Blog #1, Post H: Woman of Chapter 2

Assignment: to discuss one of the women in Chapter 2 and why can't she get out of poverty.

The woman I chose to discuss is Debra Hall.   She is a 39 year old mother on welfare forced to work because the welfare reform act of 1996 imposed time limits to receive benefits and work requirements were enforced to either get a job or do job training.  Debra admitted that she had no real life skills and had dropped out of community college.  She was a teen mom at 18 years old who has been on welfare ever since.  Debra opted for job training and because she limited herself based on her comfort level of clothing, she chose warehouse work. In the program, Debra learned to type, operate the UPS shipping system and drove a forklift.  For the first time in her life, Debra felt motivated and felt part of the working force.  

Some of the reasons that she cannot escape poverty is because she lacks reliable transportation to get to work. Another being, that even though she has gained some basic work skills and forklift certification, there is no job openings where she can apply her skills.  Mostly men dominate warehouse positions.  Another reason is she is trapped in a low wage job in a bakery with no promotion/advancement opportunities.

While working at the bakery, her position was unstable, her hours were shifted, and she was put in machines with no proper training.  This caused her anxiety and stress.  Also, she didn't receive any support or advice when she inquired about trying to advance in her job.

In the end, Debra continued working in the bakery despite her minimum wage, no advancement opportunity, and work related stress. "Her fellow workers in the bakery were trapped in gloom.  Nothing there encouraged her",  her own employers warned her about staying too long in the job.

Shipler, D. (2005). The Working Poor: Invisible in America. New York: Vintage Books.

Blog #1, Post G: Shipler Chapter 1

Using Chapter 1, I am to discuss one of the many ways businesses use legal means to take advantage of poor people.

Chapter 1 discusses the legal business of tax preparers such as H & R Block,  who legally take advantage of the poor by misrepresenting their business tactics in 'helping' the poor.  "Tax time in poor neighborhoods is not April.  It is January."  I cannot lie, I can't wait till January 30th myself.  That is the date that employers are supposed to have mailed out your W-2's.  Our family usually receives the W-2's before the end of January and we run to our tax preparer.  We look forward to our Earned Income Tax Credit and most of the time it is spent before we actually get the deposit to our account.  Mostly we catch up on bills, splurge a little for ourselves and kids and replace whatever is broken in the house.  

Shipler uses H & R Block as an example but I think it is safe to say that their tactics are used nationwide by all tax preparers.  Tax preparers set up shop mostly in low-income neighborhoods, hire teenagers to dress up in costumes to remind the working class that it is that time of the year again. Time to file!  The problem Shipler highlights in this business is not that it is illegal to operate, but they fail to properly inform customers of their rights, and responsibilities.  They mask words like 'loan' to rapid refund.  I admit I was duped once myself.  Like those commercials on TV say "It's my money and I need it NOW".  I wanted my money now, and when they said "Did you know you can get a rapid refund in three days rather than waiting six to eight weeks for it?".  My response, sign me up now! I didn't care about the legal garble, all i understood was that i had a right to get my money soon rather than later.  It wasn't until I got home and stopped fantasizing about the shopping sprees, that I sat down and read what I signed up for.  They charged me an exaggerated loan rate, but I didn't sign up for a loan.  I went back the next day and asked for an explanation.  The word 'loan' magically appeared behind rapid refund.  I was so furious for being lied to, but they tried to comfort me by reminding me that my money would be there the next day.  After that tax year, I never signed up for a rapid refund, I rather have that extra $300 later in six weeks than not to have it all.  For the record, I've never waited more than 2 weeks to receive my tax refund.

Shipler discusses that people can do what these tax preparers  do as well, with a little time, patience, basic math skills and a calculator.  While I agree, most people like myself hate math, much less calculating something so risky like a tax refund.  Like 'Evon Johnson' in the chapter, I do not have the courage to do taxes myself in fear of being audited by the IRS, and I would rather pay someone else who knows what they are doing and have them be responsible for whatever mistake IRS finds.  

