Lack of funds threatens overnight warming center for homeless in Ann Arbor
The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County might not be able to operate an overnight warming center this winter if additional funding doesn't come through.
File photo
“We’ve experienced a number of cuts,” said Don Austin, chief operating officer. “We don’t have the money in our budget to be able to run it.”
But several individuals and organizations have stepped up to say they want to provide the money to fund the program for this winter, he said. The goal is to then figure out a funding plan to keep it operating in future years as well.
Austin said details still need to be worked out, but he’s hopeful the money will come through. About $80,000 is needed to operate the program from mid-November through about mid-March at the Delonis Center, 312 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor.
“We love this program and the community does, too,” he said. “A lot of people are very concerned. It’s very much a needed program for folks who are out there in the cold weather.”
The program runs in addition to the shelter’s year-round residential program, which accommodates 78 people at the Delonis Center, and a program rotating among several churches in the area that shelters 25 people during the winter.
Jeff Fulkerson, 26, said he stayed at the warming center every night last year and expects to need it again this year. He said he hopes to be working soon at a fast-food restaurant and wants to move into transitional housing, but doesn’t have anywhere to go until that happens.
People would likely freeze to death or be seriously injured without the warming center, he said. “The warming center is needed … and if they don’t have it this year it’s going to be a problem for the ER,” he said.
Last year, the warming center accommodated more than 60 people on some nights, Austin said. But this year, if funding is available, it will be limited to 25, he said, and it will be staffed with at least two employees.
“Our experience has told us that having a warming center with that number of people with only one staff member was just not the way to do it,” he said. Police had to be called on a number of occasions, he said.
The association also plans to institute a better screening process this year, he said. Some people may have abused the warming shelter last year, staying there when they actually had other options, he said. The warming center is meant to be a “safe place for those people who absolutely need it.”
This year, residents of Camp Take Notice who need overnight accommodations in cold weather will be first in line for beds at the warming center, Austin said. Then it will take in others who have nowhere else to go. Camp Take Notice is an encampment of homeless residents in Scio Township.
Since 2009, the Shelter Association has had about $409,000 cut from its budget and is facing a $320,000 deficit this year, Austin said.
Even if the private funding comes through, Austin is worried it’s not enough to meet the need in the community.
“I’m afraid we’re probably going to have to turn people away,” he said. “That’s what I worry about. We can only do so much, and there may be occasions when somebody has a legitimate need and we just can’t do anything for them.”
Comments
Sparty
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 4:58 a.m.
One of the richest cities in the state, and sad to say, but the posters here seem heartless, without empathy or care for others and no sense of community. It's all about how much money "I pay" in taxes. Unfortunately these people forget how close everyone is to the cliff: The loss of a job, a medical emergency, and their small savings will quickly be gone and then that government safety net you look down on will be a lifeline but for a very short time because of people like you, and then your home is lost, and then .... People will be looking down on you and letting you go cold in Ann Arbor.
shepard145
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.
They're homeless right - they could migrate to another city with better services who can afford to cater to them! I hear that Ferndale has a first rate facilities and lots of free stuff!!
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
This is a response to the ignorant statement "why don't you open your homes to these peope"... ...Because one single indavidual can't solve the problem of homelessness by themselves, or take the chance of letting a stranger into their homes. Thats why! And it's all the more reason that we as a community need to be responsible for those who are unable to take care of themselves.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
ak3647, perhaps you didn't read the second part of my statement, since you only cherry picked one point and ignored the other. But I'll repeat; "or take the chance of letting a stranger into their home. Also, as stated earlier, I do give to charity as well...I hardly consider that "not doing something".
ak3647
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 5:42 p.m.
