So this picture is too funny. This guy and his wife have been panhandling for years at the intersection at the mall. Plenty of help wanted signs around. He and his wife have been trashed in many articles in the papers. He is upping the anty apparently.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
It is so bad around here. I was getting a shake down by a girl in a North Face coat, holding an iPhone. Really? I went in the store, grabbed a manager and pointed it out. She was removed.
With his sign I would have thought he lost a bet, so it would not occur to me he was panhandling.
The funniest one I saw was a guy holding a typical will Work for Food sign but on his cart he had cut a sign advertising a dating site. So on the cart was "Single?"
With his sign I would have thought he lost a bet, so it would not occur to me he was panhandling.
The funniest one I saw was a guy holding a typical will Work for Food sign but on his cart he had cut a sign advertising a dating site. So on the cart was "Single?"
He did lose a bet. I was just being funny. Didn't go off well.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
We do have some that panhandle on the busy roads. One stands at a traffic light. If you don't give him money he will flip you off and yell at you. And ones that hang by the intersection going into the mall, you know, where all the help wanted signs are.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Well, I didn't realize it until the stats came out, but the local youth (16-20) homeless shelter has about 50% of their population from affluent families. Families who didn't like their choices of friends, behaviour or drug/alcohol abuse and booted them. We often see panhandlers who have nice shoes or a nice jacket, but I try to remember that they are suffering to a degree (as a TEEN) that their family has cut them off and they've run out of couches to crash on.
Sometimes even the affluent ones can't go home due to an abusive situation that is being ignored because they come from a 'good' family.
Yes, their clothes are nicer than mine, but I have a safe place to sleep and live. And they are children.
Well, I didn't realize it until the stats came out, but the local youth (16-20) homeless shelter has about 50% of their population from affluent families. Families who didn't like their choices of friends, behaviour or drug/alcohol abuse and booted them. We often see panhandlers who have nice shoes or a nice jacket, but I try to remember that they are suffering to a degree (as a TEEN) that their family has cut them off and they've run out of couches to crash on. Sometimes even the affluent ones can't go home due to an abusive situation that is being ignored because they come from a 'good' family.
Yes, their clothes are nicer than mine, but I have a safe place to sleep and live. And they are children.
Well, I didn't realize it until the stats came out, but the local youth (16-20) homeless shelter has about 50% of their population from affluent families. Families who didn't like their choices of friends, behaviour or drug/alcohol abuse and booted them. We often see panhandlers who have nice shoes or a nice jacket, but I try to remember that they are suffering to a degree (as a TEEN) that their family has cut them off and they've run out of couches to crash on. Sometimes even the affluent ones can't go home due to an abusive situation that is being ignored because they come from a 'good' family.
Yes, their clothes are nicer than mine, but I have a safe place to sleep and live. And they are children.
I haven't seen panhandlers that young around here. Unless a person is of majority, the parents have to support them. If they are on the streets it's because they are run a ways. Sure, some are from abusive homes, but the minors are taken care of if they want the help. Most don't want help because it means having to give up getting high and not be able to hang out with their druggie friends.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I look at it this way. God asked us to love and help others. He didnt say to first verify if they qualify for our help... he simply said to help. So when I see that person on the corner and I have a spare $5 in my purse, He is looking at me to see if I am giving. Not to see if I check first if that person is a 'real' pan handler.
I look at it this way. God asked us to love and help others. He didnt say to first verify if they qualify for our help... he simply said to help. So when I see that person on the corner and I have a spare $5 in my purse, He is looking at me to see if I am giving. Not to see if I check first if that person is a 'real' pan handler.
I don't give because most are panhandling for drug money, enabling them to buy drugs will harm them. There are homeless shelters, food pantries, etc if that is their need.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
They're not taken care of here, with the exception of the shelters. If the Ministry gets involved (not a church ministry, but a government one) they will not receive services because they have somewhere to sleep. And are over 14. Even so, children age out of ministry care (foster homes) at 18. And are removed from foster care to figure it out on their own. Sometimes these kids age out and find themselves with nowhere to go. They wind up at shelters, an SRO or On the street. Even if the foster family wants to keep them they can't because they will lose their license to foster because they broke the contract.
We have a kid at work right now who is aging out and will have a supported living environment (a small room with a 'house parent ' who checks in weekly. She gets a bed, a kitchenette (think dorm fridge size) and a bathroom. She has nothing. We're finding donations of all sorts of things. I just pulled out a single duvet I used for 10+ years until I could afford a good one. And a pile of silverware that my mom was offloading in her 'downsizing'. Without this bed + heat situation she'd be on the street. No money, nowhere safe to go. Even with this she could still wind up panhandling to buy food and clothes.
