NO ROOM AT THE INN

» plox - welcome!

Welcome to suite, Bea. Your topic is one that needs to have more public awareness. You may have read some of the threads in the Forum? It would be good if you posted a link there to your topic. The links you have on this site would be of interest to many who want to help but don't know where to start.

-- posted by plox

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» penpusher - Great topic

Bea,
This is a very important topic, I must say. It doesn't only build public awareness. Above all, it invites us to return to our humanity. Thanks for your good work.

-- posted by penpusher

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» MaryCoxBilz - Many people I know just do not understand

Wow! Loved your article, Bea. I lived in Baltimore for years, then moved here -- on the coastline of rural MD, with fishing, crabbing, and ... homeless people. They need a voice. Thank you.

-- posted by MaryCoxBilz

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» R_Putnam - Homelessnesss

Bea,
I simply loved your article on homelessness. It truly embraced my heart and stirred it to do so much more than I'm doing. Thank you for this insightful article.

Richelle Putnam

-- posted by R_Putnam

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» nalani - No Room At The Inn

"Lest we entertain Angels unawares"~ We recently took in a former brother-in-law of my husbands, and gave him a room that was available for rent. Here in Hawaii we have homeless too. Michael, likes to say, "I'm not homeless, I'm houseless". We are working with him to overcome feelings of dependency. He gets a check for $300 a month, and will buy unecessary items, like a recent purchase of a cellular phone. He does have a business going where he collects rare hawaiian shells and strings neclaces, bracelets, and anklets that are normally sold for hundreds of dollars. He is able to sustain himself with this income, but will tend to buy marijuana (which is abundant here in Hawaii), gamble or buy items impulsively. He is eating us out of house and home, and we are trying to help him budget and cook his own meals in the kitchen reserved for renters. It's not easy to take in a homeless person. He is used to lying to get food, a ride, or for no reason. He also has some scizophrenia, and thinks he is Jesus, risen from the dead. Most of the time, he is his old self, but when money is scarce he is depressed and will revert into his scizophrenia. It's sad, but we are praying and helping him get back into a responsible lifestyle, rather than a dependent one.

One point: He is very picky about the food he eats. He won't eat leftovers, and must have his food cooked a certain way. Also, he will put down my cooking or our way of life. He was very much like this before his homelessness. It's just surprising that he still retains the same ideals.

-- posted by nalani

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» Beawriter - No Room At The Inn

God bless you for taking in your brother-in-law. I suggest you research mental health resources for him. He probably needs a counselor. He also needs to be drug free. You should set down the rules for his use of your home so he doesn't abuse the priviledge. If he was at a homeless shelter he would have to eat what ever was provided. He is lucky to have a place like yours to live in.

The problem is many mental patients have been pushed out of hospitals or group homes because of funding cut-backs. They wind up on the street, or as in your case, sponging off relatives. They really need professional help.

I hope things work out for you and your family.

-- posted by Beawriter

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» carp119 - No Room At The Inn

I found your article enlightening. It made me realize that with all the volunteer work people do for other causes (breast cancer, children's cancer, heart disease) that there isn't much being done for homelessness. And I believe it could happen to any of us. Keep fighting for 'em!

Chris Lorenzen

-- posted by carp119

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