I visited 802 North Broad Street the other day for one of my site visits. I'm also planning on volunteering there full time now, but that's besides the point of this blog. So I was walking around with Carly Maurer, the SSC of 802 for Thursdays, and two other volunteers underneath City Hall. As we were walking upstairs by the big clothing pin, we saw a man sitting on a milk crate. He was asking people for money, wearing combat gear, and (the most unfortunate part) sporting half of a leg. Carly, the two other volunteers and I happen on this man and approach him. We casually say "Hi" and he begins a long, drawn out tirade about how people don't even see him on the streets of Philadelphia. He feels invisible, and he wonders why people don't give him "a penny, nickle, or quarter" even though he knows that these people have the money. His name was James, and after a few more minutes talking with him, another man came up and began to scold James about what he was talking about, and so our group of four went up the stairs and out of the scene.
After this event, a discussion ensued: James seemed to talk about how people don't help him out by giving him "a penny, an nickle, or a quarter," and how people don't even notice him. At the same time, when I offered James a sheet that had places where he could find meals in Philadelphia, James denied it. Also, according to one of the volunteers, James spoke about how he felt as if he didn't want the help of those passing him by. As weekly service volunteers, this is a conondrum to us.
So here's my question that I will leave open for discussion. Leave your opinion in the replies.
What does a volunteer do if he or she encounters someone like James, someone who is hypercritical of society, but when someone tries to help, this someone doesn't take it? Is it a matter of perspective? In your own view, what factors contributed to James' point of view?
Happy thinking!
-Jeff
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1 comment:
I think it comes down to pride, ultimately. It could be a simple as James doesn't feel that he's putting people out all too much asking for their spare change (hence the term), whereas to accept charity would be too much. In consideration of his attire and injury, if you ever happen to run into him again and he is still adverse to 802, maybe you could suggest veteran services, because technically he would be entitled to those and could lessen the blow to his ego. On a more general note, most people do not enjoy being the "moocher" of a group of friends; this not-wanting-help mentality could simply be a more extreme version of a sentiment we have all experienced. Hopefully, through people like yourselves speaking with those who need the organizations you suggest, a personal connection will encourage them to get the help they need.
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