There are thousands of individuals, church groups, and non-profit organizations that
provide much needed assistance to many, including the low-income and disabled as well
as the homeless. There are many people who have little themselves but yet give whatever
they can to help others.
Unfortunately, there are also a great many who take advantage of the situation for profit.
There are the predators that feed off the homeless and less fortunate while pretending to
be "churches" or "programs". While some simply don't accomplish what they promise to
generous donors, there are those who leave the homeless in an even worse condition
after making use of them.
provide much needed assistance to many, including the low-income and disabled as well
as the homeless. There are many people who have little themselves but yet give whatever
they can to help others.
Unfortunately, there are also a great many who take advantage of the situation for profit.
There are the predators that feed off the homeless and less fortunate while pretending to
be "churches" or "programs". While some simply don't accomplish what they promise to
generous donors, there are those who leave the homeless in an even worse condition
after making use of them.
| The Predators |
One of my first experiences with those who search out and make use of the homeless was a few
years ago in Pinellas Park FL. I had just left a Christian mission, where I took a shower and had
dinner. While walking down Park Blvd I passed a couple people asking for money for a mission. I
quietly told them I couldn't give anything. One of them asked me if I was homeless, to which I
replied "yes". Right away he told me that they could have someone come over right away to drive
me to their "mission" in Tampa. It didn't sound right to me for many reasons. They were trying to
pick up homeless people, just blocks away from a Christian mission, but wouldn't go there to talk
to anyone? Why were they in such a hurry? I didn't accept, fortunately.
Later I learned about what their "mission" was. They called it the Deeper Life Church, located in
Tampa FL, which was run by a person they called the "Bishop". Later I found out, in multiple
news articles, that they kept people in very poor conditions, and took their food stamps while only
providing minimal meals. Those who wanted something better were made to go on fundraising
(panhandling) trips, as far as Texas and Tennesssee. Four people died in their "care" in vehicle
accidents during these trips. The "Bishop" apparently raised millions of dollars in the process and
lived in luxury. Finally the couple running the "mission" pled guilty in court for trafficking in food
stamps and dealing in stolen property.
years ago in Pinellas Park FL. I had just left a Christian mission, where I took a shower and had
dinner. While walking down Park Blvd I passed a couple people asking for money for a mission. I
quietly told them I couldn't give anything. One of them asked me if I was homeless, to which I
replied "yes". Right away he told me that they could have someone come over right away to drive
me to their "mission" in Tampa. It didn't sound right to me for many reasons. They were trying to
pick up homeless people, just blocks away from a Christian mission, but wouldn't go there to talk
to anyone? Why were they in such a hurry? I didn't accept, fortunately.
Later I learned about what their "mission" was. They called it the Deeper Life Church, located in
Tampa FL, which was run by a person they called the "Bishop". Later I found out, in multiple
news articles, that they kept people in very poor conditions, and took their food stamps while only
providing minimal meals. Those who wanted something better were made to go on fundraising
(panhandling) trips, as far as Texas and Tennesssee. Four people died in their "care" in vehicle
accidents during these trips. The "Bishop" apparently raised millions of dollars in the process and
lived in luxury. Finally the couple running the "mission" pled guilty in court for trafficking in food
stamps and dealing in stolen property.
Most of those who live off of the homeless and less fortunate are not so obvious, or extreme.
Every Christmas there are people all over ringing bells with little kettles asking for money, but
where does all that go? Just try to go to one of their "rescue missions" and tell them you're in
serious need and find out for yourself. In the county where I live there are several local groups
that are actually "doing more good" without panhandling in front of stores.
Every Christmas there are people all over ringing bells with little kettles asking for money, but
where does all that go? Just try to go to one of their "rescue missions" and tell them you're in
serious need and find out for yourself. In the county where I live there are several local groups
that are actually "doing more good" without panhandling in front of stores.
A few years ago, someone from a "church" confronted me and some others with the idea that
they would give us training in electrical work, provide temporary housing, and find us jobs. Being
homeless at the time with no job, how could I refuse? If I had any idea what was coming I would
have had nothing to do with them.
When I told them I had no identification to work, they said I didn't need any. I should have known
something was very wrong right then, as it's illegal to hire people without proper identification.
