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Jill · July 11th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Argue is the one thing I DO NOT do, so I will not here either. But I will say my mindset is NOT what you accused me of being. Never did I call any homeless person lazy or crazy. Quite the contrary, women who come into the shelter are not lazy! I can take it further than that, In my shelter white women out number black women 2 to 1 and black women don't whine. They have learned to do what they have to in order to survive and my numbers speak for themselves (256 residents last year of which 110 were black, 2 hispanic and the rest white). So despite the government and welfare and poor wages (which all have merit) black women are keeping their heads above water.

Second I did not single you out, I don't even know you so I can't debate the merits of why you were homeless. And I never said people choose to be homeless (I only know of one) what I said was it is because of poor choices(s) that lead to homelessness. I include the plural because it is usually more than one choice.

Lastly as far as people like me... Well again I can't speak for the world or try to represent them...but my job is a calling for me. No one gave me this job as a favor. I (alone) made some unwise choices and found myself homeless with three sons in tow. Thankfully for some it is an in and out situation. It was not for me, it lasted many years and several shelters. At some point I also decided I had to do better and I did. I am now the director of a shelter, those three boys...well two went to the Navy and one is in Medical school.

I agree that the government plays a major role in the economy, that many, including myself is one paycheck away, racism is alive and well and the condition of mankind dictates that there will be situations where one has major disadvantages that leads to being homeless, unable to pay the rent, put gas in the car, etc. but we are surviving in those conditions and those conditions cannot be blamed for the many who chooses to buy dope rather than pay the bills (and I have seen them bounce back too), or opt to put baby daddy before the bills and baby daddy don't turn around and help with the bills (read some of the boards where the women tell it like it is), or make choices that in turn leads to being not only homeless but in any condition that is detramental.

As far as donations, I agree with you. So I don't take that personal. My salary remains the same weather there is a donation or not. Difference is I don't propose to do it because it sounds good, I have and do it. Many of my dollars have been given to People on the streets and I don't begrudge any of it. I prefer not to sit and bounce the ideas around but do it. I am the one who picks up after others who dismiss that wino as just a bum or talk about miss girl who could do better.

By the way, I don't hire staff to come do the dirty work. I do it myself. I do my own paperwork, shelter monitoring, transportation, case management, daycare, distribute meals, all that. One woman show, black woman, doing it by myself. I walk while others talk.

July 11th, 2008, 03:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jill Afro Resident Newbie Jill is offline Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0 Credits: 124	Argue is the one thing I DO NOT do, so I will not here either. But I will say my mindset is NOT what you accused me of being. Never did I call any homeless person lazy or crazy. Quite the contrary, women who come into the shelter are not lazy! I can take it further than that, In my shelter white women out number black women 2 to 1 and black women don't whine. They have learned to do what they have to in order to survive and my numbers speak for themselves (256 residents last year of which 110 were black, 2 hispanic and the rest white). So despite the government and welfare and poor wages (which all have merit) black women are keeping their heads above water. Second I did not single you out, I don't even know you so I can't debate the merits of why you were homeless. And I never said people choose to be homeless (I only know of one) what I said was it is because of poor choices(s) that lead to homelessness. I include the plural because it is usually more than one choice. Lastly as far as people like me... Well again I can't speak for the world or try to represent them...but my job is a calling for me. No one gave me this job as a favor. I (alone) made some unwise choices and found myself homeless with three sons in tow. Thankfully for some it is an in and out situation. It was not for me, it lasted many years and several shelters. At some point I also decided I had to do better and I did. I am now the director of a shelter, those three boys...well two went to the Navy and one is in Medical school. I agree that the government plays a major role in the economy, that many, including myself is one paycheck away, racism is alive and well and the condition of mankind dictates that there will be situations where one has major disadvantages that leads to being homeless, unable to pay the rent, put gas in the car, etc. but we are surviving in those conditions and those conditions cannot be blamed for the many who chooses to buy dope rather than pay the bills (and I have seen them bounce back too), or opt to put baby daddy before the bills and baby daddy don't turn around and help with the bills (read some of the boards where the women tell it like it is), or make choices that in turn leads to being not only homeless but in any condition that is detramental. As far as donations, I agree with you. So I don't take that personal. My salary remains the same weather there is a donation or not. Difference is I don't propose to do it because it sounds good, I have and do it. Many of my dollars have been given to People on the streets and I don't begrudge any of it. I prefer not to sit and bounce the ideas around but do it. I am the one who picks up after others who dismiss that wino as just a bum or talk about miss girl who could do better. By the way, I don't hire staff to come do the dirty work. I do it myself. I do my own paperwork, shelter monitoring, transportation, case management, daycare, distribute meals, all that. One woman show, black woman, doing it by myself. I walk while others talk.