Edna

In Krutch Park on Christmas day I met Edna, originally from the Bronx. She says she is "retired" and "I pick up my checks at the Social Security office and cash them at the grocery store." She said she wasn't hungry, but "I haven't had a hot meal all day and that's not good." She was hoping a couple of guys from Kentucky who had given her a ride the day before would show up again and take her, along with her considerable baggage, to the Knoxville Area Rescue Mission for their 5:15 PM meal.

She said she isn't homeless, a claim which seemed to rest on the evidence that she sometimes "gets a hotel room." She lamented the expense of doing so, saying, "hotels in west Knoxville charge $70 a night and somebody told me the Crowne Plaza charges $90 or more." She speculated about the people living in the Holston Building adjacent to where she sat. She'd heard some paid "nine-hundred or a thousand dollars a month rent for just one or two bedrooms." She seemed to think that was absurd.

She told me she sometimes sleeps in the First Tennessee Plaza where there are a couple of benches and shelter from the wind. She wished she was in Florida, but was glad she wasn't in New York City. All she really needed, she told me, was a taxi to take her and her belongings to KARM for that meal. She had their number and I called her a taxi. She said she had the money, but I gave her the couple of crumpled dollars in my pocket.

I know we aren't supposed to give money to panhandlers, but she never asked for anything but a ride. I also know that I had a nice Christmas, probably spending more money on gifts than she gets in months of social security checks. I have a home, hot food when I want it and I'm safe when I lie down at night. She's probably cold tonight and she's never certain that she's safe.

I know the problem of homelessness is complex far beyond my understanding. Still, it is hard for me to reconcile that the wealthiest nation in history which claims to follow a religion based on helping the least among us can't do a better job than what we are doing to help these fellow citizens. I'm not sure we really care as a society.

Twenty Pounds of Headlines Stapled to His Chest: Amplifier on the streets

David sells the Amplifier at the corner of Wall and Gay

There's a new, monthly newspaper on the street as of this month. It is the project of Redeeming Hope Ministries and is called "The Amplifier." Metropulse did probably the best write-up I've seen, but it has been mentioned on WBIR and The Sunsphere is Not a Wigshop. The idea is to give a small avenue toward gainful employment,by allowing homeless individuals the opportunity to purchase the papers for twenty-five cents and then sell them (technically it is a donation) for a dollar.

The idea has worked in other cities such as Nashville and Cincinatti, so there is a precedent. Ultimately, the idea is to have the content generated by homeless people, but Knoxville's version is starting of more modestly, with the content provided by members of the sponsoring church. Some of the topics covered include the election of Bill Haslam to the governorship, the opening of Minvilla Manor, the Ten Year Plan, profiles of homeless persons and a mixed bag of poetry and other creative writing.

When I first read about the idea I had a concern for the safety of the salesmen and women. It seems it could target them on the street as someone who probably has a few dollars. When I talked to David, he said he hasn't had any trouble. He seemed genuninely grateful for the opportunity. I've also read a comment on another site that suggested the idea is simply a bandaid that legitimizes panhandling and is doomed to failure. I'll agree with the bandaid part, but I'll hope the rest is wrong.

It seems to me this can only help. It gives the people selling the papers a productive way to get money. The content has the potential to provide a different perspective. I also think it gives the rest of us an opportunity to have a non-threatening conversation with the people who are homeless on our streets. When I wrote the recent series of posts on panhandlers, one of the side-themes that emerged from my conversations with those who help the homeless is that only relationships can truely help them begin the journey to restoring some order to their lives. A dollar and a conversation doesn't seem like too much to ask for those of us who are so fortunate.

Tough Calls and Personal Decisions

I'm going to sign off on the current conversation regarding homelessness with this post. It's been more helpful to me than I expected. Just the act of examining the limited alternatives and the responses I got from the two ministers and from Volunteer Ministries and KARM have been particularly illuminating.

Today I heard from Angie Sledge at KARM.

Here are some of her remarks:

"Panhandling should not be encouraged. When you give to a panhandlers you are, in all likelihood, enabling bad behavior and providing money that will be used for inappropriate activity. One lovely young woman who graduated from KARM’s recovery program 3 years ago told me that she made upwards to $500 per day with her story of being a stranded teenager. Truth was, she was a drug addict who just didn’t look “street weary” yet. When people gave her money, they were actually making it harder for her to make the decision to get clean."


Ms. Sledge suggests simply saying "You need to go to KARM. They can help you.” If they say they were turned away they are not being honest, or they are a sex offender or exhibit violent behavior, since those are the only two categories of people who are screened.

