Critique of my efforts from the homeless shelter

Congratulations on being innovative. And that's why he's homeless and always will be. A perfect illustration of the argument for "a hand up" vs "a handout". He should have been doing what you were doing. I hope you don't mind me posting this to some other sites I belong to.

It may increase your competition but showing those that want to learn how to scrap could help those that want to be helped. Could be like a job training program to get them started. Also could be a good source for you to get some help breaking down scrap.

Originally Posted by ginofrater

Before we pass judgement to any person and in special the homeless, i think we should use a little caution , every person is different and can be suffering all kinds of health Issues, mental problem is one of them .

Before post a derogatory opinion ,all the factors must be evaluated.

We live in a democracy were all the differences has to be treated with tolerance respect and compassion.

I say this with the utmost respect. We do NOT live in a democracy and I don't believe that everyone has to be treated the same way. There are so many people in this world that I have met, that I will never have respect, or have tolerance for. Compassion, maybe.

With that aside, yes Gino, there are so many with problems that we can not comprehend. The trauma and stress from war among them. Most of us can't begin to understand what that is like. Not to mention neurological or biological disorders that do not show on the surface.

Originally Posted by parrothead

I say this with the utmost respect. We do NOT live in a democracy and I don't believe that everyone has to be treated the same way. There are so many people in this world that I have met, that I will never have respect, or have tolerance for. Compassion, maybe.

With that aside, yes Gino, there are so many with problems that we can not comprehend. The trauma and stress from war among them. Most of us can't begin to understand what that is like. Not to mention neurological or biological disorders that do not show on the surface.

Sorry to hear that coming from you, but we never know if one have any neurological or biological disorders that do not show on the surface ,as you mention, then i just say sorry to read your post.

We have to be tolerant ,respectful and compassionate.

Sorry Again.

I'm actually sorry to read this thread to begin with. Nothing like bashing real people and wanting to pass the bashing to other forums. Seriously? Who are we to judge?

I think the OP could have left out the comment and snarky use of the emoticon to make fun of a homeless person who made a comment to him. Wow, I expected better from here

Wow. Lighten up you pansies.

I posted this in "A day in the life of a scrapper" because it was a story about a day in my life as a scrapper. I actually volunteer in this homeless shelter, and have for 11 years now, so I'm pretty familiar with the the multitude of reasons for the ongoing saga of homelessness, and what social and volunteer services are available for assistance. I have been out of a "real" job for more than 2 years and am working to become sufficient in my new line of work. As a scrapper.

I was gonna tell you about the great bin of scrap I got, but thought this was a more interesting story that might give someone a little determination.

Been homeless for a short period of time and thanks to scrap metal (and getting sober) I have done OK for myself..........Many people hooked on drugs and alcohol need long term treatment they cannot get....I myself know for a fact it took nearly two years of treatment for me to be ready to enter society sober and be able to stay that way

Homeless or not many people look at what we do and make the same statement!
"That's a lot of work. Hardly seems worth it".

And just the other day I gave a homeless guy a bike as I had a few of them and he needed one. Hardly seemed worth it for me it give this guy a bike I could make money on, some would say. But somethings are worth more than money! Just like you working at the shelter!

I bet my family, coworkers (at primary job), and any quote unquote "normal person" would say the exact same thing this homeless man did.

What was said has nothing to do with him being homeless, mental ill or otherwise.

I have a dad who looks at his nice 8-9pm job as security instead of the life leech that it is.

OP you know what you are upset about? Resistance of going against the accepted norm.
Now the man was homeless and maybe he should open his mind
before being a 'critic', but what he said is not just limited to him.

This whole society is messed up, this whole country has it's priorities all wrong.

You think he is the only one that is homeless that will expect something to be given to him?
Think about the future WHEN (not IF) the economy collapses.

How many more will be homeless just like him? How many more will act like him?

I am compassionate with him as being homeless is like an emotional pain that eats at you from the inside out.

But I do know one thing... you do not have to be rich to be a CRITIC.

Be compassionate to the ignorant as you were once ignorant. Be glad you are blessed to now know what you do.


“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
― Socrates

[QUOTE=Bear;172634]It's great the homeless have a shelter to go to, where they can get away from the often undeserved attitudes they meet on the streets, and observe the ethics of fine upstanding citizens who volunteer to pitch in so selflessly of their time, temper, expertise, and positive attitudes


I hope to finish this conversation since I respect many of your opinions and advice given freely on the forum.

My volunteering activities at the homeless shelter are separate from the scrapping activities. Been volunteering there on a monthly+ for 11 years, starting with serving meals to eventually being elected to chair of the board of directors overseeing operations (on a VOLUNTEER basis). I have been scrapping since I lost my job two years ago, but have had a break in my own activity recently, having had 2 heart surgeries this summer while tending to my wife's needs, who just finished a 1 year treatment regimen for cancer.

This specific scrapping opportunity just arose within the past few weeks because the Pastor wanted to establish a mutually beneficial arrangement, in the little cash flow to be had from the scrap. I did not propose the business proposition to him because that would be entering into a bit of an ethical grey area for me. This opportunity was proposed to me because he said the mission wanted to give something back to me for what I have done for them.

Generally, people who scrap are familiar with the tougher side of life, so I was a bit surprised at the lecturing to be more sensitive. Men end up at homeless shelters for a variety of reasons, but none are gods for whom we must tremble when we whisper their name, and most are not even angels. Actually, they are just like you and me.

Yeah, you can say I have an attitude when being told to be more sensitive. I'm VOLUNTEERING my time to help connect them with assistance programs (housing, medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, etc) while maintaining a clean and safe shelter and hot meals. At the same time I am WORKING along side of these guys, getting my hands cut and dirty while scrapping. I know them by name, and I'll tell them to their face when they need to get off their butt.

So lecture me from your theoretical sensitive side if you must. But get off your own butt and show me how sensitive you are by your actions rather than your words.