A new approach to homelessness
From The Greater Wilmington Business Journal:
In downtown Wilmington there will be a new way to give to the homeless beginning July 22. Yellow “Make A Change” meters will dot 11 key locations such as the main post office and the public library, where the public can deposit change to support programs that provide housing to homeless people. About 1,200 homeless people live in the Greater Wilmington area according to estimates by Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The yellow meters which are recycled parking meters are part of “The 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.” The campaign is led by a consortium of service providers, city and county administrators, business leaders, educators, representatives from civic and professional organizations, and homeless individuals. To fulfill the plan’s mission of ending the cycle of homelessness, the consortium has laid out a comprehensive set of actions that include training outreach workers and creating a homeless information center. The 10 year plan is in its first year of implementation, said Brandi Tanger, the plan’s project assistant.
“Generally when you give money to a panhandler you’re just perpetuating the cycle of homelessness,” Tanger said. Alternatively, the plan will donate 100 percent of the coin donations to homeless service providers, Tanger said.
Organizers looked at cities such as Asheville, Denver, and Athens, Georgia which implemented similar street donation programs. The installation of these meters resulted in the reduction of panhandling by greater than an 80% while boosting funds for programs that help the homeless, said John Hinnant, Wilmington Downtown Inc.
“In the grand scheme of things for the shoppers and business owners, if this does what we think it will do, it will significantly reduce panhandling and create a better atmosphere for visitors downtown,” Hinnant said.
On each meter will be a list of local organizations that provide resources within the downtown Wilmington area for homeless people. “The main purpose of the meters is to educate the public about the resources in the immediate area,” Tanger said.
It also gives the generous an alternate way to give. “It provides the public the ability to say ‘no’ (to panhandlers) without a guilty conscience,” Hinnant said.
Nice, Ranald. Really glad you posted this. Been hearing about these yellow machines but not seeing them yet. Seems like a good (novel?) approach to pan-handling, though honestly I don’t think the problem is that severe in Wilmington.
I also like what seem like improvements to GWBJ’s stuff, especially their online presence.
Reply
This is good news! I’m sure that Brandi Tanger is much more informed than I am on this subject but I am hesitant to discourage a handout to the person directly when intuitively you feel they need it right away. (“Generally when you give money to a panhandler you’re just perpetuating the cycle of homelessness,” Tanger said.)
I say intuitively because we’ve all seen people asking for a handout that make us question their sincerity and many of us have looked into the eyes of a beggar that leaves no doubt of their need. I will definitely contribute my change to this cause…and slip a few bucks now and then to a friend in need. So happy to have this project in place here.
Reply
This is good and bad, I think. First, if the number of homeless is correct (1,200) then a way of funding food and medical programs, shelters, and clothing distributors to the homeless is a great idea. Unfortunately, many of the truly needy and homeless will not be helped. They fall through the cracks. You may see them panhandling, but rarely will they take direct advantage of funded programs. They have psychological, physical, and spiritual problems, that will require something more than a generous donation to fix.
This is a good step forward. But let us all not forget that the real work will always be in the trenches. Funding our law enforcement officers and training them to recognize and help the hidden homeless would be a more effective measure, IMHO. They see them, and are in a better position to help them, without causing embarrassment or humiliation.
Just my $0.02 .
Reply
Nice. I know little about this project other than what’s written here, but any initiative that Wilmington, NC takes towards supporting programs that promote social justice seems like a step in the right direction.
To address what Michael says about further help needed, yes. Public mental health services are necessary. (Thank Ronald Reagan for pulling that one from us). Maybe along with universal health care, mental health care can be brought back to the table for discussion.
Reply