So your retort is "one person can't make a difference?" That's a convenient excuse for not doing something. If the Delonis Center is only funded for 25 beds, then yes, ONE PERSON (like you, for example) opening up their home to someone in need WILL make a difference. Will it solve the homeless problem? No, it won't. It will make a difference for at least one homeless person, now won't it. You have no excuse, other than you simply don't want a homeless person in your home. Out of sight, out of mind.
a2roots
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
@atticus...donating to charity can be done many ways. If this is so important to you than as i suggested you should pool your resources with those that care to give more than what they are already giving. Do not from my comments assume I do not donate to charity. I choose mine carefully.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
A2roots, plenty of people pool their resources together to help the homeless, including myself...It's called donating to charity. Also, If everybody got to choose how much they wanted to pay in taxes, how many people do you think would choose to pay nothing? If I had a choice, I would pay nothing towards the wars in Iraq/Afganistan...But thats not how our tax system works.
a2roots
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
If you have the resources do something about. Plenty of individuals that think like you could pool your homes and resources and have an impact. Take a leadership role and get all the bleeding hearts in Ann Arbor on your page Atticus and become a hero instead of blaming others and looking for a bailout. I am taxed plenty and see no reason to add to it.
a2roots
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
I know there is data kept on the users of the facilities. It would be interesting to know where the people come from, the duration of their stay, how often they come back, criminal history, etc. These facilities are locally funded but I just wonder if Ann Arbor is a magnet because of the services available. There are plenty of bleeding hearts in the community that I suggest open there homes or their wallets and take people in.
a2roots
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
@ypsiarborchica...thank you for the info. Why in the world a reporter does not include this info in a story is beyond me.
dotdash
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
Let me guess: you are not from Samara.
ypsiarborchica
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.
according to the Shelter Association's 2011 annual report, "79% of clients in the residential program are Washtenaw County residents. Of the remaining twenty one percent, 18% are from Michigan with the majority coming from Western Wayne County." (source: <a href="http://annarborshelter.org/publications/AR_10_11_FINAL%20w%20changes.pdf)" rel='nofollow'>http://annarborshelter.org/publications/AR_10_11_FINAL%20w%20changes.pdf)</a>. The Shelter Association has more strict rules on eligibility than many other social service providers in Washtenaw County, in order to avoid being a magnet (or even the appearance of being one, really); clients have to show proof of Washtenaw County residency before they are determined eligible for the residential program, otherwise their case has to be reviewed and discussed as to whether or not there is reason to make an exception (such as they are already living on the streets in Washtenaw County and are extremely vulnerable due to mental illness, or they have already obtained employment in Washtenaw County and should be able to find housing relatively quickly).
dotdash
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
When I was volunteering in a shelter, we had one guy everyone knew by name: he was schizophrenic, ranted, handed out diatribes, smelled bad, never bathed, was touchy and paranoid. He'd show up for a while, then disappear, then show up again. One day, an older man walked in and asked if we had seen this guy. The older man was his father. He couldn't get his son real help, couldn't get him to stay on his medication, couldn't save him, couldn't get him to go home. All he could do was to fly out from his home state and check up on him a couple times a year. Then he would have to go back home and worry for another six months. It was heartbreaking. That is the kind of man who would freeze to death in a place like AA if there were no emergency shelters, and it is for that father's love that I give money to the shelter system.
a2roots
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
@dotdash..Ok so I get it. We feel real sorry for dad who checks up a couple times a year. Instead of checking up which apparently is a lost cause he would be better off donating the cost of his plane fare to the organization that takes care of his kid.
dotdash
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
a2roots: wow, just wow.
a2roots
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:25 p.m.
How much money did the father donate?
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
I've heard the statistic that 1 in 4 homeless people are vets. Also, has anyone stopped to think about what the consiquences are of not having a warming shelter in the middle of January when the weather gets down to -10? When we see someone lying in the street unconcious, about to die, are we going to call an ambulance? Are we going to call a coroner to pick up the body? Or are we going to simply step over frozen bodies of our fellow Americans that wern't able to take care of themselves?
pbehjatnia
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 11:18 a.m.
freezing to death is a slow and miserable process. i don't wish that on anyone. however i do question how many of our homeless are actually ann arbor residents? also, the delonis would have quite a few beds free in the regular shelter if they kicked out the registered sex offenders residing there. yeah. across from the Y. awesome. check yourself on the state registration list. i agree that the city hall lobby is a good sheltering option for the winter. i see no reason that beds cannot be set up and staff employed to regulate the users through the winter - provided they are actually from ann arbor.
