Should a program be set up where the homeless contribute to a city's progress?

Question

Could the homeless contribute to the city's progress by helping in cleaning streets, retelling the city's history from their viewpoint, mentoring or teaching skills? Would they be able to receive the same help by being able to receive park lectures along with food and shelter? And what about being able to assist with coping with depression and anxiety?

Answer 1

Most homeless people suffer from mental health issues and/or addiction. A significant number of them are former military veterans. BEfore they can take on work, either paid or volunteer, they need help bringing stability to their life and medical attention to their issues.

Certainly, giving homeless people -- or anyone -- something meaningful to do in terms of activities, is helpful. But when you are working with an at-risk population, there needs to be a great deal of supervision to ensure everyone's safety.

Answer 2

Yes that is a great things. Many label homeless as lazy or useless.  That would be a great program to assert there independence. I also think it would be a good idea to help homeless find jobs.

Answer 3

Why would we have them do that? What are they getting in return? Nothing. These people are receiving no assistance from the city, so why should they give anything back? I don't think it'll work and we can't expect something from them when we're leaving them outside in the rain and snow.

That said, why not get the people on welfare/social assistance to help out? They're getting "free" money and not required to work for it. A few years ago, my province said that all people receiving social assistance had to put in 2 hours of volunteer hours each week. TWO! They flipped out and said that they shouldn't be required to work for that money. Seriously. So the program was dropped.

Now that's something I don't get.

Answer 4

Most 'homeless' people do not want help...otherwise they would reach out to one of the many programs available to them.....however, most of these programs require things like sobreity, job skills and placement, etc. While yours is a nice thought, I just don't think that the homeless would be willing or accepted as tour guides or street sweepers. People who are down on their luck, sure, but the homeless, probably not.

Answer 5

I work with the homeless. It seems many people believe the media spin that the homeless are lazy, mental or addicts. You get those at all levels. I live in a college town which tends to try to hide or run out the less fortunate. The current shelters house around 1/20th of the actual homeless. Maybe 10% choose the life. Some manage to benefit from help, some do not. Regardless, that leaves a few thousand (at least- in our town) vulnerable to the elements, harrassment and discrimination.The courts tend to use offenders to do the 'dirty work'. But I agree there are things they could do to contribute, and I know many would want to.