No sprinklers required: How my church kept homeless people off church steps

cruxnow ^ | March 19, 2015 | Linda Kaufman

[twister881]

As a “cradle Episcopalian” who left the church five years ago, I don't condemn pastoral care or community outreach. What I criticize is formerly Christian denominations that have become little more than social justice organizations. Many have rejected even the basic tenets of faith: the Virgin birth, the divinity of Jesus, the Resurrection, the existence of Heaven and hell, Eternal life, and - incredible to say - the existence of God. Instead, they have embraced and push left wing ideologies, including abortion, illegal immigration, unilateral disarmament, euthanasia, UN Millennium Development Goals, and assisted suicide. What they did was not for Him, but for the satisfaction their social services group.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Well, those are the reasons why I would never be Methodist or Episcopalian. Nevertheless, they aren’t all like the worst of them; and I believe in giving due credit when people are doing something right.

[ravenwolf]

Most likely different situations in different places, some places may need portable toilets but dry places to sleep.

It sounds like they are doing the right thing for those people who are actually looking for a job but all people are not looking for jobs.

Other people just needs fed for today because tomorrow is out of sight, this is not the responsibility of the church as a body but it is the responsibility of the individuals.

[Talisker]

There are really different categories of homeless...

Acknowledging that is the crux of truly dealing with the problem.

The main groups: mentally ill, substance abusers, everyone else.

One main, primary, immediate goal - get them into housing. Not a "bed," but a place, no matter how humble, from which they can form a new base for their lives. It's a fundamental human need, and not having it sabotages everything and anything else that is done.

The first two groups mostly need SMALL group environments with intense daily management. The last group needs PERSONAL private spaces and occasional management with access to re-entry services.

The reason everything is a catastrophe now is that these three groups are mixed together in large group spaces. Doesn't work, won't work, can't work.

[DaveMSmith]

Locally here, we used to have an asylum whose residents were integrated successfully into the community. We have a very comprehensive county mental health service that addresses every conceivable need for it's clients. We do not have a homeless and mentally ill problem here. All have useful work and jobs and our churches are involved. Our county is rural. Grant money is wisely spent. Many volunteer time from early age to assist.

In the original article here, no one mentioned was mentally ill. Everyone's problem had an easy solution.

[Ditter]

I am all for helping people who have fallen on hard times but want to do better. My husband had an uncle who came home from WW 2 and promptly became an alcoholic. In spite of all the time and money my father in law spent on him, he died under a bridge with his wineo buddies. Regardless of what tragedy may have driven them there I have no sympathy for people like him.

[lastchance]

None, since I know the whole fuss up was about discrediting the Archbishop.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I can well understand that there are a whole lot of powerful people out there who will dredge around for any issue they can use to shoot down Abp. Cordeleone--- a personal hero of mine.

However, he certainly supplied his enemies with the bullet by going along with this sprinkler strategy to deal with the homeless.