Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Millions of people risk life and limb to come to this country, even when the economy is bad. They want to escape from their existence, for many different reasons. They know, at least they've been told, that America is one of the few places in the world where you can make your dreams come true no matter what your background, circumstances, or whatever "isms" form obstacles. At least, that's the hope. Well, New York City and Hollywood are the mecca and the ports of entry of dream seekers. Some make it; but most don't. Most end up working a regular job and pursuing their passions on the side. On the other hand, many end up homeless due to unfortunate circumstances, some bad choices, and other forms of escapism; stuck in dreamland. So, when New York City Mayor Bloomberg gives the homeless a one-way ticket out of the city is he moving them further away from the American dream?
As I look in the mirror this morning getting ready for my day, the job search, the bad economy, I realize that "there before the grace of God go I." The economy is stabilizing, however, employment is usually the last economic indicator to improve, according to economists. There's irony in the fact that the man, Michael Bloomberg (listed as the eighth richest American on the Forbes 400) who has achieved the American dream, many times over, has sent many dreamers packing, back to where they came from.
Mayor Bloomberg stated in a press conference, this past Friday,July 31st, that it costs $36,000 per family to be in a homeless shelter in New York City. He says the $500,000 the city spends in a year to relocate families is paltry in comparison to what would be spent to help the 564 families/individuals that have been relocated, if they stayed in NYC. The city has even established a travel agency that handles international flights for homeless called the Department of Homeless Services.
Surprisingly enough, this solution doesn't really bother me. It's not as insensitive as it may sound to some people. I think it's a good idea for those that qualify for the program. The city makes sure that the families are being received by a family or put into an apartment and follows up and makes sure that they are settled in their destination. Not one family has returned to a New York City homeless shelter.
My concern, and many other's, is that the program is relocating the underlying problems that afflict the chronically homeless. The underlying issues are mental illness, domestic violence and/or sexual abuse, unemployment, drug addiction/alcohol abuse, or a combination of all or some of these things. These are very difficult problems to solve and, let's face it, many people feel like it's not society's responsibility to help people when they've lost their way, or suffer from these ills. But, those of us who feel a responsibility to help, have to write to our state and federal legislators to find out what funding is available to provide this type of programming. Also, we really need to be supportive of President Obama's efforts to get Congress and the House to pass healthcare reform so that people with mental illness can get the help and medication they need on a regular basis.
So, what happens to that plum of a dream for those who are relocated and don't have those underlying problems? Well, it doesn't have to become a festering sore. With new technology that connects the world, access to Internet at public libraries and other public places, online training programs, etc, dreams don't have to die just because the physical location has changed.
The New York diaspora that is created by this relocation program, as one writer put it, is not a problem governors and mayors should be complaining about receiving, in my opinion. Chronic homelessness is a problem that state and city leaders should collaborate on and share ideas to help ease the pain. That's the advantage of having all of this social media at our fingertips, the sharing of information and knowledge quickly and efficiently. After all, the homeless problem is not just a NYC problem, it is a worldwide problem.
Chris Gardner is a man on which the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness," was based on. He became homeless due to unfortunate circumstances and some not so wise choices. Against those odds, he became a stockbroker and eventually built a multi-million dollar brokerage firm. He has employed many people and has contributed to the state and local tax base. So, don't count the homeless out. There's hope for their dreams and their dreams can enhance our lives.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=8206940&page=2
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