J.R. STAVES: 2012-06-10

Okay, this post is actually going to be a response to a post written by Broke Grad Student "Why I Never Give Money To Homeless People". According to his post he did not always have this policy, however a few experiences of his have left him resentful. For example, one situation where one gave spare, and the person got mad because they could not give a little more. He's also seen some flat out refuse food b/c they prefer money. He also gives reasons like the risk of not knowing what they are going to do with it, it's easy for them to say that they are hungry but it may easily go towards drugs, alcohol or cigarettes.

I believe that it easily could, and I would wonder why if that individual is hungry they would spend it all on those things, however, if I were homeless, not knowing when my next meal was going to be I'd probably buy me some alcohol (with a meal of course) too. I've had my past encounters with the individual holding up the sign stating that "I'm hungry, and I need (x amount) of money to eat" and if I have the spare on me, I usually give it to them. Even if they do spend it all on alcohol, at least I know where my heart was when I gave them that money. I say that b/c I'm highly unlikely to ever encounter them again. There was even a situation where a fella asked me for $0.50 at a convenience store b/c he was short of some change to get a beer. He seemed like a pretty sober guy, I had a bit on me, so I gave him the two quarters and continued pumping my gas. I'm a kind person by nature , I've even taken the risk and given stranded individuals a ride home or ride to the grocery store [dangerous I know b/c you don't know who the hell you might be dealing with, but again, I would only pray that if I were in the same situations, that someone would do the same for me]. There was a situation with an older man being stranded at a park, he asked me for some change, I had to run to the bank, but my account was in insufficient funds (I think this was like 08-09), there was no way I could face him again, I felt just awful about it. Prayerfully he got what he needed, I bet he thinks I'm a total douche, but that's not the case.

Okay, now that I've rambled a bit more about my homeless/stranded encounters let me say this. While I do not demand an itemized list of what you are going to do w/ the money that I lend for you, I would still like an idea of what you are going to do with it. If you like to smoke, drink, or do drugs, that's okay, but I want you to buy a meal with it as well. Or if you are short some change for a beer or something, let me know upfront. Don't lie to me, saying that you are hungry, but then you blow it all on drugs. I had one case that I encountered while attending an event downtown, he was a homeless individual that I initially met at the bookstore, I ran into again months later. At the time I met this guy (June-July of 2010), I did not know he was from place to place like he was, however this time the same year, the end of September, I met him, he was telling me his situation, I was literally heart broken by it, he has family near by but they had just about given up on him. He's pretty estranged from them, but as time was going by I got to see just how unappreciative he really was. There were a million excuses for every suggestion that I gave him, he was a con artist. He never kept his story straight, it always changed.He was the kind of individual that would ask you to buy him food, drinks, etc, haul him everywhere in town, and THEN ask you for money. He would get jobs (so he claims), and would find any reason under the sun to quit them (and I mean decent jobs for someone who didn't even finish high school). He hung out with a similar crowd of people like that as well. Users. This fool could not get himself to the food stamp office, but yet he could take his ass on a bus with his girlfriend on a field trip two hours away. I cut the contact off for a while, until two months later he ran into me again at the same initial spot that he saw me at. Oh that's another thing, he was supposedly banned from this bookstore, but they let him back in, and now the bullshit started all over again. The final straw (there was many straws this following year, 2011), was this crap he pulled asking me to bail him out of some mess from when he was in a gang in the past. Being the dumbass that I was, I did it. I gave him half the money, and then he got the rest from another individual (so he said). I did not deal w/ him for about three weeks, tried it again. He asked to get something to eat, I stated I did not have the money. He asked if I had enough to just get a soda. I said sure. So I pull to the convenience store, I got a V8, he picks up a soda, some chips and some chicken. "Oh I'll pay you back", no you won't fool. Would you still believed that he asked me to borrow some money later on?

Okay, so you see that I had a case where I had to stop giving to an individual, but I still don't let that hinder me from giving to people in need, b/c homeless shelters only hold so much individuals, and food shelters cannot feed every homeless individual in America to just say "fuck it" and not give to anyone, is not the answer b/c it takes a community to make a difference. I mean, folks we are in a recession, people are losing their jobs left and right, we have people using section 8 and public assistance who have never had to do so in their lives. You don't know where you could end up, so please don't cut everyone off, sometimes you do have to take the risk and help even if you don't know who the person is. Some are simply looking for conversation, some are hungry, cold, thirsty, damn! But w/ that being said, you can still be wise, you can't just give to everyone who asks, b/c some of them are clearly scammers. You can still be responsible, but don't be so selfish. Don't assume that all homeless people are there by their own choice or by bad decisions. Even if they made bad decisions, what could they have done to deserve to be kicked out of a home that they worked for w/ no food to eat? Think about that people, count your blessings, and grow a little more empathy. What about you? Do you give to homeless or stranded individuals? Why or why not?

To read the original blog click here

Click to read my comments under the name "Joel"

Okay, if anybody knows me, they know I'm a sucker for urban planning and mixed use developments. With that being said, I never thought that I would see the day one would be constructed in my hometown. We were supposed to get one a while back called SOUTHRIDGE; However, the developer ended up selling the land. I'm still hoping that they end up trying it again somewhere else in the Lake Area. Anyway, moving on to the topic, WALNUT GROVE is the TND (Traditional Neighborhood Development) that I am talking about. It's actually named after an old picnic spot in Lake Charles that was cleared out long before I was even a thought (actually before either of my parents were a thought, WG was cleared out in 1926). From what I've read, it was the most serene, stunning park in Lake Charles. The road leading to this spot was probably the most breathtaking road in the area. Couples often courted in the area down the Lovers Lane bridge. Unfortunately, this place is no more, now being occupied by the Lake Charles port. With that being said, the TND is actually adjacent to the old location of Walnut Grove and the developers are hoping to bring back the warmth and sense of community of the old picnic destination.

The neighborhood will be along Sallier Road in Lake Charles and will be along the contraband bayou. There will be a depot, an alley, and a great lawn for gatherings (much like the old picnic area). Word is that there will be events for the general public as well as resident only affairs. This neighborhood will include retail, townhomes, and apartments. I'd like to see a beinget spot open up! If all goes well, Lake Charles could be on the map after all. What do you think about this development? Are you from Lake Charles? If not are you from Louisiana? If not where are you from? How do you feel about TND's in general?