She also took the time to respond to each of the choices in the poll:

1. “get a job” – "hard, if not impossible, when you don’t have employment skills; day laboring won’t keep a roof over your head; often they can’t pass a drug test"

2. “avoid eye contact/keep walking” – "that is what the homeless are used to – being ignored, being treated as inhuman; the key factor to someone getting off the street for good is relationship – being treated as a valuable human being – restoring human dignity. So look the person in the eye and say, “Go to KARM.” Then walk on."

3. “decide if they look like they really need the money” – "we can’t judge; looks are deceiving, and people from all walks of life can be manipulative and manipulated"

4. “offer to help in some other way” – "when you do this, you are putting yourself at risk; support the organizations that are experienced and skilled in working with this population; donate your time and money to the right organizations."

She also asked that I encourage my readers to come to KARM to see what they do. Consider yourself encouraged.

So, the information is all in (though I wish I'd heard back from the other ministers). What now? As for  the poll questions, I'd say the first option isn't something I would ever do. I don't know their story and besides, most of the people I meet in this situation aren't employable in their current condition.

I'll certainly admit to avoiding eye contact and walking on. I don't feel good about it, but on the other hand, downtown Knoxville is my neighborhood. I don't "come to town" once a month or even on the weekends. I walk these streets every day. Sometimes I want a walk just to be a walk, not a social service intervention. Sometimes I'm with family or friends and I just don't want to be forced into dealing with someone else. I understand that it is dehumanizing to avoid eye contact, but I also know that making eye contact and speaking to a person is often seen as an invitation to ask for money.

I do sometimes evaluate a situation and I'm going to try to stop that. I think the idea of doing something different to help might be an appropriate alternative if it is carefully defined help. For example, suggesting that they seek out one of the agencies we've talked about is helpful, though not necessarily what they are after.

I also have a hard time shaking the words of Jesus, "I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink." When the apostles said, "When did we do this?" Jesus said if you've done it for anyone, you done it for him. Regardless of your religion or lack of one, that is a high and honorable ethical principle. Still, in 2010, it doesn't necessarily mean that you do it directly.

I'm thankful for everything I have and I have far more materially than I ever expected. For me, that carries an obligation to help others. In the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, it is understood that a certain portion of one's wealth should be given to others. I think this is a good life guide, no matter your tradition.

John Wesley said, "Having first gained all you can, and secondly saved all you can, then give all you can." Giving a dollar or two to someone on the street isn't likely to help them and, I'm afraid, most of the time when we do that we are really attempting to assuage our own guilt, rather than realistically hoping to help. So, I believe most of us should give a significant amount of our income to help others and to make our world better. This may mean giving to your church, to Volunteer Ministries, to KARM or whatever organization you think will help - or giving to multiple organizations.

But that still leaves the basic question: What to do on the street, one on one?

I'm going to commit to not giving money to anyone. I'm also going to try more often to engage the persons who ask for my help because, while I can't imagine having a conversation with everyone who asks for anything, I do understand the dehumanizing impact of being treated as if they are invisible.

I also plan to attempt to put together three simple items that I can package and hand to them: A list of places to get help, with phone numbers and addresses, a granola bar (food) and a gift certificate for a cup of coffee (drink). For me this feels like a good compromise. I don't think I'm doing harm. I'm responding to a need. I'm directing them to a place they can get true help. I can fit it in my pocket and always be ready.

So will I follow through or drop the idea and go back to ignoring these people on the streets? I'll let you know. While my decision is a personal one, that still leaves you with a decision to make. Do you feel good about what you've been doing? Do you plan to try something different?

Give me an answer, give me a sign

I'm still waiting for responses from the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic Churches. Angie Sledge from KARM also insists that she will weigh in on the issue. I'm going short on this note today because I probably wrote too much for everyone, yesterday. I'll give everyone a chance to catch up and wait one more day on the other responses before giving a final word on what I've learned and how I plan to proceed as I interact with homeless persons in the future. After that we'll return to our usual mix of serious, weird and fun.

For your viewing and listening pleasure today, I'll give you this video on our topic. This is the Soweto Gospel Choir rehearsing "Homeless" written by Paul Simon. Give yourself six minutes and follow it to the end. It's amazing.

What they are Saying

I've begun hearing from some of the people I've contacted and it looks like a united front, so far, on the side of not giving money. Still, there are a few nuances I'll try to tease out as we consider (or at least I do :-)) what our response might be. There are four days left to respond to the poll and I hope you'll all do that. The answers are spreading out a bit, though most of us, so far, are in the mode of avoiding eye contact and moving on.

