Forty years ago I spent the majority of my “off” time from full-time work, and full-time seminary enrollment working for what was known then as the “Kansas City Rescue Mission”. (“The Mission”, hereafter).
The Mission provided beds and meals and respite for those who were homeless for any number of reasons… but, and this is where I found myself most uncomfortable, the hoops through which “residents” had to jump were incredible to me.
The Mission provided great service in a section of the city which was most dangerous at the time (and may still be- I don’t know , because…40 years have passed and demographics may have changed.)
The requirements were many and varied- too much to list here, except to say they were for the “safety of everyone”, including those of us managing The Mission. I understood that at the time- and was thankful for the over-arching concern, even if it was a requirement primarily set by attorneys and a board that didn’t want to be enmeshed in litigation should something happen to a resident or “caretaker”.
As I watched this- I wept. Plain and simple, Kevin… tears flowed.
She was obviously “wet” from her water breaking (something not mentioned by the officer), and was in such distress that even four weeks from full term- this should have been treated as a medical emergency, rather than “an illegal camping” citation situation.
I understand that the officer might have thought she could be faking her condition- something the EMS personnel could have cleared up for him BEFORE he wrote out his report and issued the citation— simple idiocy on his part.
One of the things that I noticed that may be missed by most viewers, is the amount of space… literally acres of space, that is going unused (officially) under those overpasses.
Think of the parking, clinic, and “rescue mission” and temporary housing space that could be made available to the homeless, if there was a backbone strong enough, found to advocate for it.
There is literally street access, obviously utilities available (water, sewer and electric) to support such entities. Why has nobody advocated for this? Why do we always see the problem… and no solutions?
This is “free” space. It’s just waiting, just sitting there begging to be used.
God help us. This has to change.
God, I am so angry… so must not say more. This isn’t about me, it’s about a young, new mother and God only knows how many others like her who have to live this daily- with no support, no care, no medical intervention or ongoing care- I would much rather my tax dollars go to help change this reality than to increase the salaries of our congressional representatives, or line the pockets of special interest groups.
DOGE could help with this, @ElonMusk and @VivekRamaswamy !
Sweet Jesus.
Forty years ago I spent the majority of my “off” time from full-time work, and full-time seminary enrollment working for what was known then as the “Kansas City Rescue Mission”. (“The Mission”, hereafter).
The Mission provided beds and meals and respite for those who were homeless for any number of reasons… but, and this is where I found myself most uncomfortable, the hoops through which “residents” had to jump were incredible to me.
The Mission provided great service in a section of the city which was most dangerous at the time (and may still be- I don’t know , because…40 years have passed and demographics may have changed.)
The requirements were many and varied- too much to list here, except to say they were for the “safety of everyone”, including those of us managing The Mission. I understood that at the time- and was thankful for the over-arching concern, even if it was a requirement primarily set by attorneys and a board that didn’t want to be enmeshed in litigation should something happen to a resident or “caretaker”.
As I watched this- I wept. Plain and simple, Kevin… tears flowed.
She was obviously “wet” from her water breaking (something not mentioned by the officer), and was in such distress that even four weeks from full term- this should have been treated as a medical emergency, rather than “an illegal camping” citation situation.
I understand that the officer might have thought she could be faking her condition- something the EMS personnel could have cleared up for him BEFORE he wrote out his report and issued the citation— simple idiocy on his part.
One of the things that I noticed that may be missed by most viewers, is the amount of space… literally acres of space, that is going unused (officially) under those overpasses.
Think of the parking, clinic, and “rescue mission” and temporary housing space that could be made available to the homeless, if there was a backbone strong enough, found to advocate for it.
There is literally street access, obviously utilities available (water, sewer and electric) to support such entities. Why has nobody advocated for this? Why do we always see the problem… and no solutions?
This is “free” space. It’s just waiting, just sitting there begging to be used.
God help us. This has to change.
God, I am so angry… so must not say more. This isn’t about me, it’s about a young, new mother and God only knows how many others like her who have to live this daily- with no support, no care, no medical intervention or ongoing care- I would much rather my tax dollars go to help change this reality than to increase the salaries of our congressional representatives, or line the pockets of special interest groups.
DOGE could help with this, @ElonMusk and @VivekRamaswamy !
evil. plain evil