So these tax preparers take advantage of the poor by not being honest and upfront about their practices in phrasing and masking the words 'rapid refund'.  Even after Federal judges were involved and "ordered Block to stop using the misleading term 'rapid refund' in advertising loans", "Block continued with the ads by redefining 'rapid refunds' as a reference to electronic filing only."  After numerous class-action lawsuits were filed, "H & R Block agreed to a $25 million settlement without admitting any wrongdoing." 

Shipler, D. (2005). The Working Poor: Invisible in America. New York: Vintage Books.

Blog #1, Post F: Shipler Intro

Posts F, G, and H are my responses to questions our Professor assigned based on our readings from the book "The Working Poor" written by David K. Shipler.

 

The question to answer on this Post (F) is to discuss the components necessary to keep someone from ending up in poverty according to Shipler.

First, let's look at what Mr. Shipler has to say. On page 4 of the introduction section, Shipler states that "A set of skills, a good starting wage, and a job with the likelihood of promotion are prerequisites. But so are clarity of purpose, courageous self-esteem, a lack of substantial debt, the freedom from illness or addiction, a functional family, a network of upstanding friends, and the right help from private or governmental agencies."  

Shipler continues by stating that "Any gap in that array is an entry point for trouble, because being poor means being unprotected."  "With no cushion of money, no training in the ways of the wider world, and too little defense against the threats and temptations of decaying communities,a poor man or woman gets sacked again and again."  And then he caps it off by saying that "When an exception breaks this cycle of failure, it is called the fulfillment of the American Dream."

 I can't exactly count how many articles regarding poverty I have poured over in the last weeks, they all paint a fairly accurate description of what life is like for the poor.  The average American can't be blinded by our surroundings out in the real world;  poverty is everywhere, especially in a big city like Chicago.  What many articles fail to suggest is ideas or thoughts as to combat the problem.  Seems to me, we think that the problem is out of our hands and too big to conquer.  We are told that we can do something about it, donate, volunteer, write a stern letter to your local officials, etc, etc.  Is this enough? No. Personally, these are band-aid solutions, and I agree, it's better than doing nothing at all.  But like a sickness that plagues us, we have to understand why it is that this happens.  What is the root of the problem, what are some preventive measures.  We can suggest and suggest solutions till we turn blue, the problem is most of the time, our suggestions like Shipler's fall unto deaf ears.  If people are unwilling, too lazy to change and not better themselves, then all this hard work is for nothing.

Back to Shipler's components,  are they realistic?  I think so, and looking back through my own life when I was dirt poor, I can see how it would have helped my situation way back when.  First, people do need a good set of skills, at the very least basic skills to get a decent job.  A good set of skills would be better though, because then you aren't limited to just a decent job, you'd have more options.  With that better job, you'd expect to make a better starting wage.  A good wage makes a world of a difference than the meager minimum-wage Illinois has to offer.  Though from my readings, Illinois has the highest level of minimum wage in the mid-western states, but the cost of living in Chicago is higher than our neighbors.  Now that we have a decent better paying job, it would help to be able to have something to look forward to, like a promotion or advancement opportunities within the company or applying those newly learned skills to find a better job.  This all makes sense.  The reality is those decent jobs are a handful, because they require some sort of higher education degree or certificate.

What I like about Shipler, is that he goes a little further, he's trying to expose the root of the problem.  You can have all those blessings, as I like to call them, but if you don't have your mind right, if you don't want better for yourself,  and lack a "clarity of purpose", than you'll fall back into the trap.  What I mean about 'getting your mind right' is this, one has to acknowledge the predicament they are in, be willing to do something about it, and restructuring their priorities to get to that fabled 'American Dream'.  It is ultimately the choices that we make that get us to where we are at.  Obviously no one chooses to be poor, cause if they did, their mind isn't right, right? 

In a perfect world, we all would have minimal debt, be super healthy with no addictions, a functional family and a network of upstanding friends who want the best for us.  I'm not saying these goals are not attainable, but are there people who live like this?  If so, I would like to meet them and live a day in their world.

Shipler, D. (2005). The Working Poor: Invisible in America. New York: Vintage Books.

