Our Homeless Population!
I've mentioned the homeless here in Riverside, CA before. Specifically the daily begging for money which is overwhelming given that there is an extremely large population of these homeless people here!Any given day the swarm the library to wash up, use the bathroom and then stay the day to escape the heat or cold. All of this is fine because, after all, they are homeless and the library is public.
The only thing that is a real pain with the people is the bathroom use. They have no responsibilities so they lounge around in everything they do. It's easy enough to work around them except for the bathroom use.
They go into the stall and they stay for long periods of time. This is especially true of the ones that are in need of mental health care. I hate to say this but when these guys go into a stall after awhile your forced to peek between the door cracks to see what they're doing.
I know this sounds weird but the men that aren't crazy just sit there and sit there for as long as 15 minutes at a time. Again, it's their habitat and culture. They have nothing to do and plenty of time to do it so they just take their time and alot of it. Then there are those that think their leisure allows them to get on cellphones and yak away!
The crazy ones will go in, lock the door and pace and talk to themselves and/or use their cellphones and just take up time.
Then you have to go look for a guard and the guard then has to involve the police and the police come to pry them out.
I'll bet your saying, "Well use the other one"!! There are no other ones. The city libraries here have just one stall. Period.
As funny as it is afterwards the hard part is keeping from soiling your pants when the urge is great. Oh well, that's life!
Comments (18)
Really messy at times...
I think they were made illegal, or something. Haven't seen one probably since the '70s or so.
I suppose it'd keep the loo cleaner...
might have to watch your step walking the street.
The down side of public facilities...
The public - ALL of the public - gets to use them.
& at one you had to show proof of a residence...
Kind of a modern variation on Jim Crow.
Pay toilets...Jim Crow...
Did not realize you had colon cancer.
Still go to your next meeting.
There has got to be something you can do where your outtings will not be so fustrating.
Danged new fangled free toilets...
That's what's made 'em soft, dad-gum it all!!
Have that caretaker guy check id's as long he's there.
No residence?
Toilets here are separated ...a man cleans the toilet for men and woman cleans the toilet for women
We have that problem in South Carolina as well, but I'm sure not to the extent it is in California. I go to the public library Mon-Thur because I drive my daughter to her college classes. I see the homeless everyday. It is so sad.
Usually they stay at a shelter at night, but that is a first come first served basis. When the shelter is at capacity they have to turn some away and that gets dangerous in the winter time. Most of the people I have come in contact with have not bathed in a while and the smell is indescribable. They usually carry all their possessions and bed roll with them in a ruck sack or a back back. They don't dare leave anything lying around in a shelter or hostel as it will get stolen. Many of them self medicate with drugs and alcohol.
When you mentioned California, that reminded me of a petition I recently signed on Change.org. It was about the plight of homeless Veterans. It is so sad. Here is paragraph of the article:
We place such a high value on those who enlist in the military and seemingly an even higher value on veterans, but why is it when they return many do not find adequate and effective support from the government? Many of these brave men and women may be initially reluctant to seek help, especially for mental disorders. When they finally request it, we just cast them aside without a second thought. When will we open our eyes to the hundreds of thousands of veterans who are struggling to integrate themselves back into society?
Full link:
That reminds me if one movie ...with Danny Glover and James Franco....can't remember the title but it showed a lot about being homeless . It's really sad, at least there are shelters that temporarily take them in. In Philippines, I'm scared to go out alone at night, there are many homeless people and children sleeping on the sidewalks and under the bridge, many have only card board and news papers as their bed and blankets . It's heart breaking ....I wish the government could help each and everyone of those homeless specially the children.
Here in Jordan, you won't see a single soul sleeping outside in the dark...everyone goes home and be with their family ...safe and sound. One of the things that I like here
Yes, it is so sad to see the lost and forgotten ones. Many people with mental illness are homeless and cannot get the help they need and they have no one to advocate for them. Their plight affects me strongly as I live daily with my own mental health issues. Fortunately for me I have a family and insurance to pay for my medical needs. I could have easily ended up as any one of these people I see on the streets.
Fortunately, I was only homeless and living in my car for one month, but that experience will stay with me forever. I was hungry and I ate food that was old and moldy. Fortunately, that was before I had children, so they never went through that with me. It has taught me an appreciation of what is really important in life and things that mean nothing such as consumerism and buying all the latest gadgets. Family and friends are what really matter.
I am still working on healing from my abusive marriage, but when I am stronger, I plan to be an advocate for the mentally ill, for the people who have no voice and can't help themselves.
I agree with concentrating on the positive things. My children are my life as well. I feel the same as you do about a relationship. That is why I'm trying for a LDR. Local guys try to date me and I say no.
To be honest, I don't know how to act around a nice, normal guy. I am completely at a loss and socially awkward. For some reason, if a man is nice to me, it makes me feel like crying. I don't know why. Nice behavior is so shocking to me.
So, I isolate myself and stay in the house, I go out whenever I have to take the kids anywhere. I'm pretty much a hermit with wifi.
I know that things will be better soon. I have faith. And I know someday that I will feel safe. I believe.
Hi all
Como estas!!!