There were classes in electrical work, but no tests to see if anyone learned anything. All we had
to do was just sit and listen. The "graduation" was being paraded in front of two Sunday services
as the "new graduates". They had hoped that the local press would cover the event for publicity,
but no one showed up.
The housing turned out to be a run down old trailer in a seedy trailer park, which I ended up
sharing with active drug addicts that couldn't possibly do the work that was planned. It turned out
that there was no work either, but we did perform one major function. We were publicity for the
"church" so they could get donations for all the good they did for the community. I wonder how
much they made off of us.
I was forced to go back on the street, but kept trying on my own anyway in spite of being deeply
discouraged from being manipulated by them.
they would give us training in electrical work, provide temporary housing, and find us jobs. Being
homeless at the time with no job, how could I refuse? If I had any idea what was coming I would
have had nothing to do with them.
When I told them I had no identification to work, they said I didn't need any. I should have known
something was very wrong right then, as it's illegal to hire people without proper identification.
There were classes in electrical work, but no tests to see if anyone learned anything. All we had
to do was just sit and listen. The "graduation" was being paraded in front of two Sunday services
as the "new graduates". They had hoped that the local press would cover the event for publicity,
but no one showed up.
The housing turned out to be a run down old trailer in a seedy trailer park, which I ended up
sharing with active drug addicts that couldn't possibly do the work that was planned. It turned out
that there was no work either, but we did perform one major function. We were publicity for the
"church" so they could get donations for all the good they did for the community. I wonder how
much they made off of us.
I was forced to go back on the street, but kept trying on my own anyway in spite of being deeply
discouraged from being manipulated by them.
There was one organization that actually helped me to get back to work. It wasn't until I had been
there for a while though that I realized that the pastor who ran it didn't want homeless people
there, as they were primarily seeking people with addictions which could provide on-going
government funding. After a week or so I started working, went by all the rules, paid $550/month
for room and board, and finally got on my own. I didn't speak in tongues or wave my hands
appropriately in church, and they never considered me as anything more than a poor hopeless
pagan (i.e. Lutheran), but at least they didn't throw me out.
there for a while though that I realized that the pastor who ran it didn't want homeless people
there, as they were primarily seeking people with addictions which could provide on-going
government funding. After a week or so I started working, went by all the rules, paid $550/month
for room and board, and finally got on my own. I didn't speak in tongues or wave my hands
appropriately in church, and they never considered me as anything more than a poor hopeless
pagan (i.e. Lutheran), but at least they didn't throw me out.
There was one "program" on 28th St. in Pinellas county a few years ago that permitted homeless
to take a shower and gave coffee, donuts, and a sandwich for the homeless who came by. About
a year later, when I found the data online, I looked up the budget. About $75,000 per year! That
was for around ten to twenty persons per day, and the food was already donated for free by
others! The director had a nice new SUV though. The "program" closed after a while since not
enough people showed up, even in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the county.
to take a shower and gave coffee, donuts, and a sandwich for the homeless who came by. About
a year later, when I found the data online, I looked up the budget. About $75,000 per year! That
was for around ten to twenty persons per day, and the food was already donated for free by
others! The director had a nice new SUV though. The "program" closed after a while since not
enough people showed up, even in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the county.
I must emphasize that there are a lot of people out there that will work tirelessly to do whatever
they can to help others. There are churches that serve free meals continually without putting
special conditions on those being helped, or even asking for donations. Some churches will even
help people with car repair bills and emergency expenses, without asking anything in return. But
beware, there are some predators out there too. Those who are very clever in making almost
everyone think that they are doing good work, while making money off generous contributors.
they can to help others. There are churches that serve free meals continually without putting
special conditions on those being helped, or even asking for donations. Some churches will even
help people with car repair bills and emergency expenses, without asking anything in return. But
beware, there are some predators out there too. Those who are very clever in making almost
everyone think that they are doing good work, while making money off generous contributors.
 | |  |
There are plenty of organizations out there
happy to take your money saying that it's to
help the homeless. But where does the money
really go?
Some actually just use the homeless for profit,
and don't care the least if their "clients" live or
die. The more homeless there are, the greater
the profit potential.
happy to take your money saying that it's to
help the homeless. But where does the money
really go?
Some actually just use the homeless for profit,
and don't care the least if their "clients" live or
die. The more homeless there are, the greater
the profit potential.
