Our whole region should fund the homeless shelter

[takenitlight]

Shelly wrote:

...No one is asking you to go hungry. The most important thing you can give is time. Your spare time is free.
Get your own lazy butts out off of this feed and go see how things really are. United Way is currently in need of volunteers.

The most important thing I can give them is a good kick in the a** if they got up long enough to receive it! Next to that is a rake or paint brush.

"Your spare time is free."? Time is Money!!! What little Time is left after working hard away from home is for my family!

Maybe the United Way should cut down on "minority" funded handouts as they are getting money from the government as well. Can't think of the term I want right now, but they get funding from all sorts of sources...not double fisting, but... They cut that & give it to your "Uninhabitated Engineers".

I said it b4: We could use a maid, need my gutters cleaned, yard raked, & cars waxed!!!

[Shelly]

NASA engineers homeless: From a conversation with the founder of Vibrant Life Ministries. He met a NASA engineer living under Bypass bridge in a suit. He was part of a engineering program, but when the program moved its base to Texas, they did not offer him a job [he was older than most of the engineers]. He has been looking for jobs here, but has found nothing. I can imagine that there are not many career opportunities for NASA Engineers in tourist Williamsburg.

90% may be a nation trend [though I question where you found that statistic and how they qualified "addicted to drugs"] but in Williamsburg, the same man cited 25%, and he has worked with them first hand. He keeps records of the people he works with, unlike the City.

Are there really thousands of illegal immigrants in Williamsburg? Where are they hiding amng the 70,000-ish residents of WJCC? Where are their children going to school? Not in my school. Where did you get your facts? Many of those same immigrants go to the United Way to get help. They are not doing to well for themselves, but that is a diversion from the topic.

Yes, four hours a week at the Prime Outlets, in fact. She was working around 20-40 hours between the two jobs before, but now business is down with construction and profit figures don't compare to last year so they are laying off workers and drastically cutting down hours.

[Islander native]

Shelly wrote:

Iam 18 and have just finished my senior research paper on the topic of homelessness in Williamsburg.

Then I hope you won't be upset when I suggest you need to experience the real world before condemning the opinions of others. You've never had to support your own family much less paid the taxes required to support someone else's.

Shelly wrote:

Golden Corral pays just over two dollars an hour and hotels pay a little over three dollars per room cleaned.

First rule of research - don't make blanket statements that can be easily contradicted. First, That $2/hr is supplemented by tips which are largely unreported to the IRS. Therefore,$5/hr in tips equals $7/hr to the rest of us.

Shelly wrote:

A family friend is working two jobs at an Outlet Mall but because of poor business her total hours for next week add up to 4. That is not her fault.

And I assume you think it's mine? Well it's not, and it's not my responsibility either.

Shelly wrote:

The homeless include educated like NASA engineers who can't find a job in this area.

And yet we still have an enormous unemployment rate? How do you explain that? Perhaps the educated may have to take temporary jobs requiring lesser education in order to keep from being homeless.

Shelly wrote:

Clergy who have lost face and people with cancer who can't afford treatment. Yes, there are mentally ill and addicts, but they are not the only ones.

Don't forget the lazy and unmotivated.

Shelly wrote:

It is because of you "Not In My Backyard-ers" that we cannot give these families and individuals a way to learn life skills and the tools to get off the street.

Get your own backyard before you criticize what I want in mine. When you say "we cannot give", who exactly are you referring to? I know you don't pay any taxes so really you mean "you canot use my tax money to give".

Shelly wrote:

Your spare time is free.
Get your own lazy butts out off of this feed and go see how things really are.

No, my spare time is not free. This statement shows your immaturity and inability to view real world situations in an adult manner.

Also, you post a statement telling us not to lump all homeless into the categories, yet you call us lazy because we aren't doing what you think is right? Hypocrit much? Grow up, move out of Daddy's house, support a family, then I'll consider discussing adult issues with you.

[takenitlight]

Islander native wrote:

<quoted text>
Then I hope you won't be upset when I suggest you need to experience the real world before condemning the opinions of others. You've never had to support your own family much less paid the taxes required to support someone else's.
<quoted text>
First rule of research - don't make blanket statements that can be easily contradicted. First, That $2/hr is supplemented by tips which are largely unreported to the IRS. Therefore,$5/hr in tips equals $7/hr to the rest of us.
<quoted text>
And I assume you think it's mine? Well it's not, and it's not my responsibility either.
<quoted text>
And yet we still have an enormous unemployment rate? How do you explain that? Perhaps the educated may have to take temporary jobs requiring lesser education in order to keep from being homeless.
<quoted text>
Don't forget the lazy and unmotivated.
<quoted text>
Get your own backyard before you criticize what I want in mine. When you say "we cannot give", who exactly are you referring to? I know you don't pay any taxes so really you mean "you canot use my tax money to give".
<quoted text>
No, my spare time is not free. This statement shows your immaturity and inability to view real world situations in an adult manner.
Also, you post a statement telling us not to lump all homeless into the categories, yet you call us lazy because we aren't doing what you think is right? Hypocrit much? Grow up, move out of Daddy's house, support a family, then I'll consider discussing adult issues with you.

