Homeless

[galen1115]

I hope it's ok the post this here. Here goes. I really don't know what to do about this. It effected me last night, to the point of not being able to sleep. I was out yesterday walking in the woods, and came up on a man living in the woods in a tent. He didn't look good. I recognized him as a hod carrier that worked on brick jobs around town. I ask him how long he had been living in the tent and John said two months. My jaw dropped to the ground. It's been very cold here and a lot of snow lately. He said he has lost everything and was kicked out of the government housing in our small town for being drunk. I know that he has had a drinking problem for years and is a chronic alcoholic. But he has never hurt anyone and is a soft spoken person. He did lose his license for drunk driving. But he's going to die out there. In a way I thought I would go to the police because he would have food and a warm place to sleep. But I think they would just run him out of town. He did two stints in Vietnam. I know he has a problem with drinking but he doesn't deserve to go out this way. What should I do? Thanks.

 

[deerefan]

I hope it's ok the post this here. Here goes. I really don't know what to do about this. It effected me last night, to the point of not being able to sleep. I was out yesterday walking in the woods, and came up on a man living in the woods in a tent. He didn't look good. I recognized him as a hod carrier that worked on brick jobs around town. I ask him how long he had been living in the tent and John said two months. My jaw dropped to the ground. It's been very cold here and a lot of snow lately. He said he has lost everything and was kicked out of the government housing in our small town for being drunk. I know that he has had a drinking problem for years and is a chronic alcoholic. But he has never hurt anyone and is a soft spoken person. He did lose his license for drunk driving. But he's going to die out there. In a way I thought I would go to the police because he would have food and a warm place to sleep. But I think they would just run him out of town. He did two stints in Vietnam. I know he has a problem with drinking but he doesn't deserve to go out this way. What should I do? Thanks.

Help him as best you can, just keep your safety and that of your family in mind. Never turn your back on someone in need...it may be you one day.

 

[EddieWalker]

The fact that the homeless shelters ran him off tell me that there's more to the story. You can only do so much for people, and somewhere along the line, they will either have to change or continue on their path. I question if he wants to change?

If you really feel for him, give him some food and blankets. Money is the enemy for most homeless people, but so is charity to some extent. Don't pretend to undertand, or invent excuses for him. He can always try other shelters, churches and hospitals. He's chosen to live in the woods.

If it was me, I'd ask him to leave. My fear is that he'll turn to stealing sooner or later, and if he's still drinking, anything is possible. If he doesn't leave, have him removed. You don't want him there regardless of what his situation is, or who he blames for it. There is always help for those who want it, but he has to want it.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[20 20]

You could offer some type of help, but he'll have to WANT to help himself 1st.

. I know that he has had a drinking problem for years and is a chronic alcoholic. But he has never hurt anyone. He did lose his license for drunk driving.

Sorry but he could have easily hurt someone

 

[deerefan]

The fact that the homeless shelters ran him off tell me that there's more to the story. You can only do so much for people, and somewhere along the line, they will either have to change or continue on their path. I question if he wants to change?

If you really feel for him, give him some food and blankets. Money is the enemy for most homeless people, but so is charity to some extent. Don't pretend to undertand, or invent excuses for him. He can always try other shelters, churches and hospitals. He's chosen to live in the woods.

If it was me, I'd ask him to leave. My fear is that he'll turn to stealing sooner or later, and if he's still drinking, anything is possible. If he doesn't leave, have him removed. You don't want him there regardless of what his situation is, or who he blames for it. There is always help for those who want it, but he has to want it.

Good luck,
Eddie

I saw one of those guys standing on a corner one time holding a sign that said hungry, so I told him to sit tight and I went to McD's and got him a couple burgers and a drink. Lo and behold, when I returned, he was gone. You are right about the wanting help. Some folks are happy in their own problems.

 

[Car Doc]

Take this with salt but I would be real nervous having a bum anywhere near my place no matter what I thought I knew about him. I have worked with lots of them in farming they steal to get by that's the way it is.

I would probably let the police know about it anyway. I would hate to have to shoot the guy if I caught someone sneaking around or inside my place at night or worse. What he "needs" is a job and some medical attention and he hasn't accomplished that on his own so there is nothing you can do. jmho

Steve

 

[CurlyDave]

Many people with drug & alcohol problems choose not to live in shelters because they have rules about not drinking and drugging.

