SsilverR said:
I did a test, since I didn't believe my friend about just how useless these organizations actually are.
No second night out are guys that'll basically leave you waiting at a spot all night before fully not ever showing up, Shelter seem to have shops all over the place that accept donations and sell goods but not one place to actually visit and ask for help, went to one of the main offices and not only did they not help, they couldn't point me to anywhere that could (lol) centre point... don't even get me started.
The funniest parts were when I sent each charity 2 different e-mails ... 1. asking for help as a homeless person, 2. asking to donate
I've not heard back from any of them as a homeless dude (been 5 days) but the "can I donate" e-mails were replied almost instantly ROTFL
Cherry on the icing was when we allowed ourselves to be stopped by 4 people from the red cross and even after explaining that we were homeless ... all 4 still pushed for our credit card information.
What are these things and where is everyones money going?
I don't think you understand how these things work.
First Red Cross is a medical disaster charity, not a homeless program. They show up to scenes of disaster and provide medical assistance to those who need it on scene. For example, when my apartment building burned down, they arrived within minutes after the firetrucks. They provided water, blankets, and oxygen on scene to any who needed it.
As for Homeless shelters, I actually have volunteered at a few. Before you cast a judgement on a homeless shelter, I propose you do the same. First, the biggest problem with Homeless shelters is they are extremely underfunded and they help on a first come first serve basis, on a "who is in the greatest need" and generally they help families with children first. Yes, they will actually make a single person leave to make room for a family with children. Basically it works like this, they take people until they reach firecode capacity. Once they reach firecode capacity they have to turn people away. The law forces them to do this. They usually try to give them other resources and information where they might go, but if they are already aware that all shelters are beyond capacity( which is usually the case) they can provide a blanket, and possible a box if they have blankets and boxes available and tell them to try and keep safe. That isn't because they don't care, that is because they do not have any more space or resources available. I would not expect a homeless shelter to respond to an email, because the truth is, if you have somewhere that has a roof over it and internet access, you are in a much better position trying to stay there than you are trying to come to a shelter. If you have internet access from anywhere, you are better off than 99% of the people coming into the shelter. If you have phone access, you are better off than 99% of the people coming into the shelter. The shelter is a last resort, and do not expect to get help from one unless you go in person. Even sleeping in that persons back yard is BETTER than a shelter. Shelters are not fun places to go, they also have to try to screen you to try and reduce crime at the shelters and protect the people there. That is if you can even find a homeless shelter. The lack of funding is why we also have tent cities popping up everywhere. The few that are actually able to keep their doors open have so many people trying to get in them, there is no possible way to help them all. Most shelters have a waiting list, even for families because they already are full of families, and have to force out families who have had a roof over their head longer than those who have been waiting in the streets.
Before casting judgement on these organizations, you should try to volunteer for them and see first hand where your money is going.
FYI- They probably still pushed for credit card info because they knew you were BS'ing them about being homeless. From actually examining actual homeless people vs those that have been well cared for it is not very hard to tell which is which. Living on the streets is extremely hard on ones health.
