Please Read about Homeless Vet that lives on the State Street Bridge

[corarose]

I have befriended a homeless vet that lives on the State Street bridge in Chicago and he is such a nice man.

The homeless vet tells everyone that passes him that he is a democrat and when he told me that I gave him $20.00 bucks.

Several Australian men that were walking across the bridge in front of me gave him money also and he had a long conversation with them and this man is very smart.

My question is what else can I do for the man. I don't have money because I am only working part time right now.

He is not a drunk or drug addict he is homeless because of Bush and he tells everyone that crosses the bridge.

I think that he would be willing to have people sign the petition to recall Jr but I don't want him hurt.

Should I ask him to ask people to sign the recall Jr petition?

Also there are families living under the bridge and lower Wacker Drive is starting to fill up again at night. We now have children begging for money as we walk across the bridge and I feel so sorry for them but I don't have the money to give each person a dollar or two.

The homeless sleep on the boats docked at my building.


Weeks ago we had a legless Viet Nam vet that I haven't seen in about a month and no one knows where he is at and I am praying to God that the man has found a home and he is alright.

[XanaDUer]

1. First of all, thanks for being such a nice person.

than, call the public library and see if there are any resources for the disabled.

Many libraries put together resource packages for the disadvantaged and homeless.

[corarose]

2. Bush cut funds to the VA

They are closing the VA hospital and nursing home that use to house these men.
They are now out in the Streets of Chicago and my heart breaks every time I see them.

The fought for this country and they are living in our Streets, eating our garbage and they don't have health care.

Sorry for the rant but I get disgusted every night.

Thanks I will call them.

[XanaDUer]

3. Rant away...

I know the feeling. My area is overrun with homeless vets, and the area was voted the 5th meanest city in the USA towards the homeless.

Plus, it's a super-patriotic town, too. Go figure.

[KamaAina]

8. Congratulations! (sarcasm) Honolulu's down to 19th this year

and the area was voted the 5th meanest city in the USA towards the homeless.

The Queen City of the Pacific plummeted all the way to 19th from a Top Ten finish in 2002. And believe me, it ain't because we've finally seen the light! This is without doubt the only place where there is a large-scale mass migration of homeless people; as soon as the city cracks down on in-town spots like Ala Moana Beach Park, people get on the bus and head for the Wai'anae Coast, 30 miles away!

And with all that, plus the state highway department fencing off a highway underpass where people were living, far from any residential area, we still barely cracked the Top 20. Wow. Those other 18 cities must be crazy mean to have topped us. The winner*, Las Vegas, has actually instituted large-scale Asscroft-style street sweeps. :scared:

[diamond14]

11. like third world countries...Ramos bulldozed down the homeless

near the airport every once in a while...just mowed their lean-to's down, often crushing children and others underneath military bulldozers...it happened once when I was visiting and I was horrified...guess shrub's new approach...gated communities and bulldoze out the homeless...it keeps the lumpenproletariat HAPPY for their crappy little lives and repetitive jobs in weapons factories...

[diamond14]

6. there must be a bigger understanding of the COST of wars....

homeless Veterans are the COST of shrub's wars...broken families, expenses for Veterans' mental and medical health, homes and jobs for OUR Veterans, job training programs for shell-shocked Veterans...listen to all those military generals tell Congress that they had NO IDEA how much the Iraq war would cost...and they carefully separate the cost of Veterans from the other costs of the military (so military costs look smaller)....

write, call, email YOUR Congress reps...they are home right now, and it's a good time to talk to them...force them to come talk to your community group, so you can ask hard questions, bring up theses issues...which shrub is pushing under the radar....

sadly, your library effort will be frustrating, as shrub has come down VERY hard on the lower classes...here in Alexandria, Virginia, my Church had to close their hundred-bed homeless shelter due to shrub's cut-backs...you won't find much room left in the social programs...they've all been cut to the bone...better to work on Congress...stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves...

[corarose]

7. We have a number of empty apartments in High Rises here in Chicago

Bush cut section 8 vouchers or they could use them for the homeless in Chicago and place them in the empty apts.

The high rises in Chicago take so many poor people so that they can receive tax write offs.
Maybe they need to add more people to each building.

Some of the wealthy don't know it but they have poor people in their buildings under section 8.

[diamond14]

4. write the story for the Chicago papers...most of our homeless

are Veterans...and as more severely injured Veterans come home everyday from the Iraq massacre...it's time again to stand up for OUR Veterans...

some people think that Veterans are just lazy or stupid, drunks or drug addicts....

I talk to the homeless Veterans here in DC all the time....and I agree with your assessment, most are here because of shrub's policies....many have health problems, most need social services, homes, jobs, medical and mental health care, dental care....

write to your congress reps...write a story about the UNIVERSAL homeless Veteran...because it's not just ONE guy...there are way too many for any one person to undertake...the best you can do is to get on the phone, fax, email to YOUR Congressional reps...and DEMAND that we end shrub's wars and help OUR Veterans...

