I think what the brilliantly blunt CLE means to say is "walk the talk" rather than wringing your hands over the intractable problem. If I think something should be done to help the homeless, then I should do something rather than impose my beliefs onto others. When "I" is legislated to mean "we", individual charity becomes public tyranny.

Coveted:
I've actually lived here for almost 5 years, not 3. You are correct, I had no idea what programs are available for them. This is knowledge that I've slowly been gaining since I've lived here.

I wasn't criticizing PADS. As a matter of fact, you have done that numerous times in the last few days. I was simply stating that it is a reactive solution rather than proactive. Still a solution, regardless.

I wasn't aware that I was on trial to give specific examples of what I have done to help the homeless people that I know and no one actually asked, so no I didn't offer anything at that point in time. If you are interested to know, I have helped quite a few people (on an individual level) to better themselves via assistance getting help from government programs and assistance obtaining jobs to support themselves....as well as assistance getting help from various AA and NA programs that are available.

Yes, I have no problem distinguishing between the two. Being as there is no proactive solution in place locally, there is no way to help on a wider geographic plane. That whole "start in your own backyard" concept works wonder when transitioning from a localized to a nationalized concept.

So, let me get this straight....Russ sounds more sincere simply because he's not specifically addressing anyone in particular with the situation? Because from what I'm reading from you, that's certainly what it sounds like. And by "we", I mean all of us, myself included.

And thank you for assuming that I've done nothing to help the community in the last 3 years. Prior to forming assumptions about an individual, next time try inquiring first. Again, I have spent time on the other side of that coin....much of it, thank you.

Jack:
Thank you for clarifying. I do what I can to help the homeless, given the current status of available programs at the moment. I'm not trying to impose my beliefs onto others, I'm simply trying to prove the point that sitting around and complaining about a situation does nothing to find a result. This entire thing initially began because of the dehumanizing of the homeless in our community. I am working personally on multiple potential solutions, but with the mentality of the citizens that I've seen displayed on here I highly doubt that any of them would be successful.

quote:

When "I" is legislated to mean "we", individual charity becomes public tyranny.

Or a civilized society.

I get the point about the tyranny of the masses and all, but really, there are things the "we" must do to be a civilized society.

Eeeeeech, I warned you GESM about mentioning the dreaded P word.

And CLE, you mentioned that you moved to GE to get away from the homeless but that you're not running away from the problem. Perhaps not, but that's the attitude that built the monstrous Chicago housing projects. Plus are you saying GE should be zero tolerance towards homeless? Is there some level of acceptable homeless population? Maybe just the homegrown homeless? Or you just don't want to see any homeless?

I know, Bio. Lol, thanks for the warning. I honestly don't even remember if I was the one to initially mention it

Hi,
Biostitute those are all good questions. To answer them:
1. No.
2. Yes.
3. Not exctly sure what you meant by "homegrown" but I'll guess that's a No.
4. No. Don't mind seeing homeless people. But I mind very much seeing homeless people or anyone pissing on my neighbors lawn, bathing in the kids drinking fountain, laid out on the grass drunk, wandering in the middle of the street in traffic looking like they are high, or asking me and my kids for money every time I come out of the store. Those things bother me a bit. Can't deny it. Go figure, when I moved out here I assumed I'd see a wee bit less of that than in the city. Perhaps I was mistaken. Or "idealistic." Who knows.

As for assisting those who are in need, I favor Bridge Communities approach. So I do support them. I feel they do a better job than PADS, Just my opinion.

To CLE's point, and for those of you who do not already know, Bridge Communities is an excellent organization that wonderfully serves a special, small segment of the homeless population in our community. They are a great example of attacking this issue with approaches from many directions. They make a real difference in people's lives. They are another homegrown solution for which Glen Ellyn can be very proud.

And before the wordsmiths jump on CLE for answering that there is an acceptable level of homeless population... the question was worded kind of like "Did you beat your wife THIS week?" I do not assume that CLE meant that at some point we should no longer care about the homeless because some amount of homeless people are just fine.