Blog #1, Post C: Poverty Level in Illinois Regarding Housing in Chicago

Housing and homelessness go hand in hand.  Without proper housing options including rental property, subsidized housing and shelters; people, alone or with families will be homeless.  According to a "study by the Social IMPACT Research Center of Chicago’s Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, 1 in 3 people in Illinois" live in or near poverty, which includes 1 out of every 5 children.  Unfortunately those numbers are predicted to continue to rise.  The current poverty rate is at "33% and that figure is up from 25 percent of Illinoisans who lived in or near poverty in 2000. In 1990, it was 27%; in 1980, 26%". (1)

Homelessness has always been an issue in every major city in America, but since the economic turn-down that started in 2008, the numbers of homeless continue to steadily increase.  As people started loosing their homes, and statewide budget cuts eliminated funding to the Department of Human Services and organizations that aid the homeless, more and more people with families have been out in the street. In Chicago, the problem worsened among those already living in poverty when Mayor Daley & Mayor Emanuel decided to revamp public housing in an effort to beautify the city and reduce crime in poverty ridden neighborhoods.  "Since the mid-’90s, when cities across the country began systematically tearing down their high-rise housing projects, more than 150,000 units of public housing have been lost."  Here in Chicago, the city tore down the Cabrini Green projects, Robert Taylor homes, and various other public housing.  Most of the people were given section 8 housing vouchers, while others were kicked out the program and were forced to either move in with friends or relatives or end up in the street.  (2)

Funding for shelters have also decreased.  According to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, "since 2012, Chicago reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 beds the city reported in 2011". The problem spreads across the state of Illinois with about "48,000 people utilizing state funded shelters each year". (3)  

How do we solve the homelessness problem when families are removed from their homes and banks are not willing to negotiate fair repayment options for their loans? Where are those who are already in public housing and have their homes demolished supposed to go? What are the options for those who depend on shelter beds if they are decreasing each year, and have no family support, no government support, and are already living in the street?  We all can acknowledge that there is a problem, the question is are we doing enough to fix it.  Our government is already cash strapped for other human service needs and they can only do so much with what they have, while many buildings, apartments and houses continue to be boarded up and unused.  I am not pretending to have an answer, or even a suggestion, but we cannot continue to turn blindly and ignore the problem in hopes of it fixing itself.  It is not until we or someone who is close to us, is in that predicament that we feel compelled to do something.

  (1)  Ihejirika, M.  (1.15.2013). 1 in 3 Illinoisans lives in or near poverty level: Report.  The Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved from http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/17597167-418/1-in-3-illinoisans-lives-in-or-near-poverty-level-report.html. 

(2)  Austen, B. (5.29.2013) The Death and Life of Chicago.  The New York Times.  Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/magazine/how-chicagos-housing-crisis-ignited-a-new-form-of-activism.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

(3)  2013. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. FAQ/Studies. Retrieved from http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/

In 2012, Chicago also reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 the city reported in 2011. It also reported 3,421 transitional housing beds, up 46% from 2,334 in 2011, and 9,377 permanent supportive housing slots, up 3% from 9,109 slots reported a year earlier. - See more at: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/#sthash.nQdjl9vs.dpuf

In 2012, Chicago also reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 the city reported in 2011. It also reported 3,421 transitional housing beds, up 46% from 2,334 in 2011, and 9,377 permanent supportive housing slots, up 3% from 9,109 slots reported a year earlier. - See more at: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/#sthash.nQdjl9vs.dpuf

In 2012, Chicago also reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 the city reported in 2011. It also reported 3,421 transitional housing beds, up 46% from 2,334 in 2011, and 9,377 permanent supportive housing slots, up 3% from 9,109 slots reported a year earlier. - See more at: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/#sthash.nQdjl9vs.dpuf

In 2012, Chicago also reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 the city reported in 2011. It also reported 3,421 transitional housing beds, up 46% from 2,334 in 2011, and 9,377 permanent supportive housing slots, up 3% from 9,109 slots reported a year earlier. - See more at: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/#sthash.nQdjl9vs.dpuf

