Homeless Woman Dies in Portland (Adrian: low income, apartments, house)

[Supernova7]

I just read an article about a homeless woman who died in Portland. She was a kind soul who sat at the same bench in downtown Portland for the past several years. Some people cared enough to stop by, offer some money, share their time and take an interest in her life, while others arrogantly passed on by. Apparently the woman was elderly and had no family, so she considered the strangers that passed her to be like a second family. It's really sad to see homeless people living like animals on the streets but I guess it's better than the alternative. I've had the pleasure to meet many homless people along my travels and I understand why so many of them can't stand shelters. They say that when they check in to a shelter, it's like checking in to a prison. You are confined in a big room, much like a warehouse, with a hundred plus people and given a matt to sleep on the floor. The meals consist of generic goods in small portions. But that's not the worst part, they say that services are limited and the services that are provided are staffed by incompetent and self absorbed people with controlling attitudes. So it makes sense why so many people choose to preserve their dignity rather than chekcing themselves in to a warehouse prisonlike atmosphere.

I really hope that Portland addresses the affordable housing issue and that the people become more proactive so that this tragedy doesn't happen again.

[oldtintype]

This isn't a problem specific to Portland, this kind of thing happens in every major city in the world.

[gnab gib]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

I really hope that Portland addresses the affordable housing issue and that the people become more proactive so that this tragedy doesn't happen again.

I don't think homelessness has as much to do with affordable housing as with mental illness and/or substance abuse.

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by YoAdrian

I don't think homelessness has as much to do with affordable housing as with mental illness and/or substance abuse.

Homelessness is caused by many different reasons but affordable housing is a key issue and often people who are low income cannot keep pace with the inflation, thus losing their homes/apartments, get thrown to the streets and it's only time before drugs and mental illness take place. I feel so sorry for this woman in Portland. Where was the community to help? I guess no one cared enough.

[zerp]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

while others arrogantly passed on by.

No bias there of course. It's not my fault she's homeless. There's nothing arrogant about not giving away the money that I've earned. I'm taxed enough as it is.

[zerp]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

I feel so sorry for this woman in Portland. Where was the community to help? I guess no one cared enough.

Why didn't you take her into your house before this woman died? Obviously you didn't care enough.

[Summertime]

The fault lies within ourselves, Brutus.

(is that an accurate Shakespearean quote? It's been
many years since I studied his works).

But the point is that "no man is an island
.. every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main"
(John Donne) and paraphrased

A human being needs to have either been born with
compassion, or ... if fortunate enough, have acquired
this quality along the path of his/her life.

Though an individual may not be 'personally' responsible
for the fate of another, it is a Truth, that we are all a part
of the human creation.

It would be prudent to remember that 'what goes
around, comes around.'

I have seen this happen many, many times.

What we do with our gift of life, comes back to us,
eventually.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

I just read an article about a homeless woman who died in Portland. She was a kind soul who sat at the same bench in downtown Portland for the past several years. Some people cared enough to stop by, offer some money, share their time and take an interest in her life, while others arrogantly passed on by. Apparently the woman was elderly and had no family, so she considered the strangers that passed her to be like a second family. It's really sad to see homeless people living like animals on the streets but I guess it's better than the alternative. I've had the pleasure to meet many homless people along my travels and I understand why so many of them can't stand shelters. They say that when they check in to a shelter, it's like checking in to a prison. You are confined in a big room, much like a warehouse, with a hundred plus people and given a matt to sleep on the floor. The meals consist of generic goods in small portions. But that's not the worst part, they say that services are limited and the services that are provided are staffed by incompetent and self absorbed people with controlling attitudes. So it makes sense why so many people choose to preserve their dignity rather than chekcing themselves in to a warehouse prisonlike atmosphere.

I really hope that Portland addresses the affordable housing issue and that the people become more proactive so that this tragedy doesn't happen again.

So what you're saying is that the homeless are actually complaining about shelters out there that's helping them? Helping from the cold eliments, harm, hunger, etc. I have an idea,,,be appreciative that there are these resources out there for them! Unbelievable!!

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

So what you're saying is that the homeless are actually complaining about shelters out there that's helping them? Helping from the cold eliments, harm, hunger, etc. I have an idea,,,be appreciative that there are these resources out there for them! Unbelievable!!

I honestly don't feel that shelters help them or anyone. It's more of a warehouse to dump people and offer the "basics of survival." Is it better than nothing? well sure, I guess it's something. I just feel that we're in the 21st century here and happen to be the welathiest most industrialized nation on earth. I feel that we can offer people more than some old bread and soup, a cot and coat. If we didn't have a selfish calitalist system then some people wouldn't be living in mansions while others stand in line for bread. I don't feel it has anything to do with appreciation, just my opinion.

We can always put "apprciation" to the TEST. Let's see those with money and anyone who looks down/judges those that are less fortunate live a month like the homeless? I bet most wouldn't survive. I've talked with many homeless people and you should hear their stories. It's not so much the materialism that matters but more the fact that people look at them as "scum and filthy animals" regardless if anyone says that or not, this is the attitude we have in America, and yes it's a problem. The city failed this woman just like many cities fail the homeless. Who's accountable, ALL OF US

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by Summertime

The fault lies within ourselves, Brutus.

(is that an accurate Shakespearean quote? It's been
many years since I studied his works).

But the point is that "no man is an island
.. every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main"
(John Donne) and paraphrased

A human being needs to have either been born with
compassion, or ... if fortunate enough, have acquired
this quality along the path of his/her life.

Though an individual may not be 'personally' responsible
for the fate of another, it is a Truth, that we are all a part
of the human creation.

It would be prudent to remember that 'what goes
around, comes around.'

I have seen this happen many, many times.

What we do with our gift of life, comes back to us,
eventually.

Yes, Karma is real. How we treat others will come back to us ten fold. Beautiful literary works and so honest.