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Name: Sexee

Comment: It’s ironic that you are writing about the homeless. I currently work in the financial district and I’ve noticed an influx of homeless people (of all nationalities) begging on the streets. One homeless black man begs on bended knee (and I want to drop kick him for doing so; I don’t feel that you should degrade yourself for pennies). I must admit I rarely give money, I often don’t have change (debit card diva, bad bad habit). At one time I was homeless, I lived in a shelter, I loss my job and I didn’t fit the normal description of a homeless person. The system also didn’t know how to deal with a person with a stable work history, not on drugs, no record and an education. I got all kinds of weird looks. Many pseudo-Christians and pretend to be workers did not have a fundamental understanding how to help someone like me a middle class woman that loss her home (at no fault of her own). A lot of the staff that run the shelters are former residents them selves and many lack home training & common sense to %*$es situations, compounded with their laziness and un motivated attitudes adds fuel to the flame. Many people are in shelters and homeless because they have a need, but so many want to place burdens on the homeless and meetings that does not add-value to the situation; expecting people to find jobs without providing bus fare/car fare (lying stating they don’t have it in the budget but do)…. My friend was upset because I chose to stay at the shelter versus staying with her (I sent my son to live with her), I told her that there’s something that I wanted to get out of it (that following week I moved in with her it was too stressful).

Name: SweetieDarlin

Comment: Sexee, thank you for your testimony, too many people believe that everything that happens to people is all their fault as if they somehow decided between good things to happen and bad things to happen and chose bad. As far as giving money sometimes I will, sometimes I won't it may sound strange but if I feel it in my heart I'll give something or offer to buy some food. In Chicago there are the same homeless people Downtown daily, it's almost part of the scenary---we usually speak to each other, and many tell me they just even appreciate the fact that I offer a smile and a hello instead of ignoring them altogether (could be a line but if it's not it's amazing how something so little can matter to a person and I don't mean that in a negative manner) or being rude when they ask for money. I just think how many programs were cut to help people but we are spending soooo much for the war effort, and people are saying this folks are just lazy, well how lazy are you to stand on a corner for 12 + hours a day with folks cussing you out, even if you are begging for money---the person isn't lazy just misdirected or in need of counselling, meds or whatever brings them to the point of begging the the streets. Yeah for some it's hustle but dang it isn't a realy easy hustle. AND after all that, good column as usual always look for to Tuesday, the part about doling out advice is something at some point we all need to heed.

Name: Sexee

Comment: Thanks, I was debating whether or not to put it out there. Exposing yourself to individuals is never easy (especially these posters). You have people that will try to exploit your weaknesses (or perceived weakness). When I tell you what I experienced (good or bad), I remove the power from my antagonist (we all have them, ready to pounce on you like a roaring lion when your thoughts does not equal to theirs). The homeless and shelters are a huge problem every where. Especially the staff that oversees the facilities; they have no clue! This facility was run by black individuals; they were messy in their behavior and business. They had all the answers and knew none of the questions. It was a frustrating and percolating situation, depressing all around. How do you expect someone to become whole with no clear example? Or the people that you look to make you whole are judging you and belittling? I saw pursuit of happiness for the first time on Sunday, I could relate to his situation and I respect his grind, he did whatever it took to make a better life. Not only that he gives back in return. I work downtown near the Chicago Board of Trade (LaSalle Street/Wacker is considered the Financial District).

Name: SweetieDarlin

Comment: Sexee, I'm at Jackson and State, so we are/were right down the street from Pacific Garden Mission. The things you speak of seem to be an ongoing issue in all forms of social service. I have a girlfriend who is a recovering addict, but that status does not define her, she is extremely intelligent and although she has had a 'bad history', she's trying not to let her past define her future yet her complaint is the same as your experience, people talking down or azzuming they know you. I told her not to let that get in the way of her progress, of course it's easier said than done but she's working on it. Peace and Blessings to you Sexee!

Name: DarrylJames

Comment: Sexee, honestly, what you were doing by wanting to forge ahead in the shelter was exposing yourself to enlightenment. Those of us with light realize that it comes from understanding through experience, tempered with wisdom that was already on deck. This is juxtaposed to the evil moronic selfish simpletons who simply judge others from the comfort of their fragile little lives—a paycheck away from being homeless, yet claiming to know all about the people who have slipped and fallen. Really, only in America is the snobbishness this bad. Even in third world nations, there is more empathy for those who have fallen. And Sweetie, for many homeless or otherwise fallen, that isn’t a line. They are already in dire straits and then too many azzheads treat them like they are less than human. Being treated well is something that Americans seem to fail to understand unless they are the ones seeking the well treatment. Most of the azzheads who talk about how the homeless are a bunch of lazy drug addicts have never done any cursory research, or they would discover that there a huge number of mentally ill citizens who did not /could not get proper care, veterans and families whose breadwinner lost a paycheck. Most of the lazy shi theads are working every day, figuring out how to scam the system by cheating and stealing, talking on the phone at work instead of working, taking loans and then declaring bankruptcy, etc. And, at the risk of being jumped on by morons, dare I mention that many of the people who have ZERO compassion take their evil azzes to church every Sunday asking God for a blessing for their selfish desires?

Name: SweetieDarlin

Comment: Darryl, the sad thing is what you saying is very true in a lot of instances (I'm ever the optimist.) It amazing how many don't correlate 'Christian' values with compassion. So many of people who feel a certain smugness when they see people in the street is more than likely fear because whether they want to admit it, it can definately be them, they rather think that there is always a choice. In some cases, the choice is really a rock and a hard place until you can do better and hopefully you have the ability and capacity to do better. Again, thank you for reminding us with your articles, what does and does not need to be done.

Name: Sexee

Comment: Sweetie ~ I often walk to State Street to go shopping @ Bakers & Akira (they get a visit a minimum of 3x a week). I think the Pacific was closed last month. Jones Commercial High School needed the space to add on to the school. ? Darryl ~ I got to tell you I cried like a baby the first night. As time went by I felt sympathy, disbelief and finally anger at the system. I wrote out a blue print on a future homeless shelter that I desire and will put into place in the near future.

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