In 2012, Chicago also reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 the city reported in 2011. It also reported 3,421 transitional housing beds, up 46% from 2,334 in 2011, and 9,377 permanent supportive housing slots, up 3% from 9,109 slots reported a year earlier. - See more at: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/#sthash.nQdjl9vs.dpuf

In 2012, Chicago also reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 the city reported in 2011. It also reported 3,421 transitional housing beds, up 46% from 2,334 in 2011, and 9,377 permanent supportive housing slots, up 3% from 9,109 slots reported a year earlier. - See more at: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/#sthash.nQdjl9vs.dpuf

In 2012, Chicago also reported having 1,329 emergency shelter beds available, down 44% from the 2,379 the city reported in 2011. It also reported 3,421 transitional housing beds, up 46% from 2,334 in 2011, and 9,377 permanent supportive housing slots, up 3% from 9,109 slots reported a year earlier. - See more at: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/faq-studies/#sthash.nQdjl9vs.dpuf

Blog #1, Post I: Spending the Night on Skid Row Los Angeles

The video below is a short 10 minute clip of a Christian group from Enoch Magazine who decide to spend the night on 'Skid Row' in Los Angeles.  Though they don't actually sleep to spend the night, they interact with the people and fellowship with them and share the word of God.  They also hand out food and listen to their personal stories, remembering that they are still human underneath the poverty.

FYI: Chicago Greater Food Depository

While we are in the subject of resources.  Chicago has a GREAT resource for its citizens looking for food.  Whatever you & your family food needs are whether it be an emergency, temporary, or long term, the Greater Chicago Food Depository is a great place to start to locate food.  No one should go hungry!!!

http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer?pagename=member_need_food

Check out their agency locator above, type in your zip code and they will inform you of all the agencies that hand out food in your area.  Please check the dates that these organizations are open because everyone has different days and times of services/operation.  

Also, if you have time, PLEASE VOLUNTEER at these places that help your community, we all have to work together for the greater good of our fellow man.

Blog #1, Post E: Los Angeles City Presentation

Our group (#4) was assigned the city of Los Angeles for our City Presentation regarding homelessness and the services they offer in serving this population.

• We will start the presentation with statistical information/analysis regarding the homeless population of LA, their safety issues, what problems might arise in trying to reach the population and any coalitions that are servicing the group.
• We will then talk about the issues of:

1. Financial status, employment and lack of services and job opportunities for the homeless and those considered to be in poverty.
2. Without proper financial security, we will then talk about the housing issues that homeless and poor people come across in their daily lives.  We will also present the agencies that support this population and the many services/resources available to them, and also any services pertaining to housing that the city of LA could improve and include.
3. Next, we will discuss the issue of food as a basic human need and how the population is being serviced and/or under-serviced.  We will present the resources such as food pantries, soup kitchens and any other community offerings for the homeless and any other person who may be suffering a shortage of food.
4. Lastly, we will discuss the issues of medical care that the homeless and poor suffer from.  We will present information of the services/coalitions that are offered for this population.

We hope to accomplish presenting up to date information regarding the homeless and poor population of the city of Los Angeles.  To educate our fellow classmates in the many services that the city offers to those in need and if any issues that the city is overlooking and can improve upon to help take care of this population.

Blog #1, Post D: Define Poverty

My Personal Definition of Poverty:

When thinking about my own personal definition of poverty, I want to make sure it encompasses all of those affected by it no matter how minute because not everyone experiences the same level of poverty.  

My personal definition includes those who lack and are unable to obtain the basic human need of food, shelter, clothing and medical care.  Those who lack includes everyone form a single person, to a family, and those with pets.  Homeless people with and without income and those whom live paycheck to paycheck and those that have government assistance and still lack basic human needs are also considered to be in poverty.

