Friday, March 7, 2014

Sticking It To Allentown's Homeless?

According to Colin McEvoy's article written yesterday for 'The Express-Times' .. "The Allentown Fire Department conducted an inspection of the Safe Haven homeless shelter today (Thursday, March 6, 2014) in response to a complaint about poor living conditions and a lack of space...

The complaint was filed by Diane Teti, a vocal advocate for Allentown's homeless, who has repeatedly called for Safe Haven to be closed...

Teti, who has continued to push the city for a more permanent solution, has said Safe Haven should be closed so the other locations will be better utilized, and so that new shelters will also be created...

Teti also stressed she did not file the complaint out of spite or to harass Safe Haven, but out of concern for the welfare of the homeless being served there."


COMMENTARY
If 'Safe Haven' were forced to shut down, what other locations are there currently that can provide for the number required or the hours available overnight without the prerequisites some of the others require before be allowed to stay?
     There aren't.

How would kicking the rug out from under 'Safe Haven' in any way compel others to step in?
     It doesn't.

I have a problem with so-called advocates who point their fingers at those who are trying to make the attempt even if conditions aren't ideal. This is like having a crappy old car and one deliberately scraps it without having a replacement. Then hoping somebody else will be forced to step in and provide for another one.

Some may criticize me for criticizing her because if I'm so worried about the homeless why don't I bring them home. Here's the difference. I'm not the one complaining to the City Fire Department, City Council and the media about these homeless organizations or the city's lack of response while self proclaiming myself to be a advocate.

Advocate-- Someone who supports a cause or pushes for a change in policy. That's all fine and dandy, but you know what's even more noble? When someone steps up to the plate and actually puts something into action, not just their intentions and words. Advocating for something is one thing. Actually getting something done when their own time, labor and wallet is on the line is entirely a separate matter.

Nothing personal. This is not a personal attack. There was simply no way other in talking about this without mentioning the players involved. This was not to single her out. I hold these same views when it comes to tenant groups animal groups and all the other "advocates" around here who complain.

Take for example the tenant group in Allentown that is complaining. Why not organize and get together with a bunch of other like-minded folks to the cause. Buy a couple of units if you don't like they way things are being done around here. Rent them out. Show us how it should be done. To the animal shelter group advocates. You too!

To they and those who are involved with the lack of homeless shelters I apply this in equal measure....





UPDATED
(10/07/2014)

WFMZ is reporting, "A homeless shelter that can accommodate at least 50 people will open in the middle of Allentown on Nov. 1"

2 comments:

  1. i agree with you that safe haven is an essential survival option at this point. i got a clue of the discord between teti and safe haven earlier in the week, and i'm disappointed that it developed into this current situation. both teti and safe haven have been instrumental in improving allentown's shelter inventory.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a good thing the weather is starting to warm up. It will give everyone several months to patch up their differences and hopefully the homeless will have better places to go next winter.

      Delete

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