So this Deaf/Mute fellow came into my office

[LindsayDunn228]

Or maybe he was looking for enough money for a bottle of Thunderbird. Maybe he really couldn't read lips. Maybe he could hear.

Please read by post above you. Thanks.

 

[RickinNYC]

I work for a non-profit agency in NYC that provides a full range of service to homeless adults and those at risk of becoming so. I'm sitting in a homeless shelter in Harlem as I type this. I absolutely 100% NEVER give anyone a dime, whether they have a child with them or not, whether they're about to pass out due to hunger. I care, but refuse to give them anything. In fact, I won't go into a store to buy them food. I won't give them my coat if it's cold. I refuse to buy them a cup of coffee.

Much like most major metropolitan areas of the country, NYC has a TON of services for folks ,it's entirely up to them to accept those services and help themselves. I know that 75% of the homeless population, at least in NYC, have either a mental illness, a chemical addiction problem, usually both, and it's easy to think they don't have their wits about them enough to accept assistance. I do not buy that at all.

I work with those folks Monday through Friday and quite a few weekends. There are services and there are constant attempts to offer said services. It's up to the individual to help themselves. Our belief is that to give them change, or a sandwich, a coat, or a pair of shoes, enables them and encourages them to continue living on the streets.

Don't do it any longer. It's tough, it sounds cold and heartless, but you're not helping them at all by doing that.

 

[darlak]

Please don't ever give these people money. I'm the mother of a 29 year old beautiful daughter who happens to be deaf. She is now a SAHM of 3, but did work before having her children. The deaf community is offended by these people. If they see someone signing, they will usually not approach them since they are aware of their status within the deaf community. Most of the deaf adults I know are hard-working people who are proud of their ability to take care of themselves and their family.

Years ago, when my DD was a small child, I had a conversation with one of these people. I asked him why he didn't get a job. He just shook his head and signed that he couldn't work because he was deaf. I wanted to cry. Throughout my DD's childhood, whenever I was discouraged, my worst nightmare was an image of her on a street corner handing out those little cards and begging for money.

I know many deaf adults as well as many hearing parents of deaf children. I feel confident in speaking for all of us when I ask again, please don't give money to these panhandlers.

 

[freckles and boo]

I work for a non-profit agency in NYC that provides a full range of service to homeless adults and those at risk of becoming so. I'm sitting in a homeless shelter in Harlem as I type this. I absolutely 100% NEVER give anyone a dime, whether they have a child with them or not, whether they're about to pass out due to hunger. I care, but refuse to give them anything. In fact, I won't go into a store to buy them food. I won't give them my coat if it's cold. I refuse to buy them a cup of coffee.

Much like most major metropolitan areas of the country, NYC has a TON of services for folks ,it's entirely up to them to accept those services and help themselves. I know that 75% of the homeless population, at least in NYC, have either a mental illness, a chemical addiction problem, usually both, and it's easy to think they don't have their wits about them enough to accept assistance. I do not buy that at all.

I work with those folks Monday through Friday and quite a few weekends. There are services and there are constant attempts to offer said services. It's up to the individual to help themselves. Our belief is that to give them change, or a sandwich, a coat, or a pair of shoes, enables them and encourages them to continue living on the streets.

Don't do it any longer. It's tough, it sounds cold and heartless, but you're not helping them at all by doing that.

I completely agree with you but it is so hard to watch a little kid suffer so an adult can gain sympathy and cash from it!

 

[TheGoofster]

I work for a non-profit agency in NYC that provides a full range of service to homeless adults and those at risk of becoming so. I'm sitting in a homeless shelter in Harlem as I type this. I absolutely 100% NEVER give anyone a dime, whether they have a child with them or not, whether they're about to pass out due to hunger. I care, but refuse to give them anything. In fact, I won't go into a store to buy them food. I won't give them my coat if it's cold. I refuse to buy them a cup of coffee.

Much like most major metropolitan areas of the country, NYC has a TON of services for folks ,it's entirely up to them to accept those services and help themselves. I know that 75% of the homeless population, at least in NYC, have either a mental illness, a chemical addiction problem, usually both, and it's easy to think they don't have their wits about them enough to accept assistance. I do not buy that at all.

I work with those folks Monday through Friday and quite a few weekends. There are services and there are constant attempts to offer said services. It's up to the individual to help themselves. Our belief is that to give them change, or a sandwich, a coat, or a pair of shoes, enables them and encourages them to continue living on the streets.

Don't do it any longer. It's tough, it sounds cold and heartless, but you're not helping them at all by doing that.

