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Old 04-10-2014, 12:08 PM
 
Location: Detroit
3,671 posts, read 5,883,465 times
Reputation: 2692

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I agree with Retroit, I used to make $8 an hour off of holding signs for 6-8 hours a day, and that was only on weekends. The Westnadge exit always has homeless people there holding up signs. But it's really not that far of a walk from Portage to downtown Kalamazoo (2 hours MAX) where the Gospel Mission is where they could get much more help. And if I remember correctly, every single bus (including the Westnadge bus) goes to the transportation center right across the street from it. As far as your safety goes I think their pretty harmless, keep your doors locked and be ready to hit the gas and you will be fine.
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Old 04-10-2014, 12:27 PM
 
Location: west mich
5,739 posts, read 6,931,116 times
Reputation: 2130
Quote:
Originally Posted by tuebor View Post
I think the fact that they're doing it in a group is suspicious. I agree with those who suggest giving to local aid organizations instead. There are several; here's a link to a list of them:

Homeless shelters in Kalamazoo
I suspect it is just a new device for panhandling. Funny that nobody thought of it before. They certainly are not accomplishing anything for their own future by standing there all day.
I think it probably is just for pocket money - I mean, it doesn't take much to afford a meal at McDonalds or buy some booze.
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Old 04-10-2014, 12:47 PM
 
Location: SE Michigan
6,191 posts, read 18,153,320 times
Reputation: 10355
I was just talking about this very thing yesterday with a friend of mine who owns a drywall company.

He said that over the many years, he has offered scores of able-bodied people holding signs at street corners here in Genesee county the chance to work for a day for $10 an hour, and has never once been taken up on the offer.

I agree that it's probably safe to hand a dollar to these folks, (and I used to do it) but not improving their lives in the long run. Whereas donating money or time to shelters and such goes a lot further.

Back when I lived in Colorado there was a particular homeless (and he really was homeless) person who had a sign that said "Why Lie, I Need Beer." I thought that was refreshing and I'd give him a dollar once in a while.
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Old 04-10-2014, 08:36 PM
 
28 posts, read 78,419 times
Reputation: 12
That's exactly what I'll do, I'll donate and continue to ignore these people. But still, it amazes me that they are allowed to try to fraud folks. It's really annoying. Glad I had the sense to utilize this resource and ask for some advice. I truly appreciate the insight and all the social services info and links. You're awesome!
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Old 04-11-2014, 11:32 AM
 
Location: west mich
5,739 posts, read 6,931,116 times
Reputation: 2130
Last evening I was approached by a guy with a long convoluted story which he seemed to have well planned out, sort of like a telemarketer. I listened attentively for something that made sense and the tale got so twisty I declined. He was still trolling the parking lot when I left. In exchange for a donation, he offered to kiss my shoes (who wouldn't desire that spectacle?) and I was wondering about his sincerity there.
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Old 01-11-2015, 07:38 AM
 
1 posts, read 492 times
Reputation: 10
Personally, I lost my job, Went into a Rehabilitation program to get back on the right track, I have to say that I never thought it could happen to me, 54 and homeless trying to find clean safe shelter to look for work seems to be almost impossible to find help. All I have to work with is a laptop and Internet when possible. and currently stuck in Kalamazoo. Only to find the Gospel Mission director most unkind. In single digit weather was told to come back another day. Even the Rehab facility I was succesfully released from was shocked.

Last edited by Chemical Sky; 01-11-2015 at 07:47 AM.. Reason: missing words.
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Old 01-11-2015, 09:09 AM
 
447 posts, read 495,629 times
Reputation: 478
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chemical Sky View Post
Personally, I lost my job, Went into a Rehabilitation program to get back on the right track, I have to say that I never thought it could happen to me, 54 and homeless trying to find clean safe shelter to look for work seems to be almost impossible to find help. All I have to work with is a laptop and Internet when possible. and currently stuck in Kalamazoo. Only to find the Gospel Mission director most unkind. In single digit weather was told to come back another day. Even the Rehab facility I was succesfully released from was shocked.
How was the director unkind?
Did he not let you into the building? The news have been running stories on shelters through the Midwest being over crowded and even being forced to turn people away with this recent cold snap.
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