Project hooks up homeless with voice mail accounts

SFGATE ^ | Thursday, April 13, 2006 | Kevin Fagan

[csvset]

Ah, the modern age of telephone technology. It can work wonders, even if you don't have a phone. Or a table to put it on. Or a roof to sleep under.

Simon and Kari Wollam learned that firsthand when they walked into Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Thursday after another night of being homeless in San Francisco, and in 10 minutes each had their first voice mail accounts in more years than they could remember.

They still have no home. They still don't have telephones. But now at least, they said, they have a tool that could help them get those things, and more.

Under a program being introduced this month called Project CARE (Communications and Respect for Everybody), homeless and other low-income people are able to sign up for individual telephone numbers where they can leave and receive voice mail messages.

[csvset]

You have one new message. Get a job.

[SIDENET]

Let's just get them laptops and cell phones while we're at it.

[yankeedame]

Project hooks up homeless with voice mail accounts

The mind reels with sarcastic replies.

[SkyPilot]

"TO: Welfare OfficeSUBJ: I want my check!

"Hey! There wasn't an ETF this morning when I checked my ATM!! I need that cash - there is a sale on MD 20/20 at the liquor store!! Get with it!

_{Sent via my wireless Blackberry}

[ZOOKER]

"This is _____________. I'm not at home right now..."

[mtbopfuyn]

Why get a job when other provide them with all the amenities?

[Samwise]

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day...
teach him to fish, and you feed him for life...
give a man voice mail, and you....?

Someone needs to help me out here. I can't quite figure this one out.

[steve-b]

Seriously, though, a reliable contact point is pretty much essential for someone who is legitimately trying to put his life back together (as opposed to someone who is a derelict unable or unwilling to do so).

[Puppage]

You have one new message. Get a job.

ROTFLMFAO!!!

[Puppage]

give a man voice mail, and you....?

....can make fun of him without having to smell him.

[Rebelbase]

Ha! I thought it was funny!

[robertpaulsen]

In other news, Project CARE also set up the homeless with free checking and an IRA retirement account.

As Rush says, symbolism over substance.

[Rebelbase]

"John, I saw you begging at my corner today. Do it again and i'll burn your house down. No wait, I'll....."

[yankeedame]

Seriously, though, a reliable contact point is pretty much essential for someone who is legitimately trying to put his life back together.

Gee, how did people do this before?

[steve-b]

Gee, how did people do this before?

That sounds clever, but it's fallacious.

The fact that business communications two hundred years ago consisted entirely of physically carried documents does not mean that anyone could do much business now without using telephones, faxes, e-mail, etc. As the tools available to one's competitors rise, one must follow (or find some equally effective alternative); standing still is not an option unless one is resigned to falling behind.

If more people focused on this sort of hand-UP rather than hand-OUT assistance, social problems might actually get alleviated rather than providing a permanent political base for the socialist left.

[justrepublican]

Just an improvement in social services distribution.

[Mike Darancette]

Hello you've reached the voice mail for: "screaming about the government and extraterrestial aliens followed by pleas for wine" Please leave you message ....

[Rakkasan1]

don't laugh. it's eurofrisco. it'll happen soon enough.

[cmsgop]

Hi , This is Jeb and I'm piss drunk right now, but if you leave a message....

[hypocritter]

I've seen homeless in SF with cell phones. Don't know how they're paid for.