Reply #17: I have had some [View All]

experience with working with families who did not quite fit HH's program. However, in both cases, I was able to get some of the guys who are involved with HH locally to help out, outside of HH, on their own time.

No program can possibly meet every need. HH is no different. It meets the needs of a fairly specific group, and that is a good thing for that group. HH doesn't have all the volunteers or resources it needs. People do well in supporting HH.

However, I can say that there are significant segments of the population who are homeless, and who do not get assistance from some of the higher profile programs, such as HH. These people are found in both rural and urban settings. They may be any age, although there are growing concentrations of teens & early 20s, as well as over 50. They may be employed, underemployed, or unemployed; they may be caught in a cycle of those three.

Because some may have substance abuse, mental health, or legal issues, the media has created a myth that most/all do. It's just not the case. It is, in fact, far more likely that they will have a need for dental care than any other type, at least initially. Lack of dental care will lead to other health issues. The "simple" things that many of us take for granted take on a different significance for the homeless.

We are at a point in this country where the homeless population must be viewed as human beings with dignity who are the victims of the 2nd generation of reaganomics. Much like with the flood, the federal government is not going to resolve the problems -- they probably couldn't, even if they wanted to. But while we work to change the government, we also need to be invested in meeting the human needs on the community basis. There are plenty of programs, including but not limited to HH, that help meet people's needs.

I'm concerned about the emergency needs. It's cold as heck here in the northeast, and there are hungry people. That's my concern, for what it's worth.