Nice job Islander!!! Her lib "teacher must have creamed all over when he/ she read Shelly's "paper."

One item though: When she moves out, gets a full time job, starts paying taxes, not including family obligations, etc; she won't have any "Spare time" to discuss any issues w/ you!

[Biff Tannen]

So this one NASA engineer is a third hand account which may not even be true. Sometimes people need to relocate to find a job. I have done it several times. I know for a fact that the government will move federal employees at no expense to the employee and will find you another job if yours is eliminated. It's called "priority placement."

Why are illegal immigrants being supported by the United Way? Don't we have enough legal residents they can help? I guess my charity dollars need to go elsewhere. If you want to see illegals, hang out at Lowes or Walmart for a while

There are plenty of jobs around if you are willing to work. Walmart is always looking.

Shelly wrote:

NASA engineers homeless: From a conversation with the founder of Vibrant Life Ministries. He met a NASA engineer living under Bypass bridge in a suit. He was part of a engineering program, but when the program moved its base to Texas, they did not offer him a job [he was older than most of the engineers]. He has been looking for jobs here, but has found nothing. I can imagine that there are not many career opportunities for NASA Engineers in tourist Williamsburg.
90% may be a nation trend [though I question where you found that statistic and how they qualified "addicted to drugs"] but in Williamsburg, the same man cited 25%, and he has worked with them first hand. He keeps records of the people he works with, unlike the City.
Are there really thousands of illegal immigrants in Williamsburg? Where are they hiding amng the 70,000-ish residents of WJCC? Where are their children going to school? Not in my school. Where did you get your facts? Many of those same immigrants go to the United Way to get help. They are not doing to well for themselves, but that is a diversion from the topic.
Yes, four hours a week at the Prime Outlets, in fact. She was working around 20-40 hours between the two jobs before, but now business is down with construction and profit figures don't compare to last year so they are laying off workers and drastically cutting down hours.

[Islander native]

takenitlight wrote:

<quoted text>
Nice job Islander!!! Her lib "teacher must have creamed all over when he/ she read Shelly's "paper."
One item though: When she moves out, gets a full time job, starts paying taxes, not including family obligations, etc; she won't have any "Spare time" to discuss any issues w/ you!

Bleeding heart libs are killing this country and corrupting our youth.

[Islander native]

Biff Tannen wrote:

So this one NASA engineer is a third hand account which may not even be true. Sometimes people need to relocate to find a job. I have done it several times. I know for a fact that the government will move federal employees at no expense to the employee and will find you another job if yours is eliminated. It's called "priority placement."
<quoted text>

Don't forget this is a government "engineer". EVERYONE in the government is some form of an engineer - custodial engineer (janitor), landscape engineer (grasscutter), food service engineer (cook), etc. And the info is coming from someone with no responsibilities or real world experience.

[Williamsburg]

It's easy for a high school child to tell everyone what to do as they sit in the comfy homes their parents provide, eat the free food, and play with on MySpace all night. :)

[david hoffman]

people that are homeless they dont want to live outside alot of homeless here in williamsburg va cant help it there are in bad hart,or lungs or messed up in the head..and cant work they make money but not $600 to get a aptthey have to eat maybe we should think about that when we let them buld all the stores here not apts for people to live in

[Kelly]

david hoffman wrote:

people that are homeless they dont want to live outside alot of homeless here in williamsburg va cant help it there are in bad hart,or lungs or messed up in the head..and cant work they make money but not $600 to get a aptthey have to eat maybe we should think about that when we let them buld all the stores here not apts for people to live in

I'm not trying to be a jerk but I can't understand what you're talking about. Your post does not make sense...

[MTV]

People are homeless because George Bush doesn't care.

[Gaelic-Ioudaious]

Jack wrote:

<quoted text>
Somebody who signs papers as important as a home loan that didn't understand the terms deserves what they get. The most important purchase in their lives and they didn't understand? Give me a break!

I agree. If they can not comprehend the importance of fine lines, why did not the closing attorney explain it to WOW? WOW!!!!Yawn....back to the homeless issue

[Gaelic-Ioudaious]

Of course this is my opinion of the homelessness:

There are agencies "who" are geared to help those who can not help themselves.
Those agencies will not go out looking, unless it is a senior and the Adult Protective Services can be called.
Those who are homeless, for the most part like it.
With agencies in tact, I DO NOT want to bear the burden anymore than I want to bear the burden of the addicts, drunks or otherwise.
Having said this, or you feel I come across as a "cold hearted" individual, it is apersonal choice if they do not allow the agencies to help.
It is in part, a mental disease that keeps them from seeking help. If that be the case, then the agency(s) should be positioned to respond in a timely manner and appoint a guaudian or ward of the state.
If Children are invloved, then by all means, they should be notified. That would be the extent of law abiding folks who have their own house to care for. If the agency(s) which ever they may be, allow a mentally challenged, drug addict who has been through the system and goes back to the streets, pray tell, a choice and that is that. Tax payers pay for rehabilitation.
If an abusive situation is at hand, then there are shelters for a spouse or otherwise, and their kids to go to. In secret. Food shelter are supplied by private and federal grants. Tax monies.
If the world want a part of the action (private, do so.) Just keep it out of communities that have not been accustomed to such a life. Church,Temples at times can help. What more can I say. It is not my responsibility to go seek and find. It would be my portion to bear if children are involved. It would be my conscience if they are elderly. All others, agency bound hit the road.