My own belief is that most of these people are suffering from the disease of alcoholism. There is no human power which can save them.

One practical thing to do would be to call the local Alcoholics Anonymous, and explain the situation. They should be in the phone book. In most places they do not answer the phone directly, but have an answering service. They will call you back within a few hours and may be willing to send one or two people out to talk to John if you explain the situation. Even if the closest chapter is quite a ways away, they will drive astonishing distances to help.

It might be helpful if you would arrange to meet their volunteers and lead them to John's camp. They will know of the correct resources to help John if he can be helped, and they may be able to persuade him to start on the road to recovery.

After that, it is up to John and God.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

I hope it's ok the post this here. Here goes. I really don't know what to do about this. It effected me last night, to the point of not being able to sleep. I was out yesterday walking in the woods, and came up on a man living in the woods in a tent. He didn't look good. I recognized him as a hod carrier that worked on brick jobs around town. I ask him how long he had been living in the tent and John said two months. My jaw dropped to the ground. It's been very cold here and a lot of snow lately. He said he has lost everything and was kicked out of the government housing in our small town for being drunk. I know that he has had a drinking problem for years and is a chronic alcoholic. But he has never hurt anyone and is a soft spoken person. He did lose his license for drunk driving. But he's going to die out there. In a way I thought I would go to the police because he would have food and a warm place to sleep. But I think they would just run him out of town. He did two stints in Vietnam. I know he has a problem with drinking but he doesn't deserve to go out this way. What should I do? Thanks.

If the man is a veteran, he deserves a modicum of respect, even if he doesn't respect himself...don't offer him money. Give him some food, water and some warm clothes or blankets along with a firm deadline to remove himself from the premises and follow through...even if it requires forceful eviction by the authorities. But, try to do it as respectfully as possible.

 

[beenthere]

I hope it's ok the post this here. Here goes. I really don't know what to do about this. It effected me last night, to the point of not being able to sleep. I was out yesterday walking in the woods, and came up on a man living in the woods in a tent. He didn't look good. I recognized him as a hod carrier that worked on brick jobs around town. I ask him how long he had been living in the tent and John said two months. My jaw dropped to the ground. It's been very cold here and a lot of snow lately. He said he has lost everything and was kicked out of the government housing in our small town for being drunk. I know that he has had a drinking problem for years and is a chronic alcoholic. But he has never hurt anyone and is a soft spoken person. He did lose his license for drunk driving. But he's going to die out there. In a way I thought I would go to the police because he would have food and a warm place to sleep. But I think they would just run him out of town. He did two stints in Vietnam. I know he has a problem with drinking but he doesn't deserve to go out this way. What should I do? Thanks.

Not clear if this is your woods, or someone else's. ??

I feel sorry for him to a degree. And using the veteran defense doesn't solve any problems.
Can't kiss a girl leaning away from you, or climb a fence leaning toward you, nor help someone who doesn't want to be helped.

I hope for your sake he isn't in your woods.

Have to wonder where he gets something to drink? Someone is aiding and abetting his problem. Maybe try to find out who, but I suspect it is someone thinking they help him by giving him money.

 

[DonWorrell]

Let me explain who I am. I am the President and CEO of a homeless shelter in Nashville, TN. I began working here in 1985. I started out working as a Part Time employee. I have worked with guys like John many many time.

First, if John is on your property that is dangerous. You are propbably liable for any injuries he receives while on your property.

Second, John is like many Viet Nam vets. He returned from the conflict, which was very unpopular, and wasn't really accepted back as a returning hero. John and many others like him reverted to maintain the same life-style which began in Nam.

Third, John will only get better if he wants to get better. He needs to face reality about his situtationand stop making excuses. Tough Love is needed here more than anything. Talk to your Adult Protective division in Social Services. They should intervene. If they don't keep calling. The squeeky wheel get the grease. The VA has a homeless outreach division in some areas for veterens. Contact the regional VA office and inquire. Again the squeeky wheel get the grease.

Fourth, Pray for John, I have found people like John respond to the Gospel well. John could feel unloved and valueless. Ask him where he was evicted from. Try to find out why he was evicted. Sometimes an outside source like you can get John another chance.

Fifth, if all this fails contact the police and file tresspassing charges agains John. This will get him into the system and hopefully he won't fall through the cracks.

Sixth, thank you for being concernd.

Don Worrell
President and CEO
Nashville Rescue Mission