Homeless people in Alaska? (Anchorage, Barrow: for rent, motels, lawyer)

[gobrien]

If your grandson has a verifiable mental illness that is getting in the way of him keeping a job etc, perhaps you should look into helping him apply for SSI, a need-based program that will help him get mental health treatment and housing. Sometimes the workplace is not the best place for those with a mental illness.

[ejweiss]

well i have gone homeless for over 6 months annd it was during winter i know some homeless people are lazy and also i know some try as hard as they can most of the time no one wants to go homeless it is just a matter of timing and some times it is a choice becauase there SSI or SSD is not enough i know when i went homeless i was getting SSD and i was making 889$ a month from social secuirty and i just had to go homeless cause the factorys in michigan closed down how dose this affect me you might ask well for people on SSD we can work and make a certian amount of money per month and still keep our check coming in i was working 3 hours a day monday threw friday and adveraging on my W2 about 13,000 per year aside from my off times i take for my mental illness where i have to go get into a hospital in case you are wondeirng im bipolar so i tend not to sleep if i go longer than 3 days i get off my but and go to the hospital and then check into a ward for abour 10 to 20 days and get some rest it is like a cheap vacation to me i have full medicare part A,B,and D and i have a savings and checkings account in michigan it is a bank account that i can keep even if i live out of state for about 50 years or more last i knew i had 20,110$ in it im saving for my home when i get 55 i plan on moving to hawii or even alaska for a home i know i am insane you might think but a monthly check can't always buy a home so i have to impervise i work and with that i leave you with this work is really really hard to find in michigan for some one with SSD so really think about people who have familiys and oboma and nancy poliski's health care more money being wasted for people not to go homeless i would rather have a home for a child then health care madortaly for a child

[blueflames50]

ummmm...spell check....$ sign behind the figure....kinda rings a bell?? it is illegal to live in another state and still collect in the other state.

[Vish01]

I am 30 years old with a wife and two children. I got out of the Army after 8 years and took a job in Fairbanks. Winter is approching and I've been told that I'm going to be be without a job. We had been saving to move out of alaska, but now I don't know if we can affrod to drive out. I know there are shelters around, but are they kid friendly? How long can you stay there? The job I have barely pays rent and for food. I took a major paycut leaving the army. My job promised to pay higher but after i was hired I was told it wasnt in the budget. I don't want my wife and kids to end up homeless. I'd rather send them to a shelter or something than to see that. I've been to Iraq, and that is not even close to how scared I am now. I have no idea how my family will survive. My daughter is 4 months old and I'm afraid if we become homeless, she wont make it.

[tigerfan3]

Originally Posted by Vish01

I am 30 years old with a wife and two children. I got out of the Army after 8 years and took a job in Fairbanks. Winter is approching and I've been told that I'm going to be be without a job. We had been saving to move out of alaska, but now I don't know if we can affrod to drive out. I know there are shelters around, but are they kid friendly? How long can you stay there? The job I have barely pays rent and for food. I took a major paycut leaving the army. My job promised to pay higher but after i was hired I was told it wasnt in the budget. I don't want my wife and kids to end up homeless. I'd rather send them to a shelter or something than to see that. I've been to Iraq, and that is not even close to how scared I am now. I have no idea how my family will survive. My daughter is 4 months old and I'm afraid if we become homeless, she wont make it.

Here's an idea: deliver pizza. I do it part time and make about $18-$25 an hour. It's not exciting but it sure beats the shelter.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Vish01

I am 30 years old with a wife and two children. I got out of the Army after 8 years and took a job in Fairbanks. Winter is approching and I've been told that I'm going to be be without a job. We had been saving to move out of alaska, but now I don't know if we can affrod to drive out. I know there are shelters around, but are they kid friendly? How long can you stay there? The job I have barely pays rent and for food. I took a major paycut leaving the army. My job promised to pay higher but after i was hired I was told it wasnt in the budget. I don't want my wife and kids to end up homeless. I'd rather send them to a shelter or something than to see that. I've been to Iraq, and that is not even close to how scared I am now. I have no idea how my family will survive. My daughter is 4 months old and I'm afraid if we become homeless, she wont make it.

Rejoining the military an option?

Look for a job, any job, if not...no relatives who could help?

If I were facing being "homeless" and with absolutely no chance of avoiding it, I'd get a good arctic sleeping bag, wall tent/stove, food/etc., some trapping supplies and get out of the city for a while, even make some money doing it (go after marten up there, cheap 110's work)...I'd rather be in a tent in the woods, than a bench in the city...winter is often the worst time to try for a job it seems to me.