[Gaelic-Ioudaious]

correction: involved

[Gaelic-Ioudaious]

MTV wrote:

People are homeless because George Bush doesn't care.

Moronic statement or are you looking for attention? Homelessness was here long before BUSH....beavis.

[Gaelic-Ioudaious]

MTV......your mentality is showing the MTV generation....grow up.....

[Duke]

Gaelic-Ioudaious wrote:

Of course this is my opinion of the homelessness:
There are agencies "who" are geared to help those who can not help themselves.
Those agencies will not go out looking, unless it is a senior and the Adult Protective Services can be called.
Those who are homeless, for the most part like it.
With agencies in tact, I DO NOT want to bear the burden anymore than I want to bear the burden of the addicts, drunks or otherwise.
Having said this, or you feel I come across as a "cold hearted" individual, it is apersonal choice if they do not allow the agencies to help.
It is in part, a mental disease that keeps them from seeking help. If that be the case, then the agency(s) should be positioned to respond in a timely manner and appoint a guaudian or ward of the state.
If Children are invloved, then by all means, they should be notified. That would be the extent of law abiding folks who have their own house to care for. If the agency(s) which ever they may be, allow a mentally challenged, drug addict who has been through the system and goes back to the streets, pray tell, a choice and that is that. Tax payers pay for rehabilitation.
If an abusive situation is at hand, then there are shelters for a spouse or otherwise, and their kids to go to. In secret. Food shelter are supplied by private and federal grants. Tax monies.
If the world want a part of the action (private, do so.) Just keep it out of communities that have not been accustomed to such a life. Church,Temples at times can help. What more can I say. It is not my responsibility to go seek and find. It would be my portion to bear if children are involved. It would be my conscience if they are elderly. All others, agency bound hit the road.

It is apparent that most who are commenting on this blog have a very narrow perspective due to life experience. My sister is bi-polar and now homeless. It is not a choice, it is horrifying reality. The guardianship process is not as easy as it is dipicted. I might have some of the same neat pat answers as others if I had not lived through it myself. It is surreal and convoluted. I will leave it at that...

If those commenting were really interested, they would look at true facts and not their own preconceived opinions from their limited life perspective. Homeless facts 1/3 are working homeless-they just don't make enough money to make it. They are not lazy but hard working people with families. Studies say that this number is way off and many go unreported because they are prideful and embarrassed. 1/3 are homeless due to mental illness and 1/3 have some type of addiction. Those are the raw, reported statics. With that said, who is counting the homeless? Experts state that their numbers are lower that what actually exists. That is the infomation, take it as you will.

Show some compassion. If you want to help, then help. If not don't. That is the beautiful thing about freedom. It is our right. It is not our right to judge another. Especially with the limited information that is displayed on this site. There is no gun being held to your head. It is everyone's right to what they are impassionate about that is legal. You were all young once and felt impassionate about something. Many of you have called this high school senior out on "life experience" however your responses show that you have more time on the planet but no true knowledge or experience with the topic. Seems like as though your statements can be applied to yourself.

Inequality and injustices do exists in this world like it or not. The other side of the coin is that no one wants help from someone that does not want to give it. Your statement show your lack of education and or expeience with this topic. The topic as life is complex. If this short, "pat" responses well founded then the problem would not exist. Just some food for thought.

[momma]

Equalizer wrote:

Why did your mom give you the boot?
<quoted text>

i know a young couple, shes pregnant and due in just a couple weeks, he has a low paying job, they were evicted out of an apartment due to its falling down. now they are homeless..where will they live and raise that baby? we can look in our own backyard and see people becoming homeless all the time due to no fault of their own...how do they get help? where do they go..they call and call for help and no one is helping..i have given them alot but cant provide shelter cause i have no room..none!! a floor..is that where the girl should have her baby?..

[Sparkling Wiggles]

momma wrote:

<quoted text>
i know a young couple, shes pregnant and due in just a couple weeks, he has a low paying job, they were evicted out of an apartment due to its falling down. now they are homeless..where will they live and raise that baby? we can look in our own backyard and see people becoming homeless all the time due to no fault of their own...how do they get help? where do they go..they call and call for help and no one is helping..i have given them alot but cant provide shelter cause i have no room..none!! a floor..is that where the girl should have her baby?..

So you're saying the fact that she got knocked up by some loser with a low paying job is no fault of her own?

[ssjkaine]

What if that was you needing help? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have the same mindset. "Oh it's not my problem"...the fact is life doesn't care if you are employed,have stocks/bonds/extra cash,have a nice home in Kingsmill, all of that can vanish quickly. It doesn't take much to be homeless and it's embarrassing to read how some of the people who live in my hometown think. It's sad.