There's no denying the problem. I think Bridge Communities and PADS (which has other assistance programs besides the church shelters) are only a small part of the solution. Somebody needs to pick up where they leave off. Since the State closed most of the mental health hospitals all we seem to be able to do in Illinois is arrest them for vagrancy, crank them through the local jail, and turn them loose. And if you talk to local law enforcement, their none to happy about it. Note I'm speaking of those who will never be able to function without assistance.

Well Russ, maybe CLE just didn't word it right but if you go back and read what CLE said it's pretty clear CLE moved out of the city to avoid the homeless problem and that anytime CLE see's a homeless person in GE, CLE smiles and calls the cops to report them as vagrants. Thus my line of questioning. CLE's recent response would seem to contradict this though.

And I didn't mean that CLE would find a level acceptable and do nothing, I'm just acknowledging that every community rich or poor has homeless individuals and to think GE otherwise by trying to arrest them or get them out doesn't seem like much of a solution.

Hi,
Not what I said, Bio. Check your facts. Here's what I said: The next time I see a homeless person doing any of these things in downtown Glen Ellyn, I will give them a smile and say hello. Then, I will walk away and dial the local police department and ask that they enforce our vagrancy ordinance immediately.

For the last time, it's not about the PEOPLE, it's about the BEHAVIOR.

Didn't run away from the homeless. Don't think they are sub-human. DO know that we have had some issues with some PADS guests, and other homeless people here in town. Glad we have the ordinance. And, once again, don't favor PADS' approach. That's about it. Oh, I don't enjoy being lectured by hypocrits, but that doesn't refer to you.

Gotta go carve a pumpkin with the kiddies. Have a happy halloween!

Coveted:
Have we not also had problems with people who are not PADS guests? Or people who are not even homeless? I fail to see what either of these things has to do with your complaint then.

And if the hypocrite reference was intended toward me, I do believe that I've clearly "proven" that I'm not a hypocrite according to your logic behind why I am. If I haven't answered any questions that you posed in regard to such, please enlighten me and I would be happy to do so.

If it was not toward me, I apologize.

For the record: I hadn't intended to "lecture" anyone. If anyone feels that I've been lecturing rather than engaging in discussion, it's quite possibly due to his or her own guilt more than anything I've said.

I can assure you I am not being facetious but you expect people with chronic illness (including alcoholism) to behave how?

Bio --
I know what you meant and I think CLE did too regarding an acceptable level of homelessness. I've seen others pick on answers based on awkward wording. "Yes. There is an acceptable level of homelessness..." could be picked apart.

On another note --
Everyone on this board agrees that there is a homeless problem. There is real disagreement about the nature of the problem and what can and should be done.

I'm a small-picture, short-term thinker. I don't do well with long-term plans. I do better with next quarter plans and right now actions. (e.g. A cot and a hot this Sunday for 65 people. Transitional housing for a family for the next three years.) The world needs people like me but we will not solve the really complex problems of our society. I am overwhelmed by the issue of homelessness in Glen Ellyn. People coming here and hanging around until shelters open. The need for a system that keeps churches closed until 7:00 PM and the cruelty of people standing in the cold all afternoon waiting for 7:00 PM. Neighbors angry because some people abuse their property and do bad things. Others angry because they don't want to even see dirty homeless people anywhere in their town. Mentally ill people not having services. HIPA making it impossible for loved ones to help... The list goes on and on.

I know there are big-picture, smart people in our community. Real big-picture, real smart solution people. Maybe someone reading this is one of them. I sure wish one or more of them would step up and lead us toward some solution. Start a task force (short-term thinking again). Use this board to recruit (again). You lead, and a lot of us will follow.

One thing this argument on this board shows is that lots of people are passionate about the issue. Is there a real leader among us?

Russ, I agree with you completely.

Well said. At this point in time, due to other obligations and lack of current resources, I would be better able to serve as a 2nd-in-command than the one who spearheads it.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ:
...Is there a real leader among us?

...Try the "BBQ Cookoff" Thread...