by mrs. f5 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/yield-and-overcome/#comment-24 mrs. f5 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:27:04 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/yield-and-overcome/#comment-24 The miraculous thing about blogging... about sending your words, thoughts and inspiration out into the world on a wing and a prayer... is that you never know whom you might move. Or provoke. Or inspire. I've absolutely adored reading your blog in one sitting tonight. Your words and your stories have moved me; this verse has inspired me. Thank you for sharing it all. I can't wait to read more! The miraculous thing about blogging… about sending your words, thoughts and inspiration out into the world on a wing and a prayer… is that you never know whom you might move. Or provoke. Or inspire.

I’ve absolutely adored reading your blog in one sitting tonight. Your words and your stories have moved me; this verse has inspired me. Thank you for sharing it all. I can’t wait to read more!

]]> Comment on First Night by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/first-night/#comment-19 Karen Shafer Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:13:41 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=4#comment-19 Silkey, Thank you so much for posting. Can't wait to meet you. Love the Vietnam connection more than words can say!!! Karen Silkey,

Thank you so much for posting. Can’t wait to meet you. Love the Vietnam connection more than words can say!!!

Karen

]]> Comment on About This Blog by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/about/#comment-18 Karen Shafer Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:11:32 +0000 #comment-18 How awesome to hear from my 'oldest' friend!!! OK, not really 'oldest' -- you know what I mean! Yes, we would love to come to Memphis in May and stay in your posh house! Better than a luxury hotel (hate to say it, but cheaper, too!) Love you! KS How awesome to hear from my ‘oldest’ friend!!! OK, not really ‘oldest’ — you know what I mean!

Yes, we would love to come to Memphis in May and stay in your posh house! Better than a luxury hotel (hate to say it, but cheaper, too!)

Love you!
KS

]]> Comment on Wisdom of a Child, Wisdom of the Street by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-17 Karen Shafer Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:06:15 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-17 Is that my long-time buddy, Peg L? Thanks for reading and commenting! Is that my long-time buddy, Peg L? Thanks for reading and commenting!

]]> Comment on Wisdom of a Child, Wisdom of the Street by Peg http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-16 Peg Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:49:23 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-16 What a gift! for everyone! Thanks for sharing What a gift! for everyone! Thanks for sharing

]]> Comment on Wisdom of a Child, Wisdom of the Street by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-15 Karen Shafer Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:39:06 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-15 You're a GOOD co-grandmother, the best! And the giver of the pink piggy bank which starts the story! KS You’re a GOOD co-grandmother, the best! And the giver of the pink piggy bank which starts the story!

KS

]]> Comment on About This Blog by Karen Hasty http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/about/#comment-14 Karen Hasty Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:52:41 +0000 #comment-14 Karen What an eloquent a voice for the homeless. I was touched and felt a push to do something so meaningful in my life. Maybe when I retire-hopefully soon. I would like to propose a reunion for you, me and the girls (Mandy, Rose, Joanna) and their families soon. Memphis is May is a festival month. I have room for all. Would you consider visiting here? i would love to see you all and catch up. Love Karen Karen

What an eloquent a voice for the homeless. I was touched and felt a push to do something so meaningful in my life. Maybe when I retire-hopefully soon.

I would like to propose a reunion for you, me and the girls (Mandy, Rose, Joanna) and their families soon. Memphis is May is a festival month. I have room for all. Would you consider visiting here? i would love to see you all and catch up.

Love
Karen

]]> Comment on Wisdom of a Child, Wisdom of the Street by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-13 Nancy Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:47:55 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/wisdom-of-a-child-wisdom-of-the-street/#comment-13 "sunrise, sunset...quickly go the days, seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze..." So I tie everything to song lyrics... sue me, I'm a musicians daughter. yes, she is quite the big girl and very aware. (but, she does know that I keep a stash of reeses peanut butter cups just for her!!...bad grandma :)) “sunrise, sunset…quickly go the days, seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze…”

So I tie everything to song lyrics… sue me, I’m a musicians daughter.

yes, she is quite the big girl and very aware. (but, she does know that I keep a stash of reeses peanut butter cups just for her!!…bad grandma :))

