End Homelessness

Locally, there is a program at a hospital alternative care clinic every weekday morning. In the lobby, there is a spread of organic breakfast foods and people can get free acupuncture treatments. Or just sit in a pleasant, quiet room and meditate.

While this isn't identified as, or reserved for, "the homeless" there are some number of that status that take advantage of these restorative benefits.

Personally, I've come to feel very wary of ANYthing that appears to be "investments" in what, essentially, perpetuate homelessness -- at least in terms of routing resources away from actually housing people to merely providing "services" to them while they remain homeless. Especially when there are people making their living (and paying for their housing) in that manner.

I do fully appreciate what a boon so many different such "services" and windfalls can be, despite a continuing homeless predicament, as I appreciate people that care enough to help out like that.

Yet, by now, I've seen too much resource instead seem to be questionably metered or applied, as I've seen too many cases that seem unfortunately mispurposed. Even blatant examples of exploitation or outright corruption.

There's a very real danger of actually "investing" in culturing an "underclass" of people that are accepted, and thereby relegated, to that condition - albeit somewhat more comfortably or conveniently, but in comparatively slight or even trivial ways.

When people become homeless due to natural disasters or the like, they quickly receive rather full-fledged aid and support, usually far beyond what "the homeless" otherwise do. And it often includes housing, even if rather impressive resources and efforts are marshalled for temporary structures, trailers, etc. These are "emergencies", right?

Why isn't it every bit as much an "emergency" if an economic "disaster" leaves someone homeless?

I fervently hope that other people realize what a tragic risk we run when diverting ANY resources that might be practically applied to get people off the streets (that are becoming increasingly illegal to be on in that condition) only to, instead, marginally finance their contined demise. I understand the dilemma. Only too well, by now.

sports are good for bothe body and soul

Amen! Sports are incredibly powerful and cost-effective development tools. Through the Office on Sport for Development and Peace, the United Nations are using sports to reach the eight Millennium Development Goals: ending poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability and global partnership. Sports level the playing field and bridge differences; give children and adults hope, focus and goals; and build physically healthy (and happier?) communities. They are a powerful and simple way to achieve positive social change in so many ways. If only we all would/could get out and play every day.