Daryll Rasnake, a Pastor at Church Street United Methodist, works daily with homeless persons. Church Street maintains an open door policy so, often, those entering are homeless. Whenever someone panhandles at the church he engages them and offers help. He feels that once money is given, an expectation follows and aggressive behavior often results at any subsequent denial. His advice is never to give money and he relates a story of a homeless person who died last winter after getting money on Cumberland that was used to get drunk and later, in his drunkenness, a candle was overturned and he died inside his tent. Clearly this was not the intention of the person who gave the money, but it happened all the same.

He continues . . .


"So what is the best alternative? I believe it is to engage in a relationship. . . This can be to simply have a conversation and try to talk about what the real need is. If the real need is food, first realize that food is pretty readily available in Knoxville. . . Offer to buy a meal and bring it back. . . Never offer a ride or go alone even with someone who looks harmless. If you're in a group, invite them to join you . . . never ever give money for prescriptions or medications. . .we often get requests for bus fare on KAT. . . KAT passes are sold at the transfer station for $0.50 on the dollar and thereby become currency. . . I will never say to someone I don't have cash because frankly that is a lie. . . I want to treat our homeless friends as human beings deserving of our best care and concern. It is the flippant response that is so often expected and given (avoidance or the quick handout) that creates a situation of devaluing their humanity."

Bill Shiell, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church said none of the above options work every time, because situations are each different. . . He says he never gives cash. He continues, "If there is time, I talk, assess, and treat them as I would anyone else who wants to stop and talk. If there is a request for food, I suggest places where they can find food that's available. We have about 6 free meals daily in downtown Knoxville that I'm aware of. If it's shelter, I suggest where they can find shelter. After that, it depends on the situation . . ."

Ginny Weatherstone, Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Ministries Center, says she discourages people from giving money, but suggests giving them information as to where they "might receive help."


She continues: ". . . many of Knoxville’s panhandlers are not homeless and it’s not accurate to assume that they are. . . there are adequate services in Knoxville to meet the immediate needs of the homeless. . . Three meals a day are served at KARM and you do not have to be enrolled in a program to get a meal there. . . other agencies serve meals, VMC being one of them, but they may require you to be involved with particular programming. . . They have options without resorting to panhandling.

"One of the scenarios you mentioned was about a woman who said that she was refused help with her medication because she had a home in Townview Towers. Specifically, she stated that VMC said they could not help because she has a home. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, VMC has a particular program, the Bush Family Refuge, that helps people who are marginally housed . . . Quite often I hear that someone told an individual that they were refused services, etc. and it is simply not true. One strategy is to offer to call the agency and inquire for them. When this offer is made, the story sometimes changes or the person goes away. . . It is widely known that we (verify stories); sometimes people will say that VMC refused to help and that is true; their story simply did not check out.
"Most agencies will welcome your inquiring on behalf of someone you might encounter. Do not hesitate to call them. And instead of giving to panhandlers, I suggest that you contribute to the agencies that serve the poor and homeless. Speaking for VMC, I would invite you to make an appointment for a tour and to learn more about how we work with people in need.

"The line I usually use is simply “I’m sorry, I don’t give to panhandlers. If you truly want help, I’ll be glad to tell you where you can go but I won’t give you any money.”

Finally, another comment was posted on the original story. In case you missed it, the person stated that they had talked to the same person I had who told the story about the prescription and hungry children at home. This commenter said that she (he) finds it hard to give money to people who rehearse a story and tell it over and over.

So, there you are. There is still time to participate in the poll or to comment below. I'm not going to stay on this topic forever, but I felt it was important enough to entertain for a few days. I'll wrap it up, soon,and give some final thoughts. I'm still waiting to hear from the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic churches, should they care to join the discussion.

What About Me?

"And I feel like a stranger
In the land where I was born
And I live like an outlaw.
And I'm always on the run... "

From "What About Me?" Quicksilver Messenger Service

I appreciate the opinions expressed so far, both in the comments and in the poll, on the question of what to do when asked for money or other help on the street. I'm a little surprised to find that avoiding eye contact and moving on is the preferred response of choice. I probably shouldn't be. I think that is what most people do most of the time. Honestly, I've done that more often than not.
 
So far, the comments to the original post recommend, in one form or another, not giving money to people who ask. Yvette, who has been a faithful reader from the beginning of this blog, says she does not give them money. She bases this decision on her friends who work with homeless populations and say it is not helpful to give them money. She does not carry cash, so she can honestly say she doesn't have money. In an interesting twist, she suggests carrying a list of resources, which could be handed to anyone who asks. I've never heard that before.
 