]]> Comment on Of Supermarket Trollies and Rolex Watches by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/of-supermarket-trollies-and-rolex-watches/#comment-12 Karen Shafer Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:47:23 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/of-supermarket-trollies-and-rolex-watches/#comment-12 What a heartfelt and eloquent comment. Thank you, Dee. The good news is that the Homeless Assistance Center will open in the next few months, and it will make a big difference. The bad news is that, even with the HAC, the number of individuals living in homelessness and poverty is so great and ever-increasing that it will certainly, at best, be an enormous challenge, even to this facility (although it is a vast improvement over anything we've ever had here.) Thanks to the voters in Dallas who had the heart and good sense to approve the $23 million bond for the HAC's construction -- and in a part of town where it will be used -- and to those who have raised/ are raising operating fees. Still, the long-term need is housing, housing, housing: emergency, transitional, permanent-supported. One thing that we can do is to lobby the federal government to constantly INCREASE the funding for housing at all levels, not decrease it, as has been the trend. At the local level, I think there is currently more awareness and concern at city hall than in the past, but we should continue to let our own city government know that homelessness and poverty are a priority, along with development, in making us a great city. What a heartfelt and eloquent comment. Thank you, Dee.

The good news is that the Homeless Assistance Center will open in the next few months, and it will make a big difference.

The bad news is that, even with the HAC, the number of individuals living in homelessness and poverty is so great and ever-increasing that it will certainly, at best, be an enormous challenge, even to this facility (although it is a vast improvement over anything we’ve ever had here.)

Thanks to the voters in Dallas who had the heart and good sense to approve the $23 million bond for the HAC’s construction — and in a part of town where it will be used — and to those who have raised/ are raising operating fees.

Still, the long-term need is housing, housing, housing: emergency, transitional, permanent-supported. One thing that we can do is to lobby the federal government to constantly INCREASE the funding for housing at all levels, not decrease it, as has been the trend.

At the local level, I think there is currently more awareness and concern at city hall than in the past, but we should continue to let our own city government know that homelessness and poverty are a priority, along with development, in making us a great city.

]]> Comment on Of Supermarket Trollies and Rolex Watches by Dee Schore http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/of-supermarket-trollies-and-rolex-watches/#comment-11 Dee Schore Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:35:34 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/of-supermarket-trollies-and-rolex-watches/#comment-11 I continue to find it incredulous that people in our city do not understand that having a roof over ones head with heat and cool air when needed, a safe environment, and easy access to food and water, and bathrooms are necessities that everyone is entitled to. Why are the homeless relegated to a position of "lesser than"? Why are they ignored? Being ignored adds not only a tremendous stress to each individual, but stresses the city. Homelessness should not be an issue in a city where more people care about entertainment venues than the homeless population, a city where some children have I-phones, expensive vacations and all the latest fashions. If we believe that our actions affect every other human being, then it's time to take stock and set new priorities. There must be a way to better manage the finances of this city to include food and facilities for the homeless population. I continue to find it incredulous that people in our city do not understand that having a roof over ones head with heat and cool air when needed, a safe environment, and easy access to food and water, and bathrooms are necessities that everyone is entitled to. Why are the homeless relegated to a position of “lesser than”? Why are they ignored? Being ignored adds not only a tremendous stress to each individual, but stresses the city. Homelessness should not be an issue in a city where more people care about entertainment venues than the homeless population, a city where some children have I-phones, expensive vacations and all the latest fashions. If we believe that our actions affect every other human being, then it’s time to take stock and set new priorities. There must be a way to better manage the finances of this city to include food and facilities for the homeless population.

]]> Comment on First Night by silkey http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/first-night/#comment-10 silkey Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:28:15 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=4#comment-10 Blessings to you for answering His call and walking in faith, Christ always ministered to the physical need and then the spiritual. you are in my prayers I know the Lord will open doors, hearts and spiritual eyes Stormy (adopting Josiah from VN Blessings to you for answering His call and walking in faith, Christ always ministered to the physical need and then the spiritual. you are in my prayers I know the Lord will open doors, hearts and spiritual eyes
Stormy (adopting Josiah from VN

]]> Comment on Waxing Philosophical by Laura Hemberger http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/waxing-philosophical-which-is-almost-as-painful-as-waxing-your-legs/#comment-9 Laura Hemberger Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:24:17 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-9 This is my favorite part: "Sometimes I wonder if our collective anger towards street people has something to do with their reminding us of the ludicrous, wasteful splendor in which most of us live, and perhaps also of the ubiquity of vulnerability all humans share." Thank you, thank you for having the strength and courage to put all this "out there"! I am amazed, moved, and deeply struck by the level of comprehension and compassion you have (which is constant), but also at your ability to inspire and inform into compassion, which I'm sure all who read this will experience. This is my favorite part:

“Sometimes I wonder if our collective anger towards street people has something to do with their reminding us of the ludicrous, wasteful splendor in which most of us live, and perhaps also of the ubiquity of vulnerability all humans share.”

