It's Not A Lot, But To Some It Means The World

Today, Dr Pete Gathje of Emmanuel House Manna, located at 1268 Jefferson Ave. He spoke today about the homeless problems abroad in the the United States as well as right here in Memphis. He gave those in attendance a brief overview of the facts and figures involved with homelessness. One important fact that hit close to home was that 58.6% of those living in the Southern Black Belt are actually working but cannot afford the basic necessities of life. Therefore, if these people are not already homeless, they soon will be. Gathje gave us a definition of homelessness. It is a condition in which a person "lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence." He pointed out that there are two types of homelessness, temporary (people who have only been homeless for a few months) and chronic (people who have spent years in a state of homelessness).
He also spoke to us about the Memphis Center City Commission and that their grand solution for the homeless problem in Memphis is to criminalize the homeless and lock them away rather than attempt to help them. One of their associate organizations, Partners for the Homeless, does some good things, but they fully support the Center City Commission's criminalization of the homeless. Some partner. With a friend like that, I don't think I would need an enemy. Next, Dr. Pete spoke about the Union Mission on Poplar Aveenue near the intersection of Danny Thomas Blvd. They charge the homeless $6.00 to stay there and require the homeless person provide an ID and be fingerprinted (because of their cooperation with the Center City Commission's criminalization efforts. The Union Mission also makes religious worship a part of their requirements for someone to stay there.
These three places seem to be nothing more than dens of oppression rather than places that help people. Gathje explained the work being done at Emmanuel House Manna. As he puts it, they do not do all that much. But I am pretty sure that if Manna House had to close for whatever reason, it would damage the lives of those who seek their help. Yes, they may only be providing a place where someone can grab a quick shower, a cup of coffee and some socks and hygiene products, but to those who come there, it really means the world to them that they have even that much.