Homeless dude help ?

RT · #1 05-08-2003, 03:39 AM

Hey Fellow INA forum dudes and dutes

RT here again wanting your thoughts on a subject that is tugging at my heart at the moment.

Our (Casey & I) best friend Matt is a social worker and helps homeless kids get back on the right track, either find them a home or helping them get back to school for a better education leading to a job that will help them get a roof over there head.

Last week Matt asked me to talk to a young dude because he (Matt) was having hassles convincing him that anyone with the right atitude can do anything they set there mind too. I'm at university now but after a lot of hard work, I'm not the smartest kid on the block, unlike my twin bro Casey, hence Matt asking me to talk to this young dude.

This dude wants to be a vet but he is homeless, at no fault of his ow. I talked to this dude for a few hours and convinced him that he wasn't stupid and if he has his heart set on being a vet I would help him.

Do you think I'm doing the wrong thing helping a homeless kid get back to school and helping him get into university?

Matt and I promised him all the help he needed, as in help with school.

RT

RT · #2 05-08-2003, 03:39 AM

Hey Fellow INA forum dudes and dutes

RT here again wanting your thoughts on a subject that is tugging at my heart at the moment.

Our (Casey & I) best friend Matt is a social worker and helps homeless kids get back on the right track, either find them a home or helping them get back to school for a better education leading to a job that will help them get a roof over there head.

Last week Matt asked me to talk to a young dude because he (Matt) was having hassles convincing him that anyone with the right atitude can do anything they set there mind too. I'm at university now but after a lot of hard work, I'm not the smartest kid on the block, unlike my twin bro Casey, hence Matt asking me to talk to this young dude.

This dude wants to be a vet but he is homeless, at no fault of his ow. I talked to this dude for a few hours and convinced him that he wasn't stupid and if he has his heart set on being a vet I would help him.

Do you think I'm doing the wrong thing helping a homeless kid get back to school and helping him get into university?

Matt and I promised him all the help he needed, as in help with school.

RT

stevenf64 · #3 05-08-2003, 04:01 AM

thats what we are all here for. I know most people have gotten away from it but we were put here to help our fellow man. good luck and I hope everything will work out.
[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I am sure the last comment will p*** people off but, GOD will bless us when we help even the least of us. to all the people who might pm or email me upset about that comment dont waste your time. I do believe in GOD, if you dont thats your bisness not mine. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] steve

hw · #4 05-08-2003, 05:07 AM

RT....Please help this kid as much as you can. I believe that it all comes back to you in one way or another. You do good for someone and your payback is 10 times. My favorite saying is: "What goes around, comes around".
In this crazy world, we need more people like you willing to go the extra mile to help someone in need. So do all you can to help this "dude", and you too will be helped in some way.
Stevenf64...I agree.
Have a great day... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

shãybare · #5 05-08-2003, 08:05 AM

RT, friends in life are few and far between. It sounds like you would make a good friend. Apparently, Matt has alot of trust in you to help this individual. Only you, however, can decide if you will be able to put the time and finances into this situation.
It sounds to me like you are the person for the job at hand so start slow and just go from there.

Forever Nude,
Shaybare [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Rik · #6 05-08-2003, 08:39 AM

The important thing is to help him help himself.

Rik

nudist_in_Tn · #7 05-08-2003, 09:56 AM

OK here is my 2 cents worth, most of the homeless people I have encountered are dealing with alcohol and or drug addiction(s),until this problem is dealt with by the suffering individual wanting to get clean and sober there is not much any of us can do to help them, I know this may sound cruel and heartless but in most cases money that is given them only goes to feed their addiction, there are homeless shelters and treatment centers that are equipted to deal with these sort of situations. I like the old proverb that says give a man a fish and feed him for a day but teach a man how to fish and feed him for a lifetime. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

CalgaryMark · #8 05-08-2003, 11:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by RT:
[qb]
I talked to this dude for a few hours and convinced him that he wasn't stupid and if he has his heart set on being a vet I would help him.

Do you think I'm doing the wrong thing helping a homeless kid get back to school and helping him get into university?

Matt and I promised him all the help he needed, as in help with school.

RT[/qb]

RT, I'm with the many who say go for it! You could win a friend for life, and have the satisfaction of seeing someone over the hump and on to success. However, based on some bitter experience. . .

Don't lend money that you can't afford to give away;

Be prepared to be disappointed when (if!) it doesn't work out the way you wanted;

Risk it! 'Behold the turtle - he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.' Of course, sticking your neck out makes it easier to chop. . .

CalgaryMark

#9 05-08-2003, 12:32 PM

Without knowing the person in question, it's impossible to advise. I've helped people before who just took advantage of me. I've helped people who called me a sucker for doing it. I've helped people who took all I had to give them and didn't even give me a bit of gratitude. I don't ask for much in return--just a Thank You will do.

Is this kid interested in helping himself, or is he just looking for a hand-out? Why is he homeless? I'm sure there are people who are homeless through no fault of their own because of circumstances beyond their control, but too often it's because of an alcohol or drug problem which they have no desire to conquer.

It's never wrong to help someone who wants help and wants to help him/herself. It's a waste of time trying to help someone who isn't interested in helping him/herself.

AussieBeachBoy · #10 05-08-2003, 05:20 PM

Hey RT,

I certainly don't think it's the "wrong thing". However, for both your sake and that of the homeless guy, you need to approach the task with a realistic attitude.

From his point of view, he probably deserves support and encouragement, but don't promise him too much - don't promise him things that can't be delivered. I personally don't believe that "anyone with the right attitude can do anything they set their mind to" - rather I believe that people have individual strengths and weaknesses and if they work at harnessing and focussing their strengths they can fulfil their potential. For instance, I am not a gifted runner and so would have no hope of winning an Olympic gold medal for sprinting - I don't have the ability or physique necessary, no matter how determined my attitude was. But I've done OK in my chosen profession because it's one that demands skills I'm good at.

From your point of view - as some have said above, sometimes such good deeds pay off, and sometimes they don't. I know someone who "mentored" a young person with deep personal problems for some time but despite the best efforts of her and the social worker things didn't end up paying off. All she can say is - she tried to help, but things didn't quite work out.

Rather than telling him he is definitely going to become a vet, I would take him along to a careers guidance counsellor and determine his aptitudes and his likelihood of succeeding as a vet. It's a goal worth trying for, but if his talents lie elsewhere he may need assistance.

If Matt does this sort of thing professionally he probably knows a lot more about it than me, though, so you should probably be guided first and foremost by him. As a mate, he probably wouldn't be getting you into anything he thought was a bad idea.