We had much needed mens’ clothes donated last Wednesday and over half went out. Most of the camps were lived in but nobody was home. So again next week well take out the clothes and see where we are then.
Water went slowly today most were more interested in being warm. One guy told me he got so thirsty that he filled a bottle from the creek and drank it. I reminded him that that creek is city run off. You can see the oil floating on top of it most of the time and when It floods the sewage overflows into it. Not good decision making but all we can do is warn.
We gave out blankets and hats as well. Women were very happy at that. The city has once again told certain camps to move out and most have just shifted a few feet onto Railroad property but the mental folks are acting like its the end of the world.
I do shake my head at folks who are upset they don’t have the latest iPhone or toy and I got folks here who are happy to have new sox and a blanket, a dream filled would be a new tent... As a country I think we just may have our priorities in the wrong order, some may say “they deserve to be homeless” or “that’s what they get” but the reality is each person has a different story. Each person fights their own issues and demons. One guy in village 2 only gets $940 a month from Social security and having no family to stay with he has nowhere to go but the tents because after paying $100 for insurance and $100 life insurance. He asks me “where can I rent, have power on,have water on and eat for $700 a month?” I have no answer for him. (Why do folks
on welfare get more money that old folks?)
I have heard about the established Homeless organazations who now get paid by how many scans their IDs as they go in, right. All smiles but once in, they say they are hassled and treated rudely so as not to receive services.This isn’t one person or the same small group, this intel comes from those passing through and in the camps. It would be nice to see someone go undercover and secretly film this going on, as the Mayors office denys such claims.
The local Organazations are at odds with each other and wont allow you their services IF you have been getting services from another mission. So you have the choice on Wednesday night, Eat a big meal and get extra food and sleep on the street or sleep warm and get a small meal and have to depend on the next misson meal. So this really cuts into the folks feeding on Wednesday nights. What do we do?
The Homiez have nothing to lose and they will tell you all you stand to listen to.
Yes most folks are battling addictions of some sorts. Some laying in the dirt under bridges and in their own urine and some are only high for 4 days a month. But if you get a check of some sort say SS or Disability you can go into the missions and get anything because the Govt. won’t reimburse them for the check receiving folks. So they are not allowed in. I figure that’s where chairity comes in and they eat the water bill or help out groups like the unWanted or local churches to feed these folks. What business are yall in?
Now back to point, IF these missions offered counseling services, addiction services and not just AA or NA to the check receivers, wouldn’t this open up new avenues? If they offered more chances of actual success and not just a weekly meeting, where would they be now? It would help more folks, employ more workers, reach out to those who are hurting…where is the
City?
Where is the local Churches at not helping with this too. IF a church can send a hundred thousand dollars overseas, they can
drive down the street for 20 min and help those here locally and actually see results, look the folks in the eyes and not just pictures of them. There are a few churches that help out but they are small and it puts a strain on them.
Where are all the big pastors at?
Where are the volunteers at?
But when I see that new churches are going up in west Knoxville and none around the 5th street area?
What is the deal? What business yall in?
I was thinking as listing the uWo on paper work as a church group yes but an outreach group. Not like a place to go and get 3 songs and sermon but a place a individual would go to and get the opportunity to actually reach out, to see, to realize and lift up those in need like Jesus did.
In other news…
unWanted went to the annual Lost Brotherhood car show this Saturday and set up a booth and got a big bag of blankets. So thank you to Ray for collecting and Todd for inviting us out.
We are needing blankets as it is cold and socks. Water is the usual need and snack items.