Welcome to RCF - WHF

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

ONLY IN AMERICA

We have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti (or some other country) on 12 TV stations, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents, clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies. Imagine if we gave ourselves the same support that we give other countries. I feel bad for them, but I wonder who cares about America?

dontknow

Jaddon · Oct 12, 2005

I feel bad for them to, but it has always upset me how our government goes out of its way to help other countries but does nothing for its own starving, homeless and poverty people.

Katy · Sep 28, 2004

AMEN .AMEN Applause

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

Jaddon · Oct 12, 2005

They are VERY hard to get, RB when I left my abusive hubby with a 4 yr old and 1 yr old I left with only the clothes we had on. I had nothing, I went to the salvation army with an approved food voucher and they turned me away. Yes they turn me away because I did not have money to pay. Even though I was told that the voucher was good for free food, free winter jackets for both kids and some clothes for all of us.

I do admit the food prices where 50% cheaper then the market but the used clothes where about the same prices as bran new ones from Walmart maybe a few cents to a couple of bucks cheaper for some items but still. The food voucher was from the food stamp office since I had to wait 3 to 6 weeks for the application to go through.

If it was not for the Womens Battered Centers help I dont know what I would of done back then. I could not even stay with my family at the time cause the X was looking for me and was to dangerous. Laws did not protect us like they do today.

I see many different places collecting money for the homeless and hungry but I firmly believe that it does not go for them. When I was homeless I did not recieve any help.

The red cross even turned me away.

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

Well that's just plain wrong, Chrissy!! Crying or Very sad

Why does something like that happen? You're not the first person to tell me when they were desperate the only place that would help was some privately funded organization. I know there are government funded programs for people in crises, what happens? Mismanagement, red tape too many rules, unqualified workers ... ??

Chrissy, with food vouchers couldn't you have gone into any grocery store and used those vouchers? Did you have to use the Salvation Army? Man, my opinion of the Salvation Army sure had gone down! And that's a privately funded organization too.

Brick wall

mojo · Feb 03, 2007

yes that was wrong chrissy and i am sorry u had 2 go thru that!

Jaddon · Oct 12, 2005

thanks

but no need for sorry.

RB the voucher was only for the Salvation Army. I use to donate clothes and stuff to them never again after they way they treated me.

Even ended up getting denied for Food Stamps & medical INS - they wanted to see my past years taxes which made no sense to me it was my abusive X's income which I no longer had access to. On top of that the included child support payments that I was not even receiving.

I did end up with the Medical INS due to the help of the Batter Women's Center But no food stamps at that time. I did get some a few years later but only 6 bucks a mth which I never bothered to go back to renew it was not worth it after the lost of income from work to go.

Back then the only help I got was from the Batter Women's Center and my Church. Of course my family did what they could to help as well.

Since then I no longer donate to any other those fund raisers. When I can I only donate to animal shelters. LOL Or I give directly to familys in need for example like you and a few others did for me. A few years ago a family near by us lost everything including Christmas gifts due to a fire. I bought the kids some Santa gifts. Also when I am able I buy Christmas gifts for the kids who are in the BWC cause I know the kids are "really" getting them and no one is profiting from it other then the kids. Smile

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

Sounds like your giving/donations are well directed. Good for you Chrissy!

When I had occasions to deal with Human Resources (for the benifit of others) I was usually successful. You have to be persistent! And when all else seems to fail ask for a supervisor. It really pays sometimes to ask for a supervisor. It got easier as time went on and I think that was because they knew I wouldn't leave until I got some help for my "client". Too our County is rather generous in the emergency help it provides especially for women and children..

I also am sorry about your experience Chrissy, but then everything is a learning experience, right? They say that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I think I might have a quibble or two with that however. LOL

binky

Katy · Sep 28, 2004

RB is right ask for a supervisor when not getting proper response. But never go in to talk to these people without having an agenda and before you discuss anything introduce yourself and get the persons name that you are talking to .My son and DIlaw were turned downed several times by SS after he was no longer able to work due to MS. Even though they had all the medical papers. So I took a day off from work and went in with them After the introduction I questioned as to what other evidence was needed. She said I'll get back to you on this. I asked when and she said a few days. I said can you be a little more specific and she said on Wed. which came and went with no response. I called and left word on her voice mail to call me back today thursday. She did and said I am putting it thru now and you will get a noticifation that they have received it in a few days andan answer in less than a month. It went thru from this point with no trouble... I can just imagine the number of people who give up after the 1st attempt is shot down and don't go back. Another thing that works real well is a letter to the editor,,,