While many missions or churches preach the word of God as would be expected, often it gets
very confused when they're controlled by people with extreme views. As much as I would like to
see Christian teaching available to the homeless, the word that is preached sometimes gets very
blurred by bigotry.
At one mission I've been to they have someone deliver a talk, lasting a half hour before the meal.
Typically it's the straightforward kind of salvation message, but then some other times it would get
very strange. Often very few, if any, of those attending would be able to understand what it's
about. Anyway, those attending have dinner and a chance to take a shower. It helped the
homeless especially since no one else would provide access to a shower in the area. They
preached a message that those in control apparently wanted to have preached, and people were
helped, but was it really truthful to the hundreds of others donating tens of thousands of dollars
expecting it to be spent on a basic Christian salvation message and a meal?
very confused when they're controlled by people with extreme views. As much as I would like to
see Christian teaching available to the homeless, the word that is preached sometimes gets very
blurred by bigotry.
At one mission I've been to they have someone deliver a talk, lasting a half hour before the meal.
Typically it's the straightforward kind of salvation message, but then some other times it would get
very strange. Often very few, if any, of those attending would be able to understand what it's
about. Anyway, those attending have dinner and a chance to take a shower. It helped the
homeless especially since no one else would provide access to a shower in the area. They
preached a message that those in control apparently wanted to have preached, and people were
helped, but was it really truthful to the hundreds of others donating tens of thousands of dollars
expecting it to be spent on a basic Christian salvation message and a meal?
I've been helped in various ways by many churches, in meals, temporary places to stay for the
night, clothing, and so on. Not just Christian churches either. A few times I spent the night at a
Jewish synagogue where they also gave lunches for those coming there and made people feel
welcome. I've seen many different denominations helping people without ridiculing them.
night, clothing, and so on. Not just Christian churches either. A few times I spent the night at a
Jewish synagogue where they also gave lunches for those coming there and made people feel
welcome. I've seen many different denominations helping people without ridiculing them.
Any comments or questions?
email me at:
clyde@homelessamerican.com
email me at:
clyde@homelessamerican.com
I've found that the staff or clergy in some
programs will ask their clients lots of personal
questions as "counseling services" which they
then charge the government for, and gossip
about. In legitimate churches a person can
openly talk to a pastor or priest without worrying
about it becoming public gossip. Not so with
these self-made ministers and counselors.
programs will ask their clients lots of personal
questions as "counseling services" which they
then charge the government for, and gossip
about. In legitimate churches a person can
openly talk to a pastor or priest without worrying
about it becoming public gossip. Not so with
these self-made ministers and counselors.
Some of these scam operations do get caught. This March (2010) The St. Louis County Circuit
Court, Missouri, ordered Sidney Young and Our American Veterans (OAVI) to pay restitution and
civil penalties of $118,252. for deceptive sollicitation in Missouri. Donors were led to believe that
money was going to veterans in need, but it only went into the pockets of those running the scam.
Court, Missouri, ordered Sidney Young and Our American Veterans (OAVI) to pay restitution and
civil penalties of $118,252. for deceptive sollicitation in Missouri. Donors were led to believe that
money was going to veterans in need, but it only went into the pockets of those running the scam.
In November '09 (New York Times 11/24/09) a complaint was filed by the Attorney
General of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo, against the United Homeless
Organization (U.H.O.). They had been collecting money at street corner tables claiming that it was
for their homeless program, but there was no "program". The organization was licensed as a
non-profit, but just having a license proves nothing about how the money is used.
General of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo, against the United Homeless
Organization (U.H.O.). They had been collecting money at street corner tables claiming that it was
for their homeless program, but there was no "program". The organization was licensed as a
non-profit, but just having a license proves nothing about how the money is used.
| homelessamerican.com |
Please don't give up on helping, just be careful who you give money to. Best thing to do? Get
involved youself and see what's being accomplished. Legitimate organizations will welcome the
help and assistance, and be open to volunteers. The phony ones spend all their time hiding the
facts, and some finally end up in prison for fraud or tax evasion.
involved youself and see what's being accomplished. Legitimate organizations will welcome the
help and assistance, and be open to volunteers. The phony ones spend all their time hiding the
facts, and some finally end up in prison for fraud or tax evasion.
| homelessamerican.com |