Another reader concurs with Yvette. He (or she) bases his response on five years of experience working with the homeless population. he suggests that giving money may be the least helpful thing to do, but says he, "I tell them I do not give money out but I always attempt to have a conversation- introduce myself. Ask them a little bit about them self. Often I offer to grab a bite to eat WITH them so that I can both practically help them (food) but more importantly, relationally help them. . .  My two cents is to get to know these people. We share the same space, live on the same streets, and all need community."

I've also e-mailed Church Street United Methodist Church, First Baptist, St. John's Episcopal, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Knoxville Area Rescue Mission and Volunteer Ministries to get their opinions. From the churches I'm particularly curious. If I understand Jesus' words - and I may not - I think he pretty directly said to feed the hungry and treat everyone as a neighbor. So, how does that shape the church's response, if at all?

So far, I've heard from one of the churches - Church Street United Methodist. In fairness to the others, I'll say that the person who responded at Church Street, Darryll Rasnake, one of the ministers, knows me, so that might make him more responsive. I'll say more about his response in a subsequent post. I've also heard from a couple of folks at the KARM and, though I haven't gotten a direct answer to my question to them, Angie Sledge said she will get with me, soon, and Bruce Anderson offered a training program available at KARM for area churches. He also recommended the video below. They are a religious organization, so understand that before you watch. More later.

"Once upon a time . . .

You threw the bums a dime, didn't you?"

-Bob Dylan "Like a Rolling Stone"-

Homeless man going through garbage, Wall and Gay, Knoxville

One reality that anyone living in an urban setting must face is the issue of homelessness. While many people weigh in on our local discussion of housing first for the homeless, versus I'm not sure what, those of us who live downtown have a much more personal and less theoretical interaction with the topic. Knoxville certainly seems to have its share of homeless individuals, though I've seen far more in other cities, such as New Orleans. Sometimes I wonder if our homeless population seems larger because of the relative smallness of our downtown area.

I tend to evaluate the homeless people I meet, which may just be a more comfortable word for "judge." I have a mental health background, so I can usually determine who might be mentally ill. Then there are those who seem likely or obviously addicted. Some are old, feeble mentally and/or physically and clearly incompetent to alter their situation on their own. I tend to react differently depending on that determination.

There are also a couple of different groups I've seen come through town in the last year who are young, apparently able-bodied and very aggressive in asking for money, food or cigarettes. They are the most intimidating and the group I feel least inclined to help. They often stay in a group and sometimes block sidewalks forcing people to deal with them.

So what to do?

Reactions to homeless people run a gamut from pretending not to see them or aggressively confronting them, to attempting to help in some way. I'll confess I've been guilty of pretending not to see them - avoiding eye contact because I think I'm about to be panhandled. Of course, some homeless people don't panhandle and some panhandlers aren't homeless, but there is  a large overlap.

Here are some situations I've faced in the last few months:

When passing a small group of young, very dirty, seemingly able-bodied  men I was asked for money. "Help a brother out," or something similar was said. I kept walking and shook my head. As I walked away one of them called out, "That's right. Rich people don't care nothing about the rest of us." The same person saw me later and said something similar.

"Frank" approached me one night on Gay street and asked if I would help a veteran. I kept walking. The next night he approached me on Union Avenue and pitched the same thing, this time displaying a card that, I suppose, was to support the truth to his claim. My companion engaged him in conversation, so he followed us on the sidewalk. I finally gave him a dollar and he kept following us and asked for another. I said no and he laughed and said I couldn't blame him for trying.

A woman, around thirty years old, missing teeth, overweight and poorly dressed stopped my group on Market Square on a Saturday night. She said she had been waiting for someone at St. Johns who was supposed to help her, but that after four hours they said they could not do so. She said she had two hungry children at home (subsidized in Townview Terrace) and she was badly in need of money for her epilepsy medication. She said FISH (local food organization) couldn't help her until Wednesday and that Volunteer Ministries and the KARM wouldn't help her because she had a home. Even if a church could help her later, it wouldn't do her any good right now. She said the police only offered to take her children into protective custody. She pointed out that the missing teeth were from her abusive husband who is now in jail. For twenty dollars she could buy food and fill her prescription.

I've been asked for cigarettes, lights, money, money for coffee and money for gasoline. I heard one woman ask a group of men for money so she could "get drunk and get laid." They gave it to her because, they said, of her honesty.

So what would you have done in each of these situations? What is truly helpful? I'd like to hear your stories of encounters and how you handled them. E-mail me or comment on this post. This will be the subject of this month's poll and I'll also attempt to get answers from some of the downtown people who certainly should have an opinion.