Actually, I'm far more concerned with how charitable organizations spend their money than I am any random individual on the street. I would be much more upset to learn an organization had exploited vulnerable populations in order to take advantage of the kindness of its donors so that a few at the top could get rich than I would to know the homeless guy didn't spend the $5 I gave him in the most responsible way.
I'm not blind to the realities of homelessness. I interacted with the homeless on a daily basis when I worked in DC and my DH spent many years working for one of the largest homeless outreach programs in the city that provided medical, dental, housing, and job training. I understand there's a disproportionate number of homeless people suffering from addiction and/or mental illness as compared to the general population. But just because that's true doesn't mean that every homeless person is just trying to get their next fix and I'm not going to refuse a small handout based on what someone might do with it. Would I purposely give someone money to buy meth on the spot? No, because that drug scares me and I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for supplying something that might kill someone. Weed? Eh, not my thing but it's halfway legal at this point and would it really bother me that much? Alcohol? I don't know, is the guy a raging alcoholic or does he just want to indulge in a cocktail like anyone else? Cigarettes? Well, those used to be my vice and I have given them to homeless people before. Soda, fast food? Gee, shouldn't he find something more nutritious to spend my money on? I'm a vegan -- If I give him money will he spend it on a ham sandwich? See, It just gets ridiculous to even go down this rabbit hole of analyzing what someone may or may not do with my spare change. I'm not going to waste the mental energy on it. I see giving to a stranger to be a small act of kindness on my part and not much more. I'm not in the habit of trying to predict who might spend the money how and whether those few dollars are used for something helpful or harmful, it's such a small amount it's unlikely to make much of an impact either way.
You're making the assumption that every homeless person is going to spend the money you give them on drugs; I'm not. That's the difference.I don't over analyze anything, alot of homeless people are addicts. You can contribute to that if you want, I won't. So if that means I give them a water bottle instead of $5 at least I know that if they end up dead in an alley somewhere someday it wasn't with my help.
Obviously you don't care about that as long as you aren't perceived as micromanaging their money. I'd rather help an addict than contribute to one.
You're making the assumption that every homeless person is going to spend the money you give them on drugs; I'm not. That's the difference.
NEVER EVER EVER. That's what decades of living in the San Francisco area will do to one.
But I have a subsidized apartment building literally in my backyard. I have made many friends there and do a lot to help alleviate their food insecurity. Nobody has unlimited resources (well except maybe Bill Gates). I prefer to use what limited funds I have to help those who really need it.
Actually, I'm far more concerned with how charitable organizations spend their money than I am any random individual on the street. I would be much more upset to learn an organization had exploited vulnerable populations in order to take advantage of the kindness of its donors so that a few at the top could get rich than I would to know the homeless guy didn't spend the $5 I gave him in the most responsible way.
I'm not blind to the realities of homelessness. I interacted with the homeless on a daily basis when I worked in DC and my DH spent many years working for one of the largest homeless outreach programs in the city that provided medical, dental, housing, and job training. I understand there's a disproportionate number of homeless people suffering from addiction and/or mental illness as compared to the general population. But just because that's true doesn't mean that every homeless person is just trying to get their next fix and I'm not going to refuse a small handout based on what someone might do with it. Would I purposely give someone money to buy meth on the spot? No, because that drug scares me and I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for supplying something that might kill someone. Weed? Eh, not my thing but it's halfway legal at this point and would it really bother me that much? Alcohol? I don't know, is the guy a raging alcoholic or does he just want to indulge in a cocktail like anyone else? Cigarettes? Well, those used to be my vice and I have given them to homeless people before. Soda, fast food? Gee, shouldn't he find something more nutritious to spend my money on? I'm a vegan -- If I give him money will he spend it on a ham sandwich? See, It just gets ridiculous to even go down this rabbit hole of analyzing what someone may or may not do with my spare change. I'm not going to waste the mental energy on it. I see giving to a stranger to be a small act of kindness on my part and not much more. I'm not in the habit of trying to predict who might spend the money how and whether those few dollars are used for something helpful or harmful, it's such a small amount it's unlikely to make much of an impact either way.
I think it just boils down to optimism & being jaded. I agree with Much of what you said. However, I’m in the camp that I don’t give at all b/c they might (but IMO-probably) be scamming and/or buying drugs. But, that’s part of seeing things to confirm this opinion & being jaded.Actually, I'm far more concerned with how charitable organizations spend their money than I am any random individual on the street. I would be much more upset to learn an organization had exploited vulnerable populations in order to take advantage of the kindness of its donors so that a few at the top could get rich than I would to know the homeless guy didn't spend the $5 I gave him in the most responsible way.
I'm not blind to the realities of homelessness. I interacted with the homeless on a daily basis when I worked in DC and my DH spent many years working for one of the largest homeless outreach programs in the city that provided medical, dental, housing, and job training. I understand there's a disproportionate number of homeless people suffering from addiction and/or mental illness as compared to the general population. But just because that's true doesn't mean that every homeless person is just trying to get their next fix and I'm not going to refuse a small handout based on what someone might do with it. Would I purposely give someone money to buy meth on the spot? No, because that drug scares me and I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for supplying something that might kill someone. Weed? Eh, not my thing but it's halfway legal at this point and would it really bother me that much? Alcohol? I don't know, is the guy a raging alcoholic or does he just want to indulge in a cocktail like anyone else? Cigarettes? Well, those used to be my vice and I have given them to homeless people before. Soda, fast food? Gee, shouldn't he find something more nutritious to spend my money on? I'm a vegan -- If I give him money will he spend it on a ham sandwich? See, It just gets ridiculous to even go down this rabbit hole of analyzing what someone may or may not do with my spare change. I'm not going to waste the mental energy on it. I see giving to a stranger to be a small act of kindness on my part and not much more. I'm not in the habit of trying to predict who might spend the money how and whether those few dollars are used for something helpful or harmful, it's such a small amount it's unlikely to make much of an impact either way.
