Photo credit: WWJ/Rom Dewey

With apologies to Stephen Colbert:

Let’s start off with the awesome news.  A tip of my hat to Cass Community Social Services, who opened a green gym in Detroit this week, the first of its kind, for the exclusive use of the city’s homeless individuals.

Detroit unemployment is at an all-time high – about 29% – and has 18,000 homeless people.  One of the great things about this gym is that it’s eco-friendly and serves several different purposes.  For one thing, many people often forget that homeless does not necessarily equal “starving”.  Instead, many homeless people gain a ton of weight due to living on cheap, crappy food (*raises hand* I’ve experienced this – homelessness has not been kind to my waistline, people!  I’m desperately working on getting healthy and slimming down a bit!)  The gym provides an outlet for homeless individuals to get the exercise they need, thereby increasing the odds of preventing obesity and other health issues that plague the homeless.

The article also mentions that as the workout machines are used, they produce energy that is then redirected into the building’s power grid.  Homeless gym bunnies, while getting into shape, can in a single exercise class generate enough electricity to light 36 homes for a month.

The gym also creates Detroit jobs, and employs homeless men and women, many of whom have mental disabilities and may not otherwise be able to find a legitimate job.

Besides that, you probably already know that gyms are great for homeless people who need to shower – keeping clean is a big concern – as well as just maybe having somewhere to go on a cold day and keep warm.  A homeless gym provides a way to keep occupied and focused for a period of time, relieves much of the boredom of being homeless, and perhaps even provides a little feeling of luxury that many homeless shelters are lacking.  Never underestimate the little luxuries.  They can be what makes homelessness bearable.

So kudos to Cass Community Social Services for their work in creating jobs and workout options for homeless men and women, and for helping the environment while you’re at it!

* * * * *

Photo Credit: Worcester News

And now, the dreaded wag of my finger. And I bet you can guess which finger I’m wagging at these self-righteous NIMBY’s (Eff you, ya pompous arseholes!)

I’m actually in England right now, and have found the English to be amazing people, and have noticed that their government has, in many areas including their handling of homelessness, significant advantages over our own (*braces for the “traitor!!!!!” comments* – Come on, guys, you know I love America and all!)

Still, it only takes a few rotten eggs to screw things up.  Or in this case, for 100+ rotten eggs to screw things up for seven homeless youth.

So this bunch of douchebags on one street in Worcester have decided to protest because the city council just approved a seven-bedroom home to be used to house homeless individuals from the age of 16-25 years old.  The council assured residents that “Nobody who has trouble with drugs, alcohol or a record of bad behaviour will be part of the project. That kind of person is dealt with at intensely supported accomodation, places like the YMCA, and in other parts of the county.”

Did this appease the harpies of Cannon Street, Worcester?

Nope.

In fact, they’ve gone on and on about the “underhanded” project, which is still in its very early stages, and even posed for a photo in the Worcester News, displaying their little children as though they were in need of protection from homeless youth.  Take a look at the photo.  I think this Rachel Needham bitch must be the ringleader, as she’s in the foreground.

I think the comments on this article can say far more than I can on this case, actually.  Usually, I am saddened to see homeless bashing and stereotyping in the comments section of any news article on homelessness that I read.  I was heartened, though, to see that the comments on the Worcester News article were uniformly against these NIMBY dimwits and squarely in the corner of the homeless kids.  God, I love the English:

“Surely if this house is for the homeless they won’t be homeless anymore, so the home won’t be a home for the homeless. It sounds very much like the many homes around the city which have been converted to house students. NIMBYs come to mind. I await the residents (and others) of Cannon Street to open fire at me”

“You can always tell when people are angry because they have their arms folded in the photo. Nothing but a load of Nimbys”

“Anyone could have bought that house and rented it to young people as a private landlord – why should there be any consultation? There but for the grace of God could go any of us in this present economic climate. And I would guess that if you’ve been homeless once then you won’t want to do anything to repeat the experience. What a bunch of selfish and arrogant so-and-so’s they are”

“These are the kind of people who will put money in an envelope for Shelter or Help the Homeless charities, but given a chance to help 7 real people, they turn their backs. Some of them probably even call themselves Christians. Look at the children in that photograph, displayed as though they need to be protected from these heinous homeless young people. Truth be told, one of those children (or even more) could end up homeless and in need of help by the time they are in their teens”

“I absolutley agree it’s to support independent living so not necessarily homeless people living there, you don’t get consulted about any one else who moves in or out so why should they now? How arrogant that these people have stereotyped every single homeless person. As it’s been said before it can happen to any one maybe they should remember that!”

“It would break your heart to hear some of the stories as to why they are homeless! Mostly family breakdowns, which is incredibly sad… the kids need love and support not prejudice and small mindedness!”

I repeat:  I love the English!  They’re even adorable when they’re telling off a bunch of hypocritical arseclowns.

* * * * *

By the way, yes, I’m going to be trying to blog more – daily if possible!  I used to be so good about it; then life ‘n stuff just started to snowball and I slowed down a bit.  I’m back on it though, I swear!