Thank you, thank you for having the strength and courage to put all this “out there”! I am amazed, moved, and deeply struck by the level of comprehension and compassion you have (which is constant), but also at your ability to inspire and inform into compassion, which I’m sure all who read this will experience.

]]> Comment on Waxing Philosophical by Karen Shafer http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/waxing-philosophical-which-is-almost-as-painful-as-waxing-your-legs/#comment-8 Karen Shafer Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:40:36 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-8 Thanks so much for your comments, all. Carolyn, I'm so glad it resonates for you! Look forward to checking out your blog. Thanks so much for your comments, all.

Carolyn, I’m so glad it resonates for you! Look forward to checking out your blog.

]]> Comment on Waxing Philosophical by Carolyn http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/waxing-philosophical-which-is-almost-as-painful-as-waxing-your-legs/#comment-7 Carolyn Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:35:59 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-7 I love it. You wrote so eloquently what I struggle to convey to people who ask me why my husband and I care to volunteer our time to feed the homeless. I'm just going to point them to your blog! :) I love it. You wrote so eloquently what I struggle to convey to people who ask me why my husband and I care to volunteer our time to feed the homeless. I’m just going to point them to your blog! :)

]]> Comment on First Night by katie n. http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/first-night/#comment-6 katie n. Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:09:27 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=4#comment-6 Karen, thanx for sharing. I find it really encouraging that you continue to widen your heart in a time when so many quickly close their eyes. much love -Katie Karen, thanx for sharing. I find it really encouraging that you continue to widen your heart in a time when so many quickly close their eyes. much love -Katie

]]> Comment on Waxing Philosophical by Nancy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/waxing-philosophical-which-is-almost-as-painful-as-waxing-your-legs/#comment-5 Nancy Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:47:01 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-5 "Jump, it's not as far as you think" Well, you did it. It takes many different approaches to succeed with the path you have chosen. I know that you have the best interest of the people you work with and try to listen to what their needs are, not just what you want for them. It is something that you have learned well . Keep up your good work. I know that you have enlightened me and I will try to do good works in the way that I can. Maybe someday we will meet up in the middle. Here is to the journey. “Jump, it’s not as far as you think”
Well, you did it. It takes many different approaches to succeed with the path you have chosen. I know that you have the best interest of the people you work with and try to listen to what their needs are, not just what you want for them. It is something that you have learned well . Keep up your good work. I know that you have enlightened me and I will try to do good works in the way that I can. Maybe someday we will meet up in the middle. Here is to the journey.

]]> Comment on Waxing Philosophical by David & Linda http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/waxing-philosophical-which-is-almost-as-painful-as-waxing-your-legs/#comment-4 David & Linda Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:28:08 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-4 What a beautiful expression of your compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves! Thank God most of us will never have to suffer the destitution of being homeless. May God bless you and the people you inspire to help others in need. What a beautiful expression of your compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves! Thank God most of us will never have to suffer the destitution of being homeless.
May God bless you and the people you inspire to help others in need.

]]> Comment on Waxing Philosophical by Arnaud http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/waxing-philosophical-which-is-almost-as-painful-as-waxing-your-legs/#comment-3 Arnaud Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:45:27 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-3 Congratulations for your generosity towards people who have almost nothing. You are certainly leading by example. We are very proud of you ! Arnaud Congratulations for your generosity towards people who have almost nothing. You are certainly leading by example. We are very proud of you !

Arnaud

]]> Comment on Paranoia Strikes Deep by Mandy http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/paranoia-strikes-deep/#comment-2 Mandy Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:21:20 +0000 http://theintermittentvolunteer.wordpress.com/?p=5#comment-2 First comment! I am so proud of you for taking the leap! You have so much to share and a unique perspective. I know this will be an informative and entertaining place for people to learn more of what you have come to know so much about... Love, M First comment! I am so proud of you for taking the leap! You have so much to share and a unique perspective. I know this will be an informative and entertaining place for people to learn more of what you have come to know so much about…

Love, M

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