Homeless Family (people)

[tweekerville]

How many homeless people living in an RV are in good enough shape to be a personal trainer? That should have been the giveaway. They more likely are drunk or stoned.

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by GB1

Come on, City-data folk. You're being scammed.

A family of seven and a dog leaving behind a 5BD house that they own, driving from Florida to Oregon in an RV on the "promise" of a job for the husband?

A family that moves five children in the middle of the school year rather than wait for Dad to get set up in a new city with a job and a house?

A family that owns a 5BD house in a respectable community, but doesn't have family or friends who can forward them a loan so they can get home?

A family where the dad's gonna get work rilly rilly soon, just as soon as he gets that darn old personal trainer recertification?

A family that's never posted here ever before except to tell their tale of woe? (The pregnancy and the abused dog from the kill shelter are nice touches, though a bit much.)

Given the fact that they say they're from Florida, the time of year, and the RV, I'd guess these people are Travelers, who descend on the Northwest in May-July. Portland seems to have a reputation for being both generous and gullible.

Don't know where this is going, but I'd guess it would start with monetary donations and end with them wanting to sell their beautiful new RV in order to get the money to leave town ("More than anything, we just want to go back home"). Once they found a sucker who would swallow this nonsense, the scam would be on in earnest, and God knows where it would go from there.

The posters who are suggesting churches and Lions Clubs are very sweet and their attitudes commendable, but that's what scam artists depend on. If nothing about this story sets off any alarm bells with you, you're not paying attention.

Anyone who wants to be foolish enough to help them should arrange to meet them at a police station. Whatever you do, don't let them anywhere near your house.

Bravo, I began to wonder half way through the post. The alarms started to go off.

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

Hello, Muse..

Sorry for your situation. As we all should know, it wouldn't take much for any of us to be in your position.

Deegers told you about Good Shepherd Community Church. And if you are still around SE 122nd Avenue, it is really not that far for you to go. There is a bus route that goes out that way. I have been to that church, and they are indeed helpful and wonderful people.

Since you have some sort of connection to Milwaukie, try contacting Clackamas County Social Services, call (503) 655-8641. They run some homes for those in need.

Thank you for not dumping your dog. There is a judge in one of our counties, who arranges foster care for the pets of people who have been sentenced to jail. I will try to contact the appropriate person tomorrow (6/25), and get some kind of information for you.

Good luck to your family.

I'm impressed. Way to go judge!

[juliempdx]

This is the most hilarious stuff I have ever read! I agree with most of you that it is a scam or someone just trying to get a few laughs. Last time I checked being a personal trainer isn't a very lucrative job unless you have a zillion clients and I'm quite sure Bally's doesn't transfer their trainers. Thanks for the laughs.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by juliempdx

Last time I checked being a personal trainer isn't a very lucrative job unless you have a zillion clients and I'm quite sure Bally's doesn't transfer their trainers.

So much word. I've worked in gyms and the trainers barely make more than minimum wage unless they're freakishly popular and in a very large city. And there's no way a popular trainer would up and leave his or her established customers to travel cross country just to have to rebuild their clientele when they get where they're going.

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by GB1

There's also a guy downtown who's been working the same spiel for years: his truck was stolen, and he needs $25 for taxi fare back to Welches. He's been written about in the Oregonian more than once, and he still manages to tug at enough heartstrings to make the scam worthwhile.

My god, I met that guy once. It was around midnight one night on 10th and E. Burnside, where I used to work. I didn't have any money to give him, but I was considering offering to give him a ride home. I wonder how he would have reacted, given that that wasn't what he actually wanted.....

[GB1]

What did you do, Dignan?

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by GB1

What did you do, Dignan?

I had a newspaper route as my second job. Back then, the Wall Street Journal used to have their drop on NE 10th.

[LaRrie]

There are actually shelters in the Portland area that can accommodate families...Dads included. Although the family pet might be an issue...perhaps you might check with local churches in the area to see if any of the members would be willing to do some doggie care for a period of time...otherwise you might consider the immediate needs of your children and prioritize them in order of importance. Getting rid of the family pet may very well be a difficult process for your children to endure, but is homelessness and all of its ramifications less damaging? I would consider that perhaps things such as food, shelter, health care, education, and safety may be far more crucial to my children than having, or letting go of, a family pet....even if the pet were seemingly "part of the family."

Here are a few numbers to call for shelter for your family...although some of these are located in Clackamas County and in Washington county (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard), they are all on Max lines (the public transportation train), or bus lines.
503-640-3263 Community Action Family Shelter
503-443-6084 Good Neighbor Center
503-844-2919 Interfaith Hospitality Network
503-492-3046 My Father's House
503-256-2340 Metro East Portland Interfaith Hospitality
503-655-8861 Clackamas County Social Services
503-654-1007 Annie Ross House
503-228-4335 Friendly House

Keep in mind that most of these places do not have waiting lists, so it is crucial that you call them at least once a day if not twice, even if they tell you different.....I know because I work at a shelter.

You might also try to access additional services, such as work search information, rental assistance/move in fee, daycare information, etc... from the following agencies:

503-823-4930 TPI (move in fees/rental assistance,hygiene kits, clothing, showers, laundry vouchers, funding for ID and birth cert.)
503-772-2300 SE Works (job search info, and other financial assitance following enrollment in the program)
503-731-3111 DHS (food stamps, medical, childcare)
503-988-6000 Portland Impact (Transitional Housing programs)
503-481-0453 Bridges to Housing (housing---office located at 4620 SE 122nd Ave--contact person is Marlina)
211 General information, resource and referral line for Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas County as well as Clark County, WA.

Hope this information helps....be sure to ask each agency you speak with about additional resource information pertaining to your individual needs.
Best of luck to you and your family.
~LaRrie

[findingmesomeday]

For a minute there, I felt like I was watching an episode of The Riches.