[Teak]

Originally Posted by Vish01

I am 30 years old with a wife and two children. I got out of the Army after 8 years and took a job in Fairbanks. Winter is approching and I've been told that I'm going to be be without a job. We had been saving to move out of alaska, but now I don't know if we can affrod to drive out. I know there are shelters around, but are they kid friendly? How long can you stay there? The job I have barely pays rent and for food. I took a major paycut leaving the army. My job promised to pay higher but after i was hired I was told it wasnt in the budget. I don't want my wife and kids to end up homeless. I'd rather send them to a shelter or something than to see that. I've been to Iraq, and that is not even close to how scared I am now. I have no idea how my family will survive. My daughter is 4 months old and I'm afraid if we become homeless, she wont make it.

Here are three places in Fairbanks that you could go to for assistance:
Rescue Mission
Love, Inc.
Catholic Soup Kitchen

The Presbyterians might also run a soup kitchen downtown; you can check at the First Presbyterian building.

A relative of mine just left his job at the Ft. Wainwright Burger King for a higher-paying position. You could go there for work; $10.60 per hour, but it is a start. Burger King is run by the AAFES Corporation. That would be a place to look for a career. http://www.aafes.com/default_s.aspx

[tijlover]

Never underestimate the homeless. One of the most famous homeless people of all times was Adolph Hitler. He lived for years in Vienna, either on the streets where he almost died one winter, or in homeless shelters. And look what became of him! He painted postcards to allieviate his poverty.

In a recent article in the paper, two candidates for public office in AZ, both homeless, are aiming to end their homelessness with cushy government jobs.

Don't ever say it can't happen..........again.

[blongtree]

One item mention in the past was the homeless having access to the internet. They do so in several ways. 1. Public library. 2. already having a laptop with wifi and going to Panera Bread or currently some/most Mcdonalds.

CELL PHONES. Also if you are facing homeless or currently homeless, or just poor, Net10 is a very good cell phone option. Cheapest model in my area is $15 to buy the phone and at lest $20 to reload it with minutes.
**********Also there are free cell phone options available.

I was homeless and worked at a day labor place. I wonder if 2-3 homeless people pooled their money and got an apartment??

[SityData]

Originally Posted by igavebirth

I doubt any of you actually know a homeless person. I know a guy in his late twenties who sleeps in the woody areas of Anchorage. He hates the shelters because you have to check in early, and then stay there to keep your spot -because space is of course limited. I get the impression from him that its frigid cold in there, the blankets are thin, the cots suck, and people get robbed by the other numerous dudes in the room while they sleep. Its just a place they hate and resent. Most feel better in a tent in the woods, if they are lucky enough. He's told me that there are groups of homeless people who will collect old furniture together in secluded areas, and reside there. If so, one of them left their mattress on the stairs to the overpass. And his jack bottle. I was walking down the street and saw a homeless guy sleeping downtown on a closed shop's doorsteps. I see them sleeping on benches. My boyfriend found one guy dead on the pavement, facedown, by Midtown Carrs. And also there is a serial killer out there right now picking them off. But all of this happens. I guess its normal. Okey dokey. And they are mostly native. And mostly, no.. its not because they choose it. That's effed up to be walking around thinking that. I would hate myself. I've only met one guy who thought it was awesome to be homeless. He had aids. and he was a white alcoholic.

I have seen and experienced first hand what happens in those shelters; It is discusting indeed. We purposely stayed there for 3 months last summer; just to see first hand what these people experience on a daily basis; I was very surprised to find out that these people are extremely happy despite their homeless condition. some of these people have lived in the near-by woods for 4 years !! They are quite content in their way of life. NO responsibility - and on and on I could go.

We gave away $$$ in :tobacco to everyone at that place; We were extremely well known; In Bean's Cafe - which has nothing at all to do with Brother Francis Shelter; My sons all voluntered for Kitchen duty every day, for hours - no pay - just to keep busy and have something to do. The people who ran beans were quite astounded at all we did for these people and the Cafe itself, Believe it or not - we made a lot of friends that we still keep in touch with. And many more that we care not to ever remember; Those are the ones we tried to help the most; the people we did not like.!!

We even bought Pizza(s) delivered to the entire staff one day at lunch for a surprise for them.

Brother Francis shelter does absolutely nothing to discourage people from Drinking Alcohol.

The Other shelter over on Tudor is quite different and much better in every way, Except it can only hold 30 people. And to gain access you have to pass a breathalyzer test!

Many of the same people rotate between these two shelters as there is a time limit of only 30 days; then you are OUT - for 30 days. on your own. We left the shelter itself after only two weeks. It was a mad house insane atmosphere; too much noise, no space, you sleep with your clothes on and a blanket that is thinner than a t-shirt. I froze in that place, for those two weeks. We spent 2 days over the other place. We did what we had to do; or rather what we wanted to do & left. We still occasssionally go visit there for a few hours to help some people that need a helping hand.

Giving out of your excess; is not giving at all!! Try it once and GIVE to these people, despite all their flaws, (and nobody is perfect). We really met some down to earth people that have dreams & goals. Just too many wrong decisions that put them there. One man; and his (partner) has been there since 1991 !! It was obvious why !! whew !! God must truely love 'crazy' people - he made so many of them!!