What do you do?

[b4freedom]

Hypothetical "What do you do?" based on real story.

You serve in Iraq. You come back a little messed up in the head and commit a violent crime. You serve 1 year in jail. You get out of jail with 5 years probation. By court order, you can't leave the county. The county has high unemployment (above 20%). You have no family within 2000 miles of you. You have no house. You have no car. You have no job. Your ex girlfriend tossed all of your belongings in the trash. You have nothing but the clothing on your back. Nobody will hire you because you're an excon. Your family is poor and can only mail you about $20 a week if you had address. You have a cell phone that a family member is paying for. You get some food stamps (lasts about 3 weeks before you start getting really hungry) and you manage to earn about $8/week collecting scrap metal (mostly from soda cans). But walking around looking for scrap metal means you need more food, more water, and your socks and shoes wear out very quickly. Ideally, you'd just like to go back to your parents house where you could live and hopefully find a job (you'd settle for any job where they would hire you). But you can't leave the county.

How do you survive for 5 years? What do you do?

After two years, your mother dies and you are sent a check for $2500. What do you do with it?

[Mr Nice Guy]

Start by counting the things you DO have, instead of listing the negatives.

[b4freedom]

Originally Posted by Mr Nice Guy

Start by counting the things you DO have, instead of listing the negatives.

Would you seriously tell a homeless guy that?

[Shewillbemine]

I'd get a job at McDonald's or any other minimum wage place that will take me. That will surely pay this person more than $8/week. I'd take the $2500 and find a place to stay and use the rest for long-term food (ie food you can cook). I'd also get rid of the cell phone (who is this person talking to?!) or kindly ask the family paying for the cell phone to turn that monthly payment into a food stipend.

Times can get tough, but they can always be tougher. How? Well if you told me this person was also paralyzed from the neck down then that's an example of an even tougher situation. As I like to say "If you can walk, you can work".

[Mr Nice Guy]

Originally Posted by b4freedom

What's wrong with you? Would you seriously tell a homeless guy that?

Yes I would. Its a better gift than giving a homeless person $.74.

Everybody has hard times in their lives. I was at my own personal "dire straits" at one point and the only thing that lifted me out was faith in God. I had to start my life again basically and it wasn't through handouts and sob stories. It was through mental toughness and appreciating things and just building from there.

I apologize my comment came off rash, it was just meant to be a ray of light in all the darkness you listed. What am I supposed to say to your original post? "Awwwwww, im sorry?" "that sucks?"

If you want advice on the $2500, I would say find housing, a place to call home. Start from there...

[Mr Nice Guy]

"nobody will hire you because you are an excon."

Sounds like a cop out to me. Do you want to be a victim or a survivor?

[Shewillbemine]

Took me all of 5 seconds to find this:

•Institute of Living: This organization helps ex-convicts search for employment by partnering with businesses so that they may all work together to find the best-fitting jobs. They also have vocational counselors that host annual Career and Education Fairs.
•The National H.I.R.E. Network: This group's whole mission is to help ex-convicts find their place in society. You'll need a membership to reap the benefits, but it's free. They also help you find employment search assistance in your local area. This is a goldmine of information for ex-convicts searching for jobs.
•One Stop Career Center: There is a one-stop career center in each major metropolitan area and many smaller communities throughout the United States. A partnership between federal and state job seeker assistance agencies, registering with the center in your area is a great way to jump start your job search. Meet with a counselor and be honest about your background so that the person who is trying to help you knows what you are facing. He or she will likely have contacts in the local area with employers and other resources for people who are transitioning from the criminal justice system back into the workforce.

[terces]

Served in Iraq; messed in the head...makes me wonder if the person ever applied for VA benefits. Most people i know who've gone through the process get a decent disability rating because of mental issues. Could be a small steady income for the person.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by b4freedom

By court order, you can't leave the county.

How do you survive for 5 years? What do you do?

Petition the court to waive the "out of county" restriction based on the 20% unemployment rate.

Establish some online business. Sell stuff on ebay, for example.

Mow lawns. Shovel snow. Walk dogs. Wash cars. Do whatever you can do to earn a buck.

Originally Posted by terces

Served in Iraq; messed in the head...makes me wonder if the person ever applied for VA benefits. Most people i know who've gone through the process get a decent disability rating because of mental issues. Could be a small steady income for the person.

I agree. This person is essentially a disabled vet. There are tons of benefits available through military and government agencies.

[khosta]

It's so sad that people go away to war as anormal healthy person and then some come back in a bad mental state. I wisht hat didn't have to happen to people. But if it were me I would try anything I could to find a min wage job, find low cost living, go to homeless shelters, soup kitchens... I would find a way to have a roof over my head and start a new life.

[NolaP]

Shewillbemine and terces make very good points. There are local and federal resources that serve both veterans and ex-cons, that will help you get back on your feet, find a place to live and have food to eat. With a little research and motivation, you would be able to pull yourself up again. And seek therapy as well as advice from other veterans and service members, there are a lot of veterans facing the same kind of hardships today, as sad as it is.

[jpg7n16]

1) File for unemployment

2) File for other military benefits (as described above)

3) Seek out a job placement agency specializing in military personnel

4) Take on odd jobs (as described above)

5) Work on