HOMELESS ORIENTATION 101 Friday March 5 2010
Bill Policy's Homeless Man is one of the truest and funniest comic I've ever seen. I thought I'd share it with you. I don't think Bill will mind. You can follow this strip in The Denver Voice.
Two articles about students, here and in the UK, sparked a question: Is it possible to learn about homelessness in one night on the street, through one day of hunger?
I mean sure, you can gain a limited awareness on the subject. I'm glad that's the case, and I'm not condemning these kids for their actions. They are to be commended. But, I really think it takes an entire 24 hours to get even the smallest inkling of what homelessness really means.
Wait in line for clothes, food, medical care, a day labor assignment, etc. Be told "We can't help you with that," a half -dozen times in one day. Be ignored or stared at, or thrown out of a store or off a property because of how you look. Get woke up in the middle of the night and harassed and cited by the police. Shower with a bunch of strangers. Take a crap in a bathroom stall without a door. Have your belongings searched on a regular basis. Get assaulted by a drug-crazed kook in a park...
...just a few of millions of possible suggestions. Give it a full day. Then you're just beginning to experience how homeless people live every day.
Please, leave your experiences, thoughts and opinions by clicking on the "comments" link below.
Utah
Regis Hotel shutting its doors by Aaron Falk Deseret News [photo: Kieth Johnson Deseret News-"Billy Mick stands outside The Regis Hotel in Salt Lake City last May. Its residents have been given eviction notices"]
Salt Lake teens go hungry so others won't by Elizabeth Stuart Deseret NewsUtah nonprofits get share of $310K grant thespectrum.com (St. George)
Nation
200,000 to lose unemployment benefits this week 1.2 million could lose benefits in March. by Arthur Delaney The Huffington Post
Broke, homeless and now a culinary star by Scott James The New York Times
World
[UK] students spend a night out on the streets (article and video) BBC News [photo: BBC. "The students used cardboard boxes to try and keep out the cold."]
Art and Entertainment
Bon Jovi's new tour "The singer plans to visit as many homeless shelters and programs as time allows..." by Gene Johnson Associated Press [photo: Jason Decrow AP]
CITY ROOM: Homeless NYC man braves Oscar predictions " ...an irregular library regular..." by Corey Kilgannon The New York Times
Romania's homeless [art ] genius, Ian Barladeanu by Lizzie Davies Guardian World News
Channel as much positive energy as you can spare in sympathy for those in Chile who experienced the largest earthquake ever recorded, and are dealing with the aftermath. Spring is coming; hang in there. ---your editor
Look for more frequent updates here at The Rio Grande Report in the coming weeks. More news, more frequently, in the interest of keeping you better informed and educated on homeless issues.
Look for more frequent updates here at The Rio Grande Report in the coming weeks. More news, more frequently, in the interest of keeping you better informed and educated on homeless issues.
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