[corarose]

5. I have tears in my eyes right now

He remembers everything about you. I passed him one day and my classes are later now and he asked If I needed him to meet me at the L for protection on my way home and I only live 2 blocks from the L.

I was in a car accident and I hit my head one time and every since I turn sentences around and I don't put my words together that well anymore.

I need help writing the article but the question is would the Right Wing Tribune or Sun Times print the story? I am going to purchase a cheap camera and I will take pictures.

The kids are getting to me because they are with their Dad and not their Mom and I don't want to get nosy and ask where's Mom.
They little girl needs her mother and a bed to sleep in. I have seen the little girl crying for her Mommy and I broke down one day from it.

[diamond14]

9. don't take pictures...many people consider that exploitation....

it's bad enough being homeless, but worse if people take photos...I try to treat homeless people with the same dignity that I would treat my neighbor...which generally means NOT to take their photos, and not to use their real names in the papers, and not to 'interview' them, but rather speak to them as a friend...

please be careful about giving out your home location to this guy...

seems that you are going to school...why not get someone on the campus to write the story...??? Interviewing YOU and the impact of homeless Veterans could be part of the story....


or, if you are uncomfortable with writing, just contact your congress reps...call them at their local offices...demand action for these Veterans and homeless families...

best approach:

contact the Catholic Workers Movement....here's a list of their efforts in Chicago...why not help them too ??? afterall, there's no help from OUR government (even though many of us think that is the government's role)

http://www.catholicworker.org/
(look under "directory" to find resources in your area...these are good hard-working volunteers...and if they can't help, they likely know other useful resources for you to tap)

[diamond14]

10. here's another group of fine volunteers who may be able to help

this is another fine group of volunteers
they are all strained to the max, but maybe if you made an effort to talk to them and work with them...you may make a difference...

thanks for caring...there are too few that do...most walk by...but every once in a while, someone like you stops to talk and that can make all the difference....these people who work with the homeless all the time, might give you some ideas on how to deal with them, and get them help...

http://www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org/states/IL.htm

[ElsewheresDaughter]

12. take him home and offer him a shower and meal....

and some cash at least once a month...clorax well kill any grime he lieaves behind...:shrug:

[oneighty]

14. Surely, ElsewheresDaughter

you are joking?

180

[ElsewheresDaughter]

16. no i am not and corarose said that he/she talks with this person for

what months/year/....i have done the same with local homeless people...especially homeless women who are most grateful for a shower...walk a mile in someone elses shoes

[Heddi]

15. I wouldn't take him home

I think that's really asking for trouble.

The OP noted they live in Chicago---I know here in SEattle, the YMCA and a few hotels in the area allow homeless people to take a shower for a buck or two.

Perhaps give him a couple of dollars and a list of places in your area where he can get a shower. Maybe go to a thrift store and get him a couple of pairs of underwear or socks or a shirt.

There's a homeless couple that hang out by a grocery store down the street from our house. One night we went to the store and saw them sitting outside eating a frozen dinner on the sidewalk. We got our stuff and went out and asked them if they needed anything to drink or anything else, because we'd be more than happy to get it for them. They were really nice---Ken and Deb :) Middle 40's---he got laid off and never was able to get on his feet again. I wasn't able to get her story, sadly enough.

My husband and I talked with them for a good 30 minutes or so---kind of shooting the shit. Asked them how they were doing---if there was anything like toothbrushes or deoderant or....SOMETHING that they needed? Hats...gloves....they turned down everything.

That night we went home. We felt happy and sad---sad, obviously that these very normal people were living very horrible lives, but happy that we got to know them. First name basis.

We figured they were declining our offers of taking them shopping out of modesty---so the next day we loaded up a stachel with toothbrushes, and a little sac of detergent, some soap, razors, fruit, bread, peanut butter---and we put it in the car with the intention of giving it to them the next time we saw them (they were always around).

Sadly, though, that night was the last time we saw either of them, and that was about 6 months ago.

I still have the packet in my car (sans perishables), but they're just not around. I pray that somehow a lead came through that actually worked out and they were able to step up the ladder....but then I worry that something bad happened to them. The streets are quite dangerous, and I have to say that I'm really worried about them :(

[Threaderizer]

13. I say NO in a big way because

homeless individuals are preyed upon by others - they are in a vulnerable state, and basically unable to protect themselves.

edited to add:

"Should I ask him to ask people to sign the recall Jr petition?"

Hell no. Help him however you can, but don't get him in the position of defending himself against the fools that roam the streets looking for a reason to cause trouble.

Good luck, however.