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Howard Hale
Creating Opportunities for the Homeless
Roadside Beggars: What are their stories?
Ever wonder who these people are, where they come from and why they can't get a job? We all fantasize about their lives and what got them to the point of standing at a freeway exit, asking for a handout. I usually tell myself, they’re dealing with some addiction issue or are just plain lazy. The reality is I don’t know what the story is. It might be either or neither of the stories I’ve invented. Regardless of the story, it has clearly resulted in a desperate situation. Imagine that life’s circumstances brought you to a place of having to beg for food and money!I'm not one to give out money, unless I think it's going to good use. I've had this conversation with friends and associates. Some give money out of pity; others don't give money at all, mostly because the panhandlers demonstrate a physical ability to work.
That's how I came up with the idea of turning roadside beggars into business people. Everyone should feel good about what they do for a living and I want to feel good about giving them support to do so. But there’s always more to the story than we typically know. In this blog, I will attempt to identify those issues and try, in some small way, to help these people see their ways out of poverty. Stay tuned and we welcome your support with either time or money.
1 comment:
Howard - This sounds like a magical idea! With your permission, I will pass the site on to my husband who always has great ideas.
My only concern is ..... if they don't have to pay anything for the water, then what prevents them from just leaving the unsold water and signs by the side of the road when they are ready to leave?
True business people have to buy their supplies first.
You might call the "Real Change" people and find out if they "sell" their newspapers to their street corner distributors.
Have you checked with any of these Road Stars to see how they feel about the idea?
Have you checked with drivers to find out if they'd buy the water?
Just some thoughts!
This sounds like a brilliant and loving venture!
Bless you for your compassion and concern! - and brilliant creativity!
Sharon
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