What Should Be The Legal Definition of Poverty:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty), defines poverty as:

•   "the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions"
• "the state of being poor"
• "a lack of something"

And according to the United States Census Bureau, whom advices the U.S. Government of how many Americans are actually in poverty; their definition for those considered in poverty revolves around their financial status :

• "Following the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Statistical Policy Directive 14, the Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold, then that family and every individual in it is considered in poverty. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps)". http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/methods/definitions.html

So, what do I feel should be the legal definition of poverty? Personally, it is more than just one's financial state and what is considered socially acceptable levels of poverty.  I think most definitions of poverty fail to recognize the emotional state of being of poverty.  The legal definition should include my personal definition stated earlier as to encompass all poverty levels as a whole: those who lack the basic necessities of food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education in their daily lives.  No one should be considered more poorer than their fellow man, if at the end of the day, we are in that same poor state of being. 

Blog #1, Post B: Reflection On News Article

Predatory Payday Lending

This article was personal to me because my family took out a loan from one of the many loan stores in and around Chicago during the economic meltdown in 2008. Our mortgage was not on a fixed rate and so our payments varied greatly month to month, sometimes they were out of control, costing us more than what our total income was for the month.  On top of the mortgage, we had to pay our city property taxes.  That is when we needed went into a loan store and took out a loan of $4000 to help cover the expenses of the property taxes.  We were making on time monthly payments towards the loan, until we got hit hard with subsequent increased mortgage payments and we were no longer able to keep up with the loan repayment.  Because we were in desperate need of the loan, I don't think anyone took the time to read the fine print and examine the terms of the contract and the outrages interest rates and fees of late and missed payments.  Needless to say we owed over $11,000 on the original loan within the year.  Had we read the fine print and had the contract really explained to us, I believe we would not have taken the loan out and instead tried to find other options with the city to pay our property taxes.  

 In regards to the issues raised in the articles, I believe that all of the United States should impose stricter guidelines for payday loan stores and outright ban them in neighborhoods were there are most likely to be used.  There is a cliche that says "out of sight, out of mind".  If these payday loan stores are far from the poor neighborhoods, I think it would make them less of an option for people due to having to go out of their way for a loan.  People would most likely have to really need the loan and be willing to go out of their way to access it. According to the article "Other actions to combat payday lending have been taken at the local level. Recognizing the harmful impact of payday lending on low-income communities, Chicago announced new zoning regulations to limit the number of payday-lending locations."

 Also, it would help to have education classes for the customers of these loans, so that they are made aware of the fine print and what it would mean for them to be in default.  I firmly believe that when we know better most people will do better.  Most of our financial mistakes occur because of our lack of knowledge on the subject matter. It helps to know that our Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, is recognizing the people's struggles with payday lending and has proposed to Congress Bill S.673 to help protect consumers form unreasonable credit rates charged form these institutions.  Bill S.673 is asking to amend the Truth in Lending Act by capping the APR's for credit transactions and also forbidding "creditors from using checks or other methods of bank access as collateral." 

Hopefully, with raising awareness to the issues of predatory lending and with the help of legislature, we are better able to control the way these businesses operate. 

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/report/2013/08/20/72591/predatory-payday-lending/

Blog #1, Post A: Newspaper Articles

'Quinn keeps pushing to raise Illinois minimum wage'

Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn is trying to "revive a push to raise Illinois' minimum wage" as he "has been highlighting workers' issues as he ramps up his re-election bid".  Currently the hourly minimum wage in Illinois is $8.25 and Governor Quinn would like to raise it to $10.  "It's a principle as old as the Bible to help those who work hard to not live in poverty, " he said. While working people would love to see this happen, this bill is being fought against hard by Republicans, business groups and the Retail Merchants Chamber of Commerce, citing "raising the minimum wage kills jobs" and that it will lead to "high taxes that make it an unfriendly climate for businesses".  Quinn's re-election bid is being portrayed as for the people; against poverty; wanting to help the working class; and says raising minimum wage will improve the quality of life and economy for many Illinoisans.  The Governor has support from labor unions and also of White House chief  of staff Bill Daley.  Mr. Daley "supports raising the minimum wage to $10", as he states that "Families are getting squeezed...they need help making ends meet".

