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Post by evaryman on Dec 14, 2013 12:44:24 GMT -6
We've only lived in Streator for 11&1/2 years, but we have been aware of and attempting to help with the homeless problem, since our arrival. On one particular occasion, when the individual was clearly in need of a place to rest and get out of the elements, the police were more than kind and the individual would have no part of any homeless shelter. The offer to drive him to Ottawa was made, but there was a resounding NO. This persons personal right to decide his life was in no way infringed upon, the police accepted his choice. We managed to get safe, clean housing for 3 days. At the end of that time, we had problems, problems that the management had been worried about when we brought him there to stay. There were places where, due to the history of this man and others in similar circumstances, the management would not welcome them to stay, even with our being the responsible party. We resolved the problems in this particular situation and the individual went on his way and his way of life. We've been involved with homeless shelters for over 25 years in 3 places, and the stories are varied, but when individuals want to stay in the town where they have always lived, that has to be respected, and as far as I know it is respected. People are taken to shelters in other towns only when they are agreeable to going. Many want to be provided housing in the town of their choice, and although there have been extenuating circumstances that have forced our hand and we've provided that housing, we are simply not blessed enough to afford such housing on a regular basis. Some of the expectations of needy and troubled people are simply NOT doable for us, and most other people like our selves. I just had a conversation, on Thursday, with a worker at the Ottawa shelter and they have a good amount of basic supplies but they are in need of styrofoam cups (and yes, I know those are bad for the environment, I got that sermon from Mr.R.,but it's what they need) and paper bowls for cereal and soup. If you are interested in helping with the needs of the homeless in our town, that is the shelter where most of the locals seem find help.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2013 14:13:39 GMT -6
I don't believe not enough volunteers is why they closed the shelter down. This city gov't seems it puts a bad image on this city having a shelter here. And it is easier to kick these people out of town then to house them in a shelter here. I know 3 people that are homeless,and our pd got rid of them booting them over to Ottawa homeless shelter. This happened when the shelter was open here. Instead of taking them to our shelter at the time,they just booted them out of town over to ottawas shelter. As far as I am concerned,our city gov't doesn't want homeless people running around our city. And you are surprised at this how? In my honest opinion, in order to have things, here, in Streator, us citizen have to keep shoving and pushing until we have what is needed. That is including having work in this town, or a homeless shelter, ect. ect. ect. There is more than plenty of helping hands and good people in this town, and the government of this city actually needs to wake up and smell the roses. A homeless/soup place is needed in this town and in other towns, also. But as far as having a homeless shelter in this town, there should be one but not in part of the town where the traffic is so busy so it would not give a what you would call a "bad image". For example, where Tuscaura place was at, maybe use the building that was their office. Or even St. Casmir's church.
I've lived in Streator for 17 years, myself. I have notice what you have stated about the government not wanting what they believe would give Streator a "bad image". But they also need to realize to, that their is a need to help their own people, even if it means to help the homeless or close to be homeless.
But the funny thing is, at Town and Country Motel, there are a few people there that are out of town people, that La Salle County has bought here. One couple is from Marseilles, one person( whom is on the sex offenders list) and son is from Aurora. Another guy was bought from Marseilles, by LaSalle County. So it is not just Streator that is pushing low income/almost homeless/homeless people out of their town.
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Post by capncrunch on Dec 14, 2013 18:47:06 GMT -6
All I know is that people, no matter what should help each other out. So in my opinion there should be a homeless shelter.
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Post by rocket on Dec 15, 2013 7:32:29 GMT -6
Yes we need a shelter here for these people,but I disagree of placing it in a residential neighborhood. It needs to be downtown where it always been in past. downtown is centrally located,and I don't think people want a homeless shelter in their back yard "residential neighborhood".
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Post by chevypower on Dec 15, 2013 11:23:04 GMT -6
I agree with you Rocket, however, just having a Homeless shelter period is nice and very thoughtful for the ones who really need one.
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Post by evaryman on Dec 15, 2013 15:45:36 GMT -6
I feel certain that the four posters just prior to this post are all very kind and generous people, and very well intentioned. I say this honestly, as I haven't any reason to believe otherwise, but I feel that you may not realize the immense cost of providing shelter to the homeless population. We are a town that is unable maintain some of the services that many of our citizens feel are basic for any town to provide. And the stories, that have been recounted on this thread, of the local homeless populations not wanting to accept the services of a shelter, all seem to be true to me. They are very much in line with my own past experience, with the homeless from many places, and as I pointed out in an earlier post, with the local homeless folks.
In a perfect world where we had more funds than we knew what to do with, maintaining a "just in case one day, it may be needed" facility would be just fine. But, we are not in such a circumstance. We, as a town, are much like the people you are suggesting we provide help for, we are, as is often said, tapped out. To have shelters that are willing to share with our people and provide for the occasional person seeking shelter, is a great blessing, and I am thankful for all of the towns nearby that take our needy and do for them what we simply are unable to afford.
We can, as concerned citizens, offer to help with supplies, monies, and our all important time, for although they have funding for one staff person per shift, one person CANNOT handle the work alone, there have to be volunteers to keep the work done. And believe me the work is way more than you might ever imagine, unless you have spent time helping in a shelter and have dealt with the daily demands to maintain a healthy and safe environment for the clients.
Our town Fathers may have made some less than best decisions in past, according to some, but I feel that they are trying to keep our town afloat and with present circumstances that isn't an easy task. We pay a great deal in the way of taxes to live here, and I personally don't want to see our burden increased. We need our young families and they are all struggling under the tax burden they have already, and to add to that burden simply seems wrong to me. So, I'm comfortable with helping the other local towns that have shelters, and maybe one day one of us will see "our ship come in", and we can then provide whatever charities our little town needs,-)
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Post by itsonlyme on Dec 15, 2013 20:37:52 GMT -6
Are there any actual numbers or estimates as to how many homeless people we have in Streator?
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Post by dive61364 on Dec 15, 2013 21:25:03 GMT -6
it`s hard to get actual numbers or estimates when most of these people move from one spot to the next to live. I have seen at least 4 different individuals and two families living along the river during the summer.
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Post by capncrunch on Dec 15, 2013 23:17:30 GMT -6
Dive is right. It is hard to estimate. Due to different circumstances. I know at least six families that are living in a motel here in town. Including my family. My family is the lucky one out of the six. We will be in my house this week that my wife has inheritated, That we was just waiting for the house to be remodeled. But the other families, I'm not so sure what their future holds for them.(not looking too good for them). You just never know what the future will hold for any of us.
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