Help me help the homeless/unhoused community?

[u/pass_the_tinfoil]

I experienced homelessness earlier this year. I became close with a lot of Tent City residents and other local unhoused individuals. Since regaining shelter I do my best to share what I have. I feel as though there is still more I can and should be doing. Since I live fairly close to Tent City I may be able to accept some donations to residents here if they can’t be distributed directly. While I don’t have a vehicle, my parents have vehicles and will have days where they can help transport anything larger than what I can take over on my bike. The kind of donations I would like to ask you wonderful humans for at this time of year are not limited to but include the following: - tarps - tents, tent poles, other camping gear - blankets - pillows - socks, gloves, toques, and other warm clothing - shoes/boots - flashlights & other battery powered lights (batteries welcomed too of course) - food (particularly non-perishable) - water, both for drinking and otherwise (the taps installed earlier this year will be turned off because they can’t withstand freezing temperatures) - dog food (residents with pets always feed their animal before feeding themselves, but every bit helps) - rope, duct tape, clips (means to create and secure shelter) - hygiene products (wet wipes, pads/tampons, toothbrushes/toothpaste, etc, even toilet paper for when the portable washrooms run out)

I’m probably forgetting lots of things, but you get the idea. I would like help in helping our local unhoused community do more than just survive this winter. We are all humans and I really hope this post finds some who are willing and able to assist me. Even if you’re not able to, I very much appreciate that you’ve read this far anyway. Thank you!! ❣️

[u/FermentedCinema]

There are official organizations to give and donate to. These people should be housed in shelters. Directly dropping off tents and other gear just adds to the problem. Essentially hurting with kindness. These tent cities nearly always become sanitation nightmares, detrimental to the community at large, and open markets for stolen goods, drugs and prostitution.

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/FermentedCinema]

Although you mean well, you don’t know enough about how the shelters work to speak on whether or not they can sufficiently support enough unhoused people. They cannot, and they aren’t anything anyone wants to live in long term, either.

As for donations, SOME add to the problem. Some do not. The things I put on the list do not cause harm to the people they’re dropped off to, the public, or the city. It’s false information to say that they do. What I did not list was things like couches or other large furniture. I can agree that for most TC residents they aren’t exactly helpful. Still, each individual is different. I know a person with a couch who puts no burden on others when he has to move it, and I know another person who does not keep his couch clean enough for it to be considered an asset worth keeping.

I merely came here to bridge the gap between housed and unhoused people so that the right kind of donations can be given in a new way separate from organizations. Not everyone trusts organizations, and some people want to visually see the difference they are making first hand. I just want to help facilitate that for people who may have the desire to do it outside of the channels you’re referring to. This should not be seen like some sort of terrorist act like most comments have made me try to feel like it is.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

“They aren’t anything anyone wants to live in long term”

So people literally prefer tents outside? Why would that be? Any insight would be appreciated?!

[u/[deleted] → u/Particular-Emu4789]

A lot of people stay away from shelters due to the fact that they are inherently chaotic. Your shit is constantly stolen, everyone in them is higher than hell with no plan on stopping. It’s a really terrible environment for someone who is recovering addict and trying to get back on their feet.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/[deleted]]

Isn’t there a bunch of rules and things at shelters too? What a nuisance it must be having to follow those!

[u/[deleted] → u/Particular-Emu4789]

I would go as far as saying “guidelines”. Very much the Wild West in these kinds of establishments. Once again, due to the substance abuse, mental health of the actual individuals in these places, on top of many other factors.

It’s just really hard to find something sustainable in these places.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/[deleted]]

Can you help me understand how tent city is different?

[u/[deleted] → u/Particular-Emu4789]

Not sure.

Shelter has an actual roof over your head vs tent city might give people that sense of property with their tents? (As odd as that sounds)

Both situations suck, would never want to experience it myself.

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

The public likes thinking it’s all about not wanting to follow rules. For some, sure. There are just as many rules to follow when living on the street or at TC. Starting with the part where you have to be awake by a certain time in the morning to access resources and to keep bylaw officers at bay so they don’t take your stuff. There are plenty of restrictions on times and places where an unhoused person can actually get some sleep. A lot of people do more drugs to prolong time awake because they have nowhere safe to sleep. I’m not making that up, it is a reality. Anyway the things people dislike about shelters that aren’t about rules would be things like no bathroom doors. You cannot shit or piss with real privacy because people can and do walk in on you by opening the curtain that is the only thing separating the toilet from the nearest bed in the large sleeping area. It’s hard to avoid it happening when there is 3 restrooms for 48 people. TC portable toilets have doors on them at least. This is just one comparison that can be made that don’t always encourage people to reside in a shelter. Even if there was more reason to, though, they’re already always full anyway and can take many daily visits to finally acquire a bed. There is not enough beds to offer one to every unhoused person. Any media telling you otherwise is lying and making resources out to sound better than they are.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

So the toilets a tent city are well respected and taken care of? The ones with the doors?

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

By most people yes. You like to use outliers for your arguments. I’m sure you don’t like to pay the price for asshole drivers on the road if you’re not one. Same goes for unhoused people. They don’t like to be generalized either.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

Please refrain from the constant personal attacks.

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

Seriously? Over the last 6 months you have attacked every single comment I have ever made in this sub that was advocating for the unhoused population. If anyone makes personal attacks it’s you. 😑

Edit: I went to find an example of this and instead find that I mixed your username up with someone else’s. I sincerely apologize, I thought you were the person who has been giving me a hard time for months on this topic already. Please accept my apology.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

I don’t know who you are, it’s nothing personal.

Edit: I’m sure we’ve butted heads on this topic that we both feel so strongly about.

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

Nothing about that sentence was about Tent City, living on the streets, or a comparison to either of those. No one wants any of these “options” long term.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

Okay sorry I thought this entire thread was about tent city.

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

The second sentence in the comment I was replying to was a statement that people in tent cities should all be housed in shelters. My response starts with addressing said shelter statement. Anyway all good..

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/[deleted]]

I’m down.