I purposely didn't bold the first part of that sentence because I don't want to make it sound like I'm on some noble mission to eradicate homelessness $5 at a time. Like I said earlier in the thread, it's been ages since I can remember even being approached for money and there have been plenty of times where I declined a request for whatever reasons. But there have also been times where I have given money and I've never worried about how it might be spent because, ultimately, the bolded is true. Adults are responsible for their own choices, even addicts. I don't know what percentage of homeless people are addicts but I know 100% of them need to eat, so there's still a decent chance "my" money isn't being spent on drugs no matter their sober status.I don't know if this will explain how the pp feels to anyone but I see it like my son showed me once. (And I may be totally off base here so correct me if I am wrong Tipsy).
We were at Walmart one day and DS went out to the car before me. He saw a homeless guy on a bicycle in the parking lot,pushing the bike and limping. The guy walked by DS and he had his pants leg rolled up and his leg was bleeding. DS spoke to him and the guy told him that a car had bumped him and made him fall off his bike. He didn't have any money to get bandages or anything to put on his leg. DS gave him some money and told him to go get what he needed. DS said later that the guy may have gone in and bought a 12 pack but he gave the money with the intention to help him, what the guy did with it is on him. I was impressed with his way of thinking and have thought a lot about that. It's my place to try and help what choice someone makes to do with that help is on them.
Seems like most of the drug addicts in our town spend their time shoplifting not panhandling
My cynicism comes from years of professional experience & first hand knowledge. It’s not just from watching the news or something. I understand the circumstances that often lead to the situations ppl find themselves in but am less optimistic about their ability or motivation to overcome these circumstances past a certain point in many cases. I still believe in programs that work for prevention & mitigation of circumstances that lead ppl down these paths. But, I am very pessimistic about it past a certain point. I don’t think it’s impossible, but I am absolutely cynical most of the time. I really wish I weren’t so jaded & I wasn’t always, but I have seen too much.Yep. Associated with my domestic violence/women's shelter work, we partner closely with AA/NA; I have occasion to be at one of their fellowship halls not infrequently. It's in the hood. I don't know if the people that ask me for handouts are waiting for or have just been to a meeting (we're not there when they're having another group meet despite them having many rooms), but I hope those guys get the help they are seeking. Could I be contributing to something bad? Sure. Could I be helping out someone that's truly trying to turn their lives around? Yep. I've seen it. I hate the cynicism I see and hear from who haven't struggled as much as so many of those overcoming addiction/trauma/abuse/poverty, etc. I'm not naive, but I refuse to be jaded and seeing people overcome terrible stuff I can't imagine all the time makes me a believer in the good of most people.
My cynicism comes from years of professional experience & first hand knowledge. It’s not just from watching the news or something. I understand the circumstances that often lead to the situations ppl find themselves in but am less optimistic about their ability or motivation to overcome these circumstances past a certain point in many cases. I still believe in programs that work for prevention & mitigation of circumstances that lead ppl down these paths. But, I am very pessimistic about it past a certain point. I don’t think it’s impossible, but I am absolutely cynical most of the time. I really wish I weren’t so jaded & I wasn’t always, but I have seen too much.
Actually, I'm far more concerned with how charitable organizations spend their money than I am any random individual on the street. I would be much more upset to learn an organization had exploited vulnerable populations in order to take advantage of the kindness of its donors so that a few at the top could get rich than I would to know the homeless guy didn't spend the $5 I gave him in the most responsible way.
I'm not blind to the realities of homelessness. I interacted with the homeless on a daily basis when I worked in DC and my DH spent many years working for one of the largest homeless outreach programs in the city that provided medical, dental, housing, and job training. I understand there's a disproportionate number of homeless people suffering from addiction and/or mental illness as compared to the general population. But just because that's true doesn't mean that every homeless person is just trying to get their next fix and I'm not going to refuse a small handout based on what someone might do with it. Would I purposely give someone money to buy meth on the spot? No, because that drug scares me and I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for supplying something that might kill someone. Weed? Eh, not my thing but it's halfway legal at this point and would it really bother me that much? Alcohol? I don't know, is the guy a raging alcoholic or does he just want to indulge in a cocktail like anyone else? Cigarettes? Well, those used to be my vice and I have given them to homeless people before. Soda, fast food? Gee, shouldn't he find something more nutritious to spend my money on? I'm a vegan -- If I give him money will he spend it on a ham sandwich? See, It just gets ridiculous to even go down this rabbit hole of analyzing what someone may or may not do with my spare change. I'm not going to waste the mental energy on it. I see giving to a stranger to be a small act of kindness on my part and not much more. I'm not in the habit of trying to predict who might spend the money how and whether those few dollars are used for something helpful or harmful, it's such a small amount it's unlikely to make much of an impact either way.