I look at it this way. God asked us to love and help others. He didnt say to first verify if they qualify for our help... he simply said to help. So when I see that person on the corner and I have a spare $5 in my purse, He is looking at me to see if I am giving. Not to see if I check first if that person is a 'real' pan handler.
I don't give because most are panhandling for drug money, enabling them to buy drugs will harm them. There are homeless shelters, food pantries, etc if that is their need.
Cheerios, I have to agree with IKWTDS but with a caveat... it depends on the area of the country. Here in California, especially in larger cities, it is simply crazy with organized panhandling groups. Yes, organized as in "I'll load you in the van and take you to the best street corners each morning, then take you home again for a piece of the action" I hate not giving someone a hand, but so many of them are just getting extra $ for, as IKWTDS said, drugs and alcohol. Here in Fresno we do have resources for them, but they also have to follow rules (which many do not want).
Your part of the country may be different because your weather is more fierce in the winter. I suspect a panhandler in your area has a higher element of real need than the professional ones we have here. I wish I had the answer - it's getting worse, not better.
So I was waiting one morning and this guy comes up to me. Huge sob story, GF is in the hospital 45 minutes away. Needs to buy I bus ticket can I spare $15? No.
A week later the same loser shows up, same story. I look at him and said,' Umm, guess you don't remember trying to sell me that story last week.' He looked shocked and walked away.
My sister calls to tell me about the guy shaking people down. I tell her my story. I think we laughed for 20 minutes.
They're not taken care of here, with the exception of the shelters. If the Ministry gets involved (not a church ministry, but a government one) they will not receive services because they have somewhere to sleep. And are over 14. Even so, children age out of ministry care (foster homes) at 18. And are removed from foster care to figure it out on their own. Sometimes these kids age out and find themselves with nowhere to go. They wind up at shelters, an SRO or On the street. Even if the foster family wants to keep them they can't because they will lose their license to foster because they broke the contract.
We have a kid at work right now who is aging out and will have a supported living environment (a small room with a 'house parent ' who checks in weekly. She gets a bed, a kitchenette (think dorm fridge size) and a bathroom. She has nothing. We're finding donations of all sorts of things. I just pulled out a single duvet I used for 10+ years until I could afford a good one. And a pile of silverware that my mom was offloading in her 'downsizing'. Without this bed + heat situation she'd be on the street. No money, nowhere safe to go. Even with this she could still wind up panhandling to buy food and clothes.
That is sad.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
On my commute to NYC, I used to pass a gentleman in the
passageway between the bus and the subway. He played
the sweetest saxophone you ever heard - all the old goodies.
I'd smile and say "good morning" or "good evening", and he'd
always smile and wish me a blessed day.
One evening, I had half of my luncheon sandwich in a to-go
container, and I asked him if he'd like it. His face just lit up
with his pleasure. I didn't have cash I could drop in his
instrument case, but I sure could share my food with him.
In the morning, he'd always comment on how good his
dinner sandwich was - and tell me exactly what was in it,
so I know he ate it.
On weekends, I tried to make sure he had enough for 3-4
light meals. He was such a gentle man, just trying to give
a smile to the commuters as they rushed by. I smile every
time I think of him.
On my commute to NYC, I used to pass a gentleman in the passageway between the bus and the subway. He played the sweetest saxophone you ever heard - all the old goodies. I'd smile and say "good morning" or "good evening", and he'd always smile and wish me a blessed day.
One evening, I had half of my luncheon sandwich in a to-go container, and I asked him if he'd like it. His face just lit up with his pleasure. I didn't have cash I could drop in his instrument case, but I sure could share my food with him. In the morning, he'd always comment on how good his dinner sandwich was - and tell me exactly what was in it, so I know he ate it.
On weekends, I tried to make sure he had enough for 3-4 light meals. He was such a gentle man, just trying to give a smile to the commuters as they rushed by. I smile every time I think of him.
That is a man working for his take, not a panhandler in my opinion. Love the street music.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
My sil will drive thru McDonald's if he sees a panhandler and give him food
i offered to do that once, even asked what they might like to eat, while i was on my way into a McDonald's to buy my breakfast. i asked the man sitting on the sidewalk, in the winter, holding a sign saying "homeless, please help". and was sworn at, after which it was announced that he did NOT eat fast food. alrighty then.
I was out with friends one day and a couple approached us and said they were nursing students. Uh, no way. But anyways, they said they just wanted some food. We were in a shopping center that had a big lots so we said we would meet them there and they could load up on non perishables. We drove over to Big Lots and looked for them. They had crossed the lot and had approached someone else.