Tareen, S. (9.1.2013). Quinn keeps pushing to raise Illinois minimum wage. The Herald-News. Retrieved from http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/22302220-417/quinn-keeps-pushing-to-raise-illinois-minimum-wage.html

'Predatory Payday Lending: Its Effects and How to Stop It.'

The Problem:  Predatory lending has masked itself to look like a positive lifeline for consumers who are need of quick remedy.  "Predatory lending takes many forms, including payday loans and deposit advances."  Although it does offer a quick way to receive cash for emergency situations, it is targeting a certain "type" of consumer, and is settling in comfortably next to businesses that are atypical in certain "type" of neighborhoods like liquor stores, churches and corner stores.  The problem with payday loan stores, is that users of this service, are entangled in their web of indebtedness, because they use these funds for everyday purchases, making them dependent upon the temporary loans.  "In 2012, payday lending made up approximately $29.8 billion of storefront paydays."  In order to curb the problem of these loans, 15 states have outright banned payday loan stores and 9 states allow them in limited forms with restrictions. Some of these restrictions include "limits on loan amounts, interest rates, loan terms, and the number of loans" clients are able to receive.

Peterson, A. (8.20.2013). Predatory Payday Lending: Its effects and How to Stop It. The Center for American Progress. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/report/2013/08/20/72591/predatory-payday-lending/

Purpose: This Blog Assignment

I'm a student, taking a course called Hunger & Homelessness.  It's part of the Justice Studies curriculum that I'm taking this fall.  And in this course, one of our assignments is creating this Blog (and two more to follow) on the many issues and our own research of hunger & homelessness.

About Me:

• One of my many goals in this lifetime is to graduate with a college degree. In fact, I plan to be the first one in my family to graduate with a college degree and continue unto law school.  
• Another dream of mine is to work in the field of family law issues, whether as an attorney, paralegal, and/or child advocate.
• I chose to take this class for many reasons.  I am super shy and I'm working on overcoming my fear of public speaking, so I was unable to really express in class as to my reason for taking this course. I chose this class because I was in the predicament of being homeless and hungry at various points of my life.  I am a product of the DCFS (department of child & family services) system and I was 'forgotten' many times and my absence wasn't noticed.  I was homeless during my teen years, and even though it was scary at times, I loved the experience, because I learned to survive.  I also went hungry MANY, MANY days.  Partly because I was never taught to cook (growing up in shelters and group homes, food is always prepared for you) and partly because I didn't have the financial support/resources (I wasn't aware of food stamps).  I had children at a very young age, and I clearly remember going hungry for days just so that the food would last longer for my children, even if it was just hot dogs and pork'n'beans.  It was a nasty cycle that repeated from my own early childhood.  I was raised in a single parent home, and my stepfather didnt know how to cook either.  We would only eat beans and spaguetti-o's from the cans. Every so often he would bring home 'government food', the kind in the white boxes and wrapping.  Powder milk and the block of government cheese was my comfort food.  Good ol' days!  

• So I took this course to better understand these issues, why where we allowed to get to that state of living, what could we have done different , and how can I use this knowledge to help others and keep my family from going through this again.  So, yes, this class is very personal for me.

So why Matthew 25:40?

• Though I wouldn't label myself a full-hearted Christian (I'm flawed), I believe in God.  And even though I hated Him for almost half of my life, deep down I knew and felt that He never left my side.  I was in some pretty rough situations that could have ended in early death, but I am here, alive and well with a few rough edges.
• In short, all Glory is due to Him, and Matthew 25:40 simply states, that what we do for our least fellow man, we do to God.  I interpret 'least' as those less fortunate than us, those who cannot help themselves and need our help.  Though they are 'least', they are still human, and given that this blog is about hunger & homelessness, I couldn't think of a better title to honor those who need our help, those who are forgotten, and those that God loves the most.
• "Come to the water"(the url to this blog) is a song that popped into my head when I was creating this Blog, its a great song, titled "For those Tears I died", this is one of my favorite versions of the song.  Hope you all like it as much as I do.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this very lengthy post. 

The Foundation: Matthew 25:40 NIV

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."