Do You Want To Talk Or Do Something?

[recyc...@gmail.com]

I tried to convince local homeless advocates over a year ago to take
direct action but they said, "Wait, we think the city will do
something soon, let's not make anyone mad."

It's a year later and even more are on the street than last year.

I've lived in Greensboro for 50 years and can tell you this city isn't
going to help unless they're forced to do so.

If there were no homeless then homeless advocates and government
officials in charge of helping the homeless would be out of their
jobs. Think about it.

I have a home and a job so I don't have to do this. I can't lead you
or tell you what to do but I can point you in another direction. I
know the answer but "city leaders" don't want you to know it. I've
tried to tell our local leaders but they refuse to listen because my
ideas conflict with their own personal financial interests.

There is a way to force the city to solve the problem for those of you
who are serious about getting off the street. It's been done in
several cities across America and it works.

I'm not talking about demonstrations, media events, awareness or
creating another non-profit agency that spends money that could be
better used to help all of you who are homeless-- I'm talking about
getting you off the street legally.

It won't be easy and you can bet they'll try to stop you but you can
do it.

But I'm only going to talk about it privately because if it goes
public too soon all of you are screwed again.

[Michele]

"I've lived in Greensboro for 50 years and can tell you this city
isn't going to help unless they're forced to do so."

Demonstrably false. The City of Greensboro spends hundreds of
thousands of dollars on homeless programs every year. And, among
other things, the City is helping to establish a homeless day center.
Your statement is a slap in the face to the mayor and City Council
members who regularly support homeless advocates and homeless
providers with both grass-roots efforts and traditional programs to
help homeless people in this town. It's a slap in the face to the
City staff who work to assist in countless ways. You don't know what
you're talking about and you're spewing false, politicized rhetoric.
That's not helping in any way, unless your goal is just to stir up
dissent and cause trouble.

"If there were no homeless then homeless advocates and government
officials in charge of helping the homeless would be out of their
jobs. Think about it."

Rubbish! None of the homeless advocates I know are employed in
homeless services, so we wouldn't lose a job if there was no more
homelessness. If all the homeless people got housing, there would
still be other issues to deal for some of them, like mental illness
and substance abuse, which also affect people who haven't been
homeless, and I would turn my attention toward advocating in those
areas. As for those who are employed in homeless services, I have
heard many publicly state that they'd love to be put out of business
by the ending of homelessness, and I can tell you that those I know
(and that's a lot of them!) would be thrilled and praising God if they
lost their jobs because there were no more homeless people. That kind
of statement that you made is so false and so damaging, Billy. You
have no idea. You don't know how often we sit around and pray and
dream about the day where we don't have anyone under a bridge or in a
tent in the woods -- unless they're there because they choose to be
and know they have options to come inside if they want to. I get so
angry when I hear people make statements about homeless service
providers wanting to keep people homeless to protect their jobs.
That's a horrible thing to say about someone. Horrible! It isn't
true, and it proves that you don't know anything about the people who
are serving the homeless in this community.

"There is a way to force the city to solve the problem for those of
you who are serious about getting off the street. It's been done in

several cities across America and it works... It won't be easy and you

can bet they'll try to stop you but you can do it. But I'm only going
to talk about it privately because if it goes public too soon all of
you are screwed again."

If you've got something to say, then say it. If it's been done all
across the country, then it's not top secret. If you have something
constructive to add to this group, then I suggest you stop talking
smack about people and start sharing your ideas. This is NOT the way
to help homeless people, Billy. You're just starting a fire that
somebody else will have to put out.

[Michele Forrest]

Billy, I need to apologize for snapping at you.  I sure could have handled my response better.  Backstory: I've been spending a lot of time lately defending people who I've felt were being attacked unjustly and I guess your comments were the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.  Not an excuse at all, just an explanation.  It doesn't help for me to attack back, though, does it?  I am sorry.  I'm gonna dial the grrr level down a bit.  I know you, and I know your heart to help people.  I'm just ready for people to stop assuming the worst in the people on the other side of the fence.  Collaboration works.  Let's do it.  Again, I'm sorry for my tone.  I hope you'll forgive me.  Love, M

[recyc...@gmail.com]

CM,
You're allowed to get angry, I get angry too.

You know my plan and it's true that if the City of Greensboro were to
find out what my plan is they will do everything they can do to derail
it before we get started. Why? Because my plan will get in the
personal pockets of people who have other ideas for the city owned
resourses my plan requires.

Call me office 698 4616 or at home, I would love to have you on board.

By the way, I've still got the hots for you but I know you won't go
there so all is well.

-Billy

[Paul Gydos]

Billy

 

You know that I encourage you in your efforts.  I know you know CM well, but others might not know that.  So I hope that you would refrain from sexuallizing anyone, especially anyone we know personally on the public board.  I'm sure you will understand.  I don't want to have to start moderating the discussions online. 

Thanks

PG

[regin...@aol.com]

Paul I would appreciate you not sending anymore emails.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Regina Miller

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The Average US Credit Score is 692. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps!

[Michele Forrest]

Regina, at the bottom of your email, there should be a link that says,
"To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
homeless-and-friends-uni...@googlegroups.com."
Click on that link and it will unsubscribe you and you will not
receive further emails from the group.