JADE
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 6:14 a.m.
Only Washtenaw County Residents (with verifiable proof such as license, past lease, utility bill, etc.) are able to stay at the Delonis Center including Warming Center. In regards to the sex offender issue, it's a non issue. Sex offenders have the right not to freeze too.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.
The Delonis center has been in that area for far far longer than the YMCA...So why dont you petition the YMCA to move, if you truly are that concerned. Also, last time I checked, these people have paid their debt to society...Which doesn't include wandering the earth homeless for the rest of their lives. Do you think the punishment for a crime should be wandering the streets homeless forever? Maybe we could send them to the gas chamber, or even better yet, we could reinstitute torture or dismemberment as a form of punishment.
ypsiarborchica
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:14 p.m.
Let's take your solution to open up "quite a few beds" for a spin, pbehjatnia. Is it your opinion that anyone has ever been convicted of any level of criminal sexual conduct charge (CSC) should be sentanced to a "slow and miserable" death? That sounds like what you're putting out there. I'm not saying that what they did (or at least were convicted of) was right; however, it is a lot harder for someone with a criminal record, particularly a CSC, to find employment and housing. If you were an employer in this economy, would they be your first choice? Probably not, particularly since their pictures, addresses, and offenses are available to anyone with a computer. It's not that they won't be able to find employment if they really work at it, but it's going to take them a little longer. Longer still if they are living outside and unable to properly attend to their hygiene. So then, I guess your solution would be to just let them all freeze to death; I disagree with that as a reasonable option. No, having it so close isn't optimal, but there is no rule against someone with a CSC residing near the YMCA.
JADE
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 6:56 a.m.
@ Craig. I'm pretty sure the less than $20,000 a year that the staff there makes to counsel, console, support, and take care of what apparently more than one "ANNARBORITE" feels is someone not worthy of a warm place to sleep is a selfless act. Were not making pepperoni pizzas here. And unlike ER Nurses' the pay isn't equivalent to the amount of effort we put into saving a life. The $20,000 a month feeds, warms, provides clean blankets and clothing, services such as job seeking, medical clinic, and staff. Which is approximately $26 a day to do all that for one adult or $670 a day for 25. I'd like to see how you would live off of $25 a day. In fact I challenge you to provide housing for 25 people a night and crisis intervention, food, clean linens and staff support on less than $26 a night. They get the bare bones. And one things for sure; their grateful for it.
JADE
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 6:20 a.m.
Also, just so you can visualize how 'bare bones' they get treated, they sleep on one yoga mat with one blanket on a concrete floor with no pillow. Better than outside true however, I really can't understand someone who seems to think thats' 'too much' for another human being.
JADE
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 6:12 a.m.
@Craig, yet again lets clear some things up. The people that run (read the article) WARMING CENTER are not professional licensed anything because that would cost YET AGAIN more money. They are Social Work Students who are considered less than part time, make $20,000 and don't get benefits. If its' really this complex for you to grasp why don't you head over there and talk to one of the staff. OH. WAIT. I am one of the staff
ypsiarborchica
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
Craig, I can't answer all of your questions, but I think a lot of the information you're looking for is in the Shelter Association's annual report. According to the 2011 one, (<a href="http://annarborshelter.org/publications/AR_10_11_FINAL%20w%20changes.pdf)" rel='nofollow'>http://annarborshelter.org/publications/AR_10_11_FINAL%20w%20changes.pdf)</a> they utilized over 12,000 hours of volunteer support which is valued at over $250,000. In addition to the general volunteers, I know that volunteer positions they have also had in the past are volunteer counselors (fully licensed, carrying their own liability insurance) and volunteers in the medical clinic; I'm not sure what they have now or what the ratio is to paid staff. No, not all of the staff are paid only $20, 000/year, different staff are paid at different rates based on their position and experience, like at any other company or non-profit. They do have some licensed social workers there, but their role is primarily case management rather than counseling.