We don't really have many panhandlers, just on the on ramp to the interstate, there will usually be someone there and at one other intersection. But it's not all the time and it's not usually the same person. If I have cash, sometimes I'll give them $10. I won't miss that ten bucks, but it might mean the world to them.
We have a shopping area that has a couple different eating establishments. One time I saw a guy walking along the sidewalk looking in the windows, he was carrying a couple bags with a sign strapped to one of them. I approached him and asked if he was hungry. At first he was hesitant, but I said, if you're hungry, pick a place and you can eat. He finally gave in and picked the Mexican place. We went in, I got him seated and bought him a gift certificate that would more than cover a meal, the place said he would just get the change. I lost count how many times he thanked me. I wish I had been able to sit and eat with him, to hear his story. But I was already late for an appointment, but I felt I was supposed to help him. I remember the looks the other diners gave him, like what is someone like him doing sitting down at a restaurant to eat? I know I should expect it by now, but it still amazes me how judgemental people can be.
I look at it this way. God asked us to love and help others. He didnt say to first verify if they qualify for our help... he simply said to help. So when I see that person on the corner and I have a spare $5 in my purse, He is looking at me to see if I am giving. Not to see if I check first if that person is a 'real' pan handler.
I agree cheerios
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Was it a bad day?
Or was it a bad five minutes that you milked all day?
Here's a situation that exactly mirrors the situation I described above. A teenager from an alcohol/drug fueled home that moves from hotel to hotel with a pile of children. This kid chooses to break the cycle and the Child & Youth Ministry won't step in. They say their job is to re-unite the family and investigate if extended family, etc. are options or to look at foster care. And yet, they've investigated nothing. They won't assess him for a youth agreement (he would get subsidized living and a room). They also won't investigate his original family. This kid is stuck couch surfing with a family that can't afford it. THIS is what pisses me off about our system. Of course this kid is going to wind up homeless and probably panhandling. He will need food when this family can no longer support him. Keep in mind that this is a story from the Province newspaper, so ignore the 'bleeding heart' bits and look at the way that his situation is being handled. Also, he's in a tiny town, so there are no shelters for him to go to.
Boy struggling to make it on his own FRANK PEEBLES / PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Alexander Lenfesty, 17, left his dysfunctional family in another town to settle into school in Prince George. - Citizen photo by Frank Peebles He's on his own, he has removed himself from his dysfunctional family home so he can get through school and achieve his potential, but he's only getting donated help.
Alexander Lenfesty knew he was being swallowed alive by cyclical lifestyles his parents were born into. Drugs, alcohol, acrimony, bad choices, lack of education, lack of responsible life-leaders.
He knew if he wanted to realize his true abilities in life, he had to leave.
So he did.
He is excelling in school in Prince George, while his mom, dad and other family members are in other towns. But he is living in borrowed and donated conditions. He cannot even get so much as a meeting of inquiry with the ministry responsible for helping young people.
"The ministry (of Children and Family Development) needs to step up. They have a budget for exactly this kind of young man," said Florence Schultz, a local woman who has, along with her son, taken Lenfesty in as best they can.
"Here's a kid who is exactly what that kind of help is there for. He's smart, he's hard working, he stays out of trouble, he avoids things that will get him off his education path. But they won't help him."
When asked if there are any programs available that a minor can access if they self-remove themselves from a problematic home environment, a spokesperson from the MCFD said: "every young person's situation is different and would be assessed by a ministry social worker based on individual circumstances. Without any specific identifying information, all we can immediately tell you is that the ministry's goal is always to try to keep families together - provided there are no immediate risks to the child or youth's safety and well-being. Rather than remove a young person from family, the first avenue to explore would be whether or not extended family and friends are in a position to provide temporary care. Where that is not possible, the next step is to take a look at whether foster care is the answer or whether a youth agreement (ages 16-18) or an agreement with a young adult (ages 19-26) might be an option."
Lenfesty is 17.
He would love to discuss a youth agreement with someone from the ministry, but each time he's tried, no meeting with a staff person is provided for him.
"Some kids transition to a youth agreement after having been in foster care and having had a relationship with the ministry; some come from other circumstances, and social workers would have to take the time to assess their family situation accordingly," said the MCFD spokesperson.
"That said, not all youth who are interested in a youth agreement would necessarily qualify. Without knowing this youth's situation and how much contact they've had with the ministry, I can only emphasize that 'the ministry's goal is always to try to keep families together - provided there are no immediate risks to the child or youth's safety and well-being.'
"For more information," the ministry staff person said, "the youth should contact the Child & Family Resource Office for his or her area (for Prince George, that's 1-250-645-3978). If after contacting the office this young person feels they aren't getting the services they need, he or she may then call 1-877-387-7027 and a complaints specialist will expedite the request."
