Homeless people in Alaska? (Anchorage, Chase: crimes, mortgage, house)

[Marty Van Diest]

Most, but not all, homeless people are there because of their own choosing. The state has a good housing assistance program for people who really need help. These tend to be young mothers without enough income to provide for themselves and their children.

A man without any dependents has a harder time getting help from the state. Mostly that is reasonable. Some of them have mental issues but refuse to remain in places that would help them.

I am pretty familiar with the issue because my grandfather ran a rescue mission for about 30 years.

I ran into a homeless man in Palmer a couple weeks ago. He was bumming food from people coming out of Carrs. I tried to think of a place he could go to in the valley...but there isn't any. He was looking to go home with someone. Since I have kids I was not willing to take him home with me so I offered to drive him to a shelter in Anchorage...he refused for racist reasons. So I offered him a tent and sleeping bag and ride to a campground. He said he already had a camp set up. When I heard that I was not so concerned. I have personally spent months camping out. It gets a little tough when its 20 below, but still possible.

There is a guy right now staying in an old beater van along the old Glenn near the Eklutna power plant. He is there because he likes the independence. He would be considered homeless, and he is, but he wants to be there, and I for one am willing not to meddle in his affairs.

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by megensmom

I feel for those that are truly homeless but I do have a question. They say they can't find work,I know 2 places right now in fairbanks that for as long as you will come to work sober they would hire you and one of them even let a person park their van in the parking area and use the electric hook up just to help the person get on their feet. Granted these places only pay about $9 per hour but wouldn't a job that pays that even if it was fast food or something be better than nothing?

Even though I am in Missouri, the homeless folks that are willing to work have a hard time because they have no address, phone#, or decent clothes to wear. Some of our homeless do have cars and some do not. Also...will most employers hire a homeless person? Are they able to shower regularly? Does their presence help or hurt business and/or cause problems with fellow co-workers? I work in the social service field and although not impossible, it is a tremendous task to find and keep a job if you are homeless. Fortunately their are great employers out there but from my experience, most are not so gracious.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Mollym313

Even though I am in Missouri, the homeless folks that are willing to work have a hard time because they have no address, phone#, or decent clothes to wear. Some of our homeless do have cars and some do not. Also...will most employers hire a homeless person? Are they able to shower regularly? Does their presence help or hurt business and/or cause problems with fellow co-workers? I work in the social service field and although not impossible, it is a tremendous task to find and keep a job if you are homeless. Fortunately their are great employers out there but from my experience, most are not so gracious.

Excellent....

and it's unrealistic for anyone to say that the homeless should work in fast food, especially with the former mortgage brokers et al hogging up that sort of work these days.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by lonewolf39

i currently am a homeless person not cause of my own reasonings but cause i got layed off and then didnt have the money to continue paying rent and feeding myself. I have applyed to many different jobs in the last few months trying to get a job so i wont have to live in the cold this winter, but from the way the economy is ill be lucky to get something. The worst thing about being homeless is that you know that your dad is also homeless and now his son is also homeless but not for the same reasons. Well enjoy your homes everyone that makes fun of homeless people cause someday you might be out were i am and start wanting help and you wont get it.

If you're still reading here...please consider applying for jobs that offer a room and board situation. They are out there; if you need some links, DM me.

[lyoness]

Originally Posted by Mollym313

Even though I am in Missouri, the homeless folks that are willing to work have a hard time because they have no address, phone#, or decent clothes to wear. Some of our homeless do have cars and some do not. Also...will most employers hire a homeless person? Are they able to shower regularly? Does their presence help or hurt business and/or cause problems with fellow co-workers? I work in the social service field and although not impossible, it is a tremendous task to find and keep a job if you are homeless. Fortunately their are great employers out there but from my experience, most are not so gracious.

Toledo has cornered the market on homeless, it is truely heartbreaking, whole families living in their cars. Most every city should have a homeless shelter of some sort. I believe the majority of those can point the needy in the direction for help (from the large write ups in media that I've seen it seems to be true across the board). Here there are places that will allow the homeless to use the shelter as an address and message center for job searches. The library has free internet so many can sign up for free e-mail also.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by lonewolf39

i currently am a homeless person not cause of my own reasonings but cause i got layed off and then didnt have the money to continue paying rent and feeding myself. I have applyed to many different jobs in the last few months trying to get a job so i wont have to live in the cold this winter, but from the way the economy is ill be lucky to get something. The worst thing about being homeless is that you know that your dad is also homeless and now his son is also homeless but not for the same reasons. Well enjoy your homes everyone that makes fun of homeless people cause someday you might be out were i am and start wanting help and you wont get it.

Well if you are in fact homeless and have access to a computer (which is odd, because you show a resourcefulness to find one), there is a lot of jobs that you can find on the INTERNET.

There is shelters all over Alaska, so if you wanted to keep warm, that isn't an issue.

I have a feeling that you aren't as down and out as you are claiming to be, but there is a lot of trolls here that do the "bait threads" just to stir up dust, so I lean towards being a bit skeptical.

If you are in fact homeless and sincere about bettering yourself, post some of your work skills here and maybe someone can point you in a direction that would assist you.

Otherwise, here is some other links to look at:

http://www.jobs.state.ak.us/

http://www.alaskahelpwanted.com/

http://www.adn.com/classified/employment/

http://classifieds.newsminer.com/bro...php?pid=2&sort=

http://www.frontiersman.com/classifieds/employment/ (broken link)

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Excellent....

and it's unrealistic for anyone to say that the homeless should work in fast food, especially with the former mortgage brokers et al hogging up that sort of work these days.

No, most got the Bail Out money.... All the fast food places I have been to during the last few years seem to be leaning towards hiring those with nose, ear, eyebrow and a host of other metal piercings... Kinda why I don't go there much anymore when I am in town...


Do you want that meal super sized?

[MaggieZ]

I believe with homelessness also comes the dispair, the hopelessness. Homeless doesn't happen overnight, you cling on as long as your mental and physdical condition allows you. Then one day you get that "last drop" and you let go and slide down. Being one paycheck away from homelessness is hard, I 've been there...it's not from lack of trying, schooling does not mean an automatic job, willingness to work does not mean you get a job..lots of menial labor is back breaking. You get treated like dirt and have to work for peanuts. Those low paying jobs sometimes have bosses that are bullies and threaten to take your job away everyday, it's demeaning...
Of course there are some who just don't care one way or the other and feel everyone owes them a living...

[unconscious]

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.

u have to be sober to get in the shelter some can't do that.be in by 10:00pm. out at 8:00pm.drugs&alcahol are a major facter.i used to live rite there below bishops attic.across from the play ground.my wife&i would pick up syringes&broken glass.so kids could play there.i could go on&on but hey there are lots of reasons.mental to physical. and yes there is a dangerous person out there.been yrs.

[BudinAk]

Originally Posted by lonewolf39

i currently am a homeless person not cause of my own reasonings but cause i got layed off and then didnt have the money to continue paying rent and feeding myself. I have applyed to many different jobs in the last few months trying to get a job so i wont have to live in the cold this winter, but from the way the economy is ill be lucky to get something. The worst thing about being homeless is that you know that your dad is also homeless and now his son is also homeless but not for the same reasons. Well enjoy your homes everyone that makes fun of homeless people cause someday you might be out were i am and start wanting help and you wont get it.

Hey lonewolf: what kind of work do you like, or normally do? If I hear of something, I'll let ya know...


Bud