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Homeless group plans march to council meeting

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

(Updated 2:29 pm)

By Sonja Elmquist
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — A group of homeless people is planning to march to tonight’s City Council meeting and use the meeting’s public comment time to encourage the council to continue to fund services that benefit the homeless.

“Traditionally, it’s agencies who speak out to city council, but it's the people who are affected who have the biggest stake in it,” said Liz Seymour, an advocate for the homeles who played a role in organizing the march.

The group will gather at 3 p.m. at the corner of Lee and Eugene streets, a well-known gathering point for homeless people. The group will walk up Eugene Street to Market Street and then to city hall.

“We just need to march through the streets of Greensboro and let people know how many of us there are and how difficult it is to be homeless,” Seymour said.

The city is in the midst of creating next year’s budget. Interim City Manager Bob Morgan has proposed cuts to several city departments in an effort to balance the budget.

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MyTwoCents

April 21, 2009 - 3:32 pm EDT

Maybe I'm missing something? Why are these people "homeless"? There is public assistance available to those who qualify - and although far too many abuse the assistance - it would seem to me that if you're "homeless", you'd qualify for welfare pretty quick. There are programs to help people find housing, pay for it - pay for food, clothing, medical care....I just don't get the whole "homeless" thing.

I become thoroughly disgusted when I see someone who appears to be able bodied just standing on the side of the road with a stupid cardboard sign begging for money. If I were so destitute, I would either FIND a job, ANY job - or I would go apply for assistance with the proper agencies.

So, I just don't "get" the whole homeless gig.

connieohyeah

April 21, 2009 - 4:16 pm EDT

Thank you, minimum wage laws!

connieohyeah

April 21, 2009 - 7:26 pm EDT

**Please don't miss the sarcasm in this statement.

kikablue

April 21, 2009 - 6:47 pm EDT

Well MyTwoCents Worth, that was worth about 1/2 a cent. I see you are lucky enough to have never been homeless. Why don't the homeless get a job (1) that's racist. (2) why don't all the people that have lost their jobs get a job. (3) because jobs are not that easy to find. And even harder when you're homeless.

They can not go on welfare, unless they have children. The ones the system help is few and far in between. Medical help isn't that easy either. If you're homeless the D.S.S. will give you I believe it's $140.00 a month an E.B.T. card. You CAN NOT buy anything from any grocery store that is HOT FOOD, you can buy all other foods.

I agree that some are homeless by choice, but a very few. Remember what the Bible says, AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER? Yes we all are. A lot of people right now are on the brink of being homeless, people are a pay check away from being homeless. Don't ever believe it can't happen to you, it can, and may. In case you and a lot of other people don't realize, UNLESS your are paying for a place to live in your (own) name you are considered HOMELESS.
When you look down your nose at the homeless you are doing the same to JESUS. He had no home of his own, he lived off the land and with friends, and walked everywhere. The homeless are God's children just as you are. Whether you like it or not. Condemn not lest ye be condemned also.

connieohyeah

April 21, 2009 - 7:30 pm EDT

You can't play the racist card on '2Cents.' That claim gets thrown around way too easily in situations that it just doesn't apply to. Nothing '2cents' said could be construed as racist. In my opinion, you calling that comment racist is racism itself. You had to assume many, many things in order to draw that conclusion.

MyTwoCents

April 22, 2009 - 8:44 am EDT

Well, well - how some incredibly ignorant people jump to conclusions - and those who do so are more often than not - wrong.

No, I've never had the misfortune of being homeless - I've come close a couple of times, but would most certainly taken advantage of the countless opportunities out there. I believe you are DEAD wrong in saying that welfare is only available to those who have children - in fact, I KNOW you're wrong because I've known people who collected while they needed it.

As for the whole "my brothers keeper" - NICE TRY. There are literally hundreds of charitable organizations willing to help - far too many to list. There's your "keeper". I make regular donations to help those in need, which is why I take exception when I see beggars. Furthermore, from personal experience - I say most of these "homeless" people are drunks or drug addicts looking for their next high.

If illegal immigrants can find jobs - why would it be so hard for the "homeless"? There are jobs out there - these people find it much easier to sit on a street corner and beg - they have NO shame....if they were truly legit, and truly WANTED to work for a living - at least they could write something like - "willing to work for food" on their half assed cardboard signs! Instead, I see a clown in front of McDonalds on High Point Rd with a sign that says - "visions of a cheeseburger" - then he takes his last handout, I see him go throw the sign in the back of his car and speed off.

Nice scam, if you can deal with the shame...which apparently, they can.