Lenfesty isn't prone to complain.
He also isn't endowed with adulthood's assertiveness that even escapes many beyond the age of majority. He admitted that the inaction of the ministry only made him feel glum, not motivated to peel back the layers of government.
He is going to Duchess Park secondary school. He walks there and back each day, in all weather, from his borrowed home on McDermid Drive, the residence of Gord Schultz-Hill, the son of Florence and the father of a school friend. After seeing Lenfesty struggle to keep on a positive path in life, Schultz-Hill told him he could stay as long as he wanted, and consider himself a member of the family. But Schultz-Hill has limited means, and sees Lenfesty's life potential being squandered.
"He can't even get a meeting with MCFD. He's been in, trying to get help, but they haven't even scheduled a meeting with him. He's been trying since August," said Schultz-Hill. "He can't focus on his education because he has no income. He can't very well get much of a job, because that takes him away from school. No high school kid should have to make choices like that. The main reason why I agreed he could stay with us was his strong sense of family, and I mean strong. He'll do just about any job, and then the money he makes he spends on his little siblings who are still back with his mom. And he never deviates from that. He cannot stand being idle, and he has this amazing sense of responsibility. And his bedroom is always so clean it makes me want to clean the whole house up. He just needs help. It's help that's supposed to be there for a kid like that."
"It was hard on my sisters and brother when I left but they (his mom, stepfather and absentee biological father) weren't being good parents, and I was being expected to parent the younger ones and go to school and look after myself and everything," the teen said. "I had school. I knew I had to do that. But life was a mess. For awhile, all of us were living in a motel room. Where we were going to live was always a problem, and there was other stuff. I had to be on my own if I was going to get an education."
He had a roof over his head, food on the table, and peace in his daily life once he was settled in Prince George, away from the turmoil in his familial scene. He could afford little else. The Native Friendship Centre in Prince George provided him with basic school supplies (Lenfesty is aboriginal with ancestral kinship to the Lake Babine Nation in the Burns Lake area and the Tzeachten First Nation in the Chilliwack area). His clothes have been gathered through donations.
Lenfesty is accustomed to fighting adversity for his daily life. The first defining moment in his life was, at age 10, when he started experiencing searing head pain, suddenly walking pigeon-toed, and vomiting. The brain tumour doctors discovered nearly killed him, but after emergency surgery and intense recovery regimens, he is cancer-free. He is now doing his best to keep inner scars from forming as dramatically as the ones on his head.
- See more at: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/news/local-news/boy-struggling-to-make-it-on-his-own-1.5616054?utm_content=bufferd82ca&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.ASrv3MQE.dpuf
-- Edited by Tignanello on Thursday 29th of December 2016 11:36:16 AM
That is a very interesting story. Why doesn't the Canadian government help? My hat is off to that kid. He is a good kid and deserves help. BTW, some of the same flavor here in our family court system. Some judges ignore the parents' behavior and return kids to their care.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
the Ministry of Child & Family Development IS the government. They are a totally useless waste of money. The description above is pretty much what they do. Consistently.
the Ministry of Child & Family Development IS the government. They are a totally useless waste of money. The description above is pretty much what they do. Consistently.
Time for the voters to rise up and change it.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
we tried. Complete change of leadership. Party, party leader, etc. Both Federally and Provincially. And a full review of the Ministry's performance (which came out as dismal and highlighted the amount of abuse going on in foster homes and totally uncovered the conditions that kids who age out are sent to live in) has had no effect. Nobody fired, no changes to the system, nothing. Bloody Ministry is terrible.
Our provincial government is not career. She's also an idiot. However, she's been upfront in the Fentanyl drama. She got blasted at the Federal Summit for saying that there was fentanyl in weed and everybody freaked out saying that there wasn't. She apologized for her error and then a week later tests showed fentanyl in weed throughout the province. She knows what she is doing with some things - just not with others.
It would be great if she could move some money into mental health specifically ear marked for shelters or treatment or occupational rehab, but apparently it's like turning a tanker ship.
Was just passing an intersection where the panhandlers stand. There were 3 police cars. First thought in my head was someone got hit by a car. No, they had one in cuffs and were digging through his pockets. It was a red light so I was watching them count his money. He had a bunch of bills. Probably ones. Kinda made me sad though. This guy just stands there. He's not one to walk up and ask for money.
-- Edited by Southern_Belle on Friday 6th of January 2017 01:19:14 PM
I hate not giving someone a hand, but so many of them are just getting extra $ for, as IKWTDS said, drugs and alcohol. Here in Fresno we do have resources for them, but they also have to follow rules (which many do not want). 