Hey Rick, even though I pretty much agree with you 100% about the adults, I don't necessarily agree with you about the children. I think that most of the kids who are out begging for money don't want to be there. What kid wouldn't rather be at home playing with his friends. I think most of these kids are being forced to do something that they just don't want to do, but don't have any choice in the matter. I don't think that giving them money is the answer. I'm sure that any money they get goes right into the pockets of some unworthy adult. But, I do think it is a good thing to buy the kids something to eat, and then sit there to make sure that they actually do get the chance to eat it. Maybe it's because I have a couple of kids of my own, but the thought of one of my kids having to go begging for money just breaks my heart. If I can do anything that might make the life of one of these kids even just a bit easier, then I feel obligated to do it. Are there some phonies out there (talking about kids), sure, no doubt. But I think that most of the kids involved are victims, who would rather be doing pretty much anything else in the world then helping to support a useless adult.

 

[Talking Hands]

I completely agree with you Rick.
FrecklesandBoo, it would be better to call DCF on the person and have the child removed from the situation. The adult will continue taking the child out because they know it makes people feel pity and give money.
Darlak it is so true that the Deaf community do not like these deaf beggars. It is the opposite of the attitude of most deaf who feel they are quite able to earn their own living and care for themselves. Glad your daughter is doing so well.

 

[manning]

I worked downtown and lived on the northwest side of the city. On a regular basis I would run into a man with a white cane, sunglasses and tin cup. And on a regular basis the cruel cops would sweep down on him and take him away.

I was shopping in my neighborhood one sat. and who walks by me? The blind man without his cane, sunglasses and tin cup.

 

[Serena]

It's happened here in Indy several times, especially around christmas. It's the same one too.

 

[freckles and boo]

I completely agree with you Rick.
FrecklesandBoo, it would be better to call DCF on the person and have the child removed from the situation. The adult will continue taking the child out because they know it makes people feel pity and give money.
Darlak it is so true that the Deaf community do not like these deaf beggars. It is the opposite of the attitude of most deaf who feel they are quite able to earn their own living and care for themselves. Glad your daughter is doing so well.

I have reported folks for endangering their kids (see my first post). In the moment, though, my undeniable instinct is to make the child warm and safe, even if it is just for the little bit of time I am standing there. I know, rationally, that it doesn't make a difference. While I am jaded with regard to the adults, the kids break my heart. The adults absolutely know that and use it to their advantage.

 

[Talking Hands]

An amputee in my neighborhood begs on the street almost daily. DH and I went to eat lunch at our favorite restaurant and who was there with his family and paying the bill. You are right. The amputee!

 

[RickinNYC]

Hey Rick, even though I pretty much agree with you 100% about the adults, I don't necessarily agree with you about the children. I think that most of the kids who are out begging for money don't want to be there. What kid wouldn't rather be at home playing with his friends. I think most of these kids are being forced to do something that they just don't want to do, but don't have any choice in the matter. I don't think that giving them money is the answer. I'm sure that any money they get goes right into the pockets of some unworthy adult. But, I do think it is a good thing to buy the kids something to eat, and then sit there to make sure that they actually do get the chance to eat it. Maybe it's because I have a couple of kids of my own, but the thought of one of my kids having to go begging for money just breaks my heart. If I can do anything that might make the life of one of these kids even just a bit easier, then I feel obligated to do it. Are there some phonies out there (talking about kids), sure, no doubt. But I think that most of the kids involved are victims, who would rather be doing pretty much anything else in the world then helping to support a useless adult.

Actually I concede to your point. Well taken. But I still do feel strongly that I won't give any money or food to anyone on the street. Our organization does have a homeless assistance helpline. If you see someone on the street that needs help due to homeless, all you need do is pick up the phone and call us. We then take all the info, you remain anonymous and we go and talk that person and ask if they'd like to come with us to our drop in center.

Many other cities do have such a system. Everyone should look into it.

 

[TheGoofster]

Actually I concede to your point. Well taken. But I still do feel strongly that I won't give any money or food to anyone on the street. Our organization does have a homeless assistance helpline. If you see someone on the street that needs help due to homeless, all you need do is pick up the phone and call us. We then take all the info, you remain anonymous and we go and talk that person and ask if they'd like to come with us to our drop in center.

Many other cities do have such a system. Everyone should look into it.

Sounds like a great Org. Unfortunately too many of us get so caught up in our own little worlds that we really can't see what's happening around us. It is too much of a "bother" to call an org. to help out a poor child, when it is so much easier to either totally ignore the whole thing, or just throw some loose change to ease the concience. I think you guys are doing a great service for so many kids who need a helping hand.