dotdash
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
Craig, your questions have an edge of disbelief to them, so it's no wonder you get defensive answers. Why are you so sure money is being wasted? When I think through what the services are, what the costs involved are, what the staffing needs are, what the alternatives are for those served, I am nothing but admiring of those who run, staff and fund the Center (yes, that is partially us, the taxpayers of the county).
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
all I've done is ask questions. Are you saying, and this is just a question, that the paid folks drawing a paycheck at the Homeless shelter are only paid $20,000 a year? For a 40 hour week? People are professional counselors getting $20,000 a year? Or are they unlicensed counselors? What is the ratio of paid workers to volunteers at the homeless shelter? Again I'm just a questions.
JADE
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 6:25 a.m.
Hey. You think they'll freeze to death in those parks where the City put up those purdy sculptures for $100,000 a year? Just wondering. That would be super artistic.
Nephilim
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
Is it irony or good placement that this article just happens to set just below the article that states U of M to spend 440 million on residence halls, yet the power player with the deep pockets can't pony up and help the less fortunate. Let's spend a boat load of cash for our gold spoon fed students but turn up our nose at the horrible homeless.
ak3647
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
Where do you think that money came from? Those students pay to live in those residence halls. The University exists to provide services to the students who pay to go to school there. That's its function. It's not a social services agency.
MjC
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:13 a.m.
I've had two children graduate from the UM - they were not "spoon fed" students. Both received an outstanding education (one being in public health care). The dorm rooms they stayed in hadn't been updated since the 70's (despite being built in the 40's). These upgrades should have been completed years ago. And I don't see how you figure that the University community turns up it nose to the homeless when its employees are collectively the biggest contributors to the annual United Way Campaign in Washtenaw County. Stop being a hater.
Stephen Landes
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
We have a recently expanded city hall building right down town. I see no reason why that building cannot be used to help people who need a warm shelter at night. As long as they observe some basic rules (like the ones used at the Delonis Center) and clean up after themselves in the morning there should be no reason not to use these public buildings in this way.
captain_k
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
how many foreclosed houses are sitting empty while there are homeless people out in the cold? just saying...there's got to be a simpler way.
Left is Right
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.
There's a house on the corner of n. Maple and Huron River Drive that just can't be sold. Maybe the owners should make it a shelter.
ypsiarborchica
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
you're not as far off as some might think, captain_k...that's already been done in Florida: <a href="http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-12-21/real-estate/17132642_1_foreclosed-max-rameau-homeless-people" rel='nofollow'>http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-12-21/real-estate/17132642_1_foreclosed-max-rameau-homeless-people</a>
julieswhimsies
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 6:08 p.m.
I am embarrassed and ashamed by those in the Ann Arbor community who revile the homeless. Each one of these homeless people has a story. "There but before the grace of God, go I."
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.
This absurdity occurs while the average citizen will spend $73 on Halloween! Let 'em eat cake/Halloween candy!!
Hot Sam
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
If I don't spend anything, does that mean someone is spending $146???
Barbara Clarke
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
This is a moving story which illustrates that our Ann Arbor has human needs . . . wouldn't that $750, 000 spent on public art gone a long way to answer the funding problems addressed in this article? Why can't City Council reverse the decisions about allocating funds for public art to responding to the human needs which are clearly known to all of us?
Carl Ebach
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
When it comes to helping out the poor, the elderly and the middle don't look to the teapartiers/GOBPers, it is all for one and all for themselves. Also they spell helping with 2 Ls. Hellping!
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
Also, they spell GOP with no B. GOBPers!
zaners12345
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Wow, I need to reassess my beliefs of what I have thought the people of this community were all about. The ignorance of these comments astounds me. While there are some who abuse the system, there are many who by misfortune or happenstance are just in a bad place. Put yourself in someone else's place... would you want to spend a bitter cold Michigan winter's night on the streets. It's not about comfort, it's about safety. And the comments about "boozers", once again, ignorance. The Delonis center does not allow anyone high or drunk to stay in this shelter. Inform yourself... perhaps even volunteer... make OUR community a safe place for ALL of our citizens.
ak3647
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
You know, there's nothing stopping you from opening up your own home and taking in a homeless person. It wouldn't cost a penny and would free up a bed at the Delonis Center. Why don't you lead by example?
ypsiarborchica
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
I agree with your sentiment zaners, it's absolutely about safety and it's an important safety net for those in the most need in our community. However, to clarify...the warming center is the only program at the Delonis Center that does allow substance abusers the opportunity to stay at the shelter in order to avoid them freezing to death. The only services offered to clients testing positive for alcohol (up to .100) would be to stay in the warming center from 9pm to 7am and to come in for meals. For any other services, including showers, clients would have to test negative for alcohol. Only clients in the shelter's residential and rotating shelter programs are tested for drugs. If an intoxicated client is disruptive, however, they are not allowed to stay or receive services regardless whether or not they are within the set limits.
mrk
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
@McGiver - good point. The Delonis Center's site is <a href="http://www.annarborshelter.org" rel='nofollow'>www.annarborshelter.org</a> and there is a link to donate online.
SonnyDog09
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
"About $80,000 is needed to operate the program from mid-November through about mid-March..." That's $20k/month. What are they spending $20k/month on? What are the operating expenses that add up to $20k/month?
jns131
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
I'd like to know what that one too. How fuel do they need to warm their buildings? We keep our house at 65 year round. Cool enough to save fuel here.
Mr. Ed
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
The Homeless should go to Florida for the winter. Maybe it would be wise to spend the money on some buses and assist in the transportation needs. If I were homeless I would winter in Florida and come back to Ann Arbor in the Summer. We could always send the buses back to Florida in the late spring to assist in the transportation back top A2.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
And what happens when Florida decides to ship them back here? Will we be alternating whith the state of Florida by sending bus loads of homeless people back and forth and dumping them off on the side of the road just over the state line?
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
Ann Arbor area churches open their doors to the homeless all winter long on a rotating basis to provide warmth and food for those in need. There is at least one viable alternative option.
ypsiarborchica
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
It is not an alternative option, it is another program offered through the Shelter Association. the rotating shelter program is staffed overnight by volunteers and located at churches, but shelter staff sign up the clients; provide and transport the mats, linens, and clients' belongings; launder the linens; drug and alcohol test the clients; etc. No one can just walk into one of the churches to join rotating shelter, they have to check in at the Delonis Center and are transported to the churches (again, by church volunteers). The churches and their volunteers are a vital part of the program, but it is a Shelter Association program. nyx, anyone who needs the rotating shelter program would check in at the Delonis Center in the evening.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
I will try to find you info if your really interested. My church is in the cycle for a week of providing a "warming center" although I have no direct involvement. I do my volunteering in another area. My church also serves 80-120 meals outside in downtown Ann Arbor every Friday night 52 Fridays a year. The response is significant. Several area churches work with the homeless outside of any Government structure. The church folks involved build relationships with these homeless folks and word gets around. The fact that these churches take no Government money nor seek publicity is how a rather extensive outreach can happen without your knowledge. But it doesn't mean many homeless folks don't know.
Kara H
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
I'm unaware of this initiative and any predictable schedule associated with it. How do you suppose the homeless would know? Is there a link or something you can post with specific info and schedule so others can share the info with those who need it? I doubt though it's either consistent enough or well resourced enough to meet the need, but it'd be good to know.
antikvetch
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
$80,000 would purchase 800 one-way Greyhound tickets to Alabama, where there is currently a shortage of farm help. And it's warmer -
4 Fingers
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
Nah, easier to pan handle all day and go to the camp at night for Pizza and Beer.
Sparty
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 4:19 a.m.
I'd rather see antikvetch go to Alabama and be a job coach there since they are such a big promoter and supporter of that states employment opportunities. I prefer supporting citizens of Ann Arbor and finding local solutions to our own social issues that dont involve deportation to other states.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
DBlaine , I didn't speculate I asked a question. You provided an answer. Thank you. Some folks are volunteers (selfless) and some folks are paid (doing a job like a pizza delivery man or an emergency room nurse does a job.)
DBlaine
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
@Craig. Yes the Delonis center, of course, has paid employees. Would you expect anything different? But it also has lots of volunteers who assist the employees, cover for breaks, and perform lots of tasks. Why don't you go down to the Delonis Center and find out for yourself before speculating.
Carl Ebach
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
Will you be one of them? PLEASE!
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.
"the Delonis Center is staffed with selfless people..." are they not paid employees? Or are they volunteers? The folks at the area Church's are almost all volunteers donating their time. They are truly selfless. To the extent that folks at the Delonis Center may draw a paycheck for their time "selfless" is a bit problematic as a description.
zaners12345
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
Wow, I need to reassess my beliefs of what I have thought the people of this community were all about. The ignorance of these comments astounds me. While there are some who abuse the system, there are many who by misfortune or happenstance are just in a bad place. Put yourself in someone else's place... would you want to spend a bitter cold Michigan winter's night on the streets. It's not about comfort, it's about safety. And the comments about "boozers", once again, ignorance. The Delonis center does not allow anyone high or drunk to stay in this shelter. Inform yourself... perhaps even volunteer... make OUR community a safe place for ALL of our citizens.
zaners12345
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
Hopefully you or someone you love will never be in a situation (fire, flood, your company goes out of business, medical issues, mental illness, addiction, etc.) where you ever need these types of services... the Delonis Center is staffed with selfless people who help those who, by misfortune, mistake or happenstance, cannot help themselves... it's not a permanent solution but a safety net. To allow people in our community to freeze on a Michigan winter's night is shameful.
jns131
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
I could not agree more with this one. There is a shortage of labor and farm help and yet Americans are letting illegal immigrants do these jobs when a lot of unemployed Americans can do these jobs and at least put food on the table. There are jobs out there, you just need to find them.
joe.blow
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
sh1, turns out antikvetch probably planned ahead, has a little money stashed away and doesn't abuse drugs and alcohol.
sh1
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
God forbid you're ever in a similar situation.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
No "politically correct cookie" for you buster. ;)
Alan Goldsmith
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
"About $80,000 is needed to operate the program from mid-November through about mid-March at the Delonis Center, 312 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor." About 10% of the budget for the new City building 'artwork'. Hope you can sleep well today everyone in the Arts Community and City Government who made the tough choices and whined and moaned about 'art' over the past two years. Great job, you got what you wanted.
Carl Ebach
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 3:08 p.m.
sorry wrong poster
xmo
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 12:09 p.m.
I thought that I saw some recent articles on how Downtown Business owners blamed the Homeless for driving customers away by panhandling in front of their stores? ""We love this program and the community does, too,"" "said Don Austin, chief operating officer" Which Community Loves this program?
DBlaine
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 5:14 p.m.
What an ignorant comment. Many of the people who use the warming center are working people. They may be homeless, yes, but the leave the center every day for jobs. They ring up and bag your groceries, they work the cash register at the gas station, and sweep the floors where you shop. The people staying at the warming center are not the panhandlers downtown.
jns131
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
There was an article about this within the last week. And yes, the pan handlers are sent out in to the streets so the warming centers can clean up after them during the day.
McGiver
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 11:08 a.m.
Whenever these kind of articles are written, it would be helpful to provide information for donations from readers. I am sure I can find it but it would be nice to have it while the stoy is fresh in mind.