On again at the off-ramp

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about a homeless man. This week, I was going to write about another homeless guy (an inspirational piece), but that will come next time around. I chose to write about the same man because I had questions about why he was always present at an intersection when I passed by, as well as about how I could help him and whether I should. Well, today, I finally had an opportunity -- albeit a brief one -- to talk to him.

The man is usually at the intersection of Moross and I-94. He is there rain, sleet or snow. He's as regular as a postal carrier. Regular in the chronological sense, that is. He sits in grass, or mud, or snow and frigid weather, as was the case today. He looks sad, disheveled and hopeless. If he's playing a part, he plays it well. He makes you want to give him some money, or buy him a meal or offer him a ride.


But I never stopped to offer assistance, because I donate substantial money each year that funds a number of agencies and programs that help individuals who are homeless. I also donate quite a bit of my time to helping the homeless. I figure I do my part. Still, I find it a bit uncomfortable to pass him so frequently and do so little. Today, I changed that. I offered him, what I hope to be a lifeline.


It was a small gesture, maybe even an experiment, I told myself. I gave him a card advertising United Way's 2-1-1 helpline, along with some money to make the call. I hope that he will dial the service up.


My next encounter with him will include a conversation about whether he made the call, and if so, what happened. It would be great if I never happen to see him again because he received the help he needs. Somehow though, I have a feeling that will not be the case.

In an age when many people we know are a disaster away from being homeless --more than 71,000 jobs lost in a day last week is a testament to that fact -- I hope we find a way to assist all those families who will need propping up. The issue confronting us is that service agencies are strapped, and will be even more so for the foreseeable future. President Barack Obama is asking for $819 billion to stimulate the economy, and there's no assurance that will be enough. Ouch!

Part of me is convinced it's a racket the guy at the freeway off-ramp is running, but the Christian in me hopes he is just desperate and doesn't know how to get the help he needs. Time will tell.


I'll keep you posted.

Some sayings are worth repeating, again and again

At one point we have got to take responsibility.

For the third time in as many years I'm mourning the loss of someone my age. A friend from childhood was murdered on New Year's Eve. His name was Delano, and he was killed while working as a bouncer in a nightclub. He put out a guy who was unruly, and the guy came back and shot up the club.

Delano died in the shooting and a couple of other people were wounded. All over something stupid. Someone got drunk and out of control, and rather that accept the consequences of his actions and simply he leave, he decided to escalate the situation, to make matters worse. He went and got a gun, came back and began shooting people. Innocent people. Delano was one of three people wounded, and only fatality. He was just doing his job. A job he held to help support his four children. Now he's gone, all over something stupid.

For me the worst part is that Delano died because someone screwed up and couldn't take responsibility for his actions. He could of just went home -- or dare I say, to another party if that was what he was bent on doing. Instead he took a life, and affected many others.

Every time I hear a grief-stricken mom, or an emotional dad, or a young person's tearful plea that "this violence has got to stop" after someone in Detroit was innocently killed I feel hopeless. I have heard "this violence has got to stop" so many times that I wonder if it even registers with most folks. Part of my problem is I worked at a television station where I watched what seemed like nightly reports of shootings for three years. It doesn't always lead if it bleeds, but it seems to more times than not.

And so I found myself saying, "this madness has to stop!" after Delano's murder, as did many of his childhood friends who came lay him to rest. I had a more difficult time than usual making it to yet another service for a fallen friend. In fact I couldn't bear another tragic scene. I know Delano is aware I miss him nontheless. It's worth repeating, again and again -- this has to stop.

The problem is that the plea falls on too many deaf ears.

Is this good news?

Finally, I thought to myself, as I glanced at the headline -- some good news.

Well, not so much, I realized as I read on.

The state is hiring people, opening offices and undergoing some expansion. The problem is though, that it is adding staff because officials at the state's employment division are overwhelmed by the number of jobless people trying to file unemployment claims or collect their money.

Unemployment hovers around 10 percent right now, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We lost nearly 37,000 jobs in November alone -- second highest in the nation over that period, the BLS said. So many jobless folks are calling the state that lines are jamming up and people are getting those annoying "all circuits are busy" messages. Those are especially busy when you are frustrated person who isn't busy because you don't have anything to do. I've been one them.

I was talking to an unemployed friend today who, for months, has been seeking any type of work he could possibly land . I turned him on to a few little known Internet job resources and within an hour he had drafted four cover letters, tweaked accompanying resumes and submitted them online. I told him, only half joking, that he should start a service in which he submits applications for people. The reality though, is that his actions speak to the desperation of people in Michigan looking for jobs in a state where they are evaporating as fast as water in a region plagued by drought.

Every day I count my blessings, because I realize I am fortunate to be working in a state where the unemployment rate is the amongst the highest in the country. I know I could easily lose that job tomorrow, as a result of working in the nonprofit sector. But I take solace in the fact that I know God will provide for me and my family as long as my faith doesn't waver.

But that same job contributes to my anxiety, because in doing community service work I realize that the high rate of poverty that engulfs my community means I'm always going to be walking the same streets where people are struggling. That's because without better education and job skills -- oh yeah, and actual opportunities -- poor people will be unable to lift themselves out of their unfortunate circumstances.

I definitely didn't read any good news. Next to the story about the added jobs was one about a local school asking parents to donate toilet paper and light bulbs to help its students. Some type of learning environment, huh?