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June 07, 2005
Homelessness Part 3
First of all, I hate hate hate hate hate hate these laptops and this Movabletype publishing system, I feel like screaming. Here I go typing my entry that was already nearly done. I may have some compassion for the world but I do not have any for these laptops, I wish I could kick them like the copy machine on Office Space. Great, I don't remember anything. I was saying...
I do understand where everyone is coming from through their responses because I feel the same way at times. And I do agree that personal safety is issue number one. As the title suggests, I took it upon myself to learn more about homelessness in the Twin Cities.
I found a good article here, talking about the myths of homeless people and what the situation is about it today. Many homeless people do work, there's a term for it, called "working poor." and rent requires about 30% of an individuals' income. 
The article also said that a report found in 2000 that 51% of homeless people were children or unaccompanied young adults, which is a large and disturbing number. Of course, there are centers for people who need the help, and I have yet to know that that much information about this subject. There is another article from pulsetc.com here. According the a survey done by the Wilder Foundation, there are about 8,000 homeless people in the Twin Cities. It's just hard to imagine for me that there are people out there in the winter since I can hardly stand the cold myself. Now I'm not saying "oh they are so poor you should give them all your money" or anything, I just think it's a good topic to know about. Jen mentioned that she volunteers at a food shelf and the other Jen volunteers at a homeless shelter on Thanksgiving with her family, which I think is wonderful.
Posted by thao0226 at June 7, 2005 02:13 PM | How to Save the World
Comments
I have heard rumors about the homeless shelters in the area. Basically, that there is a very limited amount of bedspace so you have to get there asap or else you are out of luck. I think they have separate places for battered women and children though.
Posted by: Dawn at June 7, 2005 02:28 PM
If giving people money directly makes you feel uncomfortable (as it does me), there are always charitable organizations that help out that need money. I like UNICEF (www.unicef.org), because how can you argue against helping children? As everyone's favorite moral philosopher Peter Singer notes in this life-changing article (http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/19990905.htm), "no one can argue that children have brought their poverty on themselves."
By the way, I really enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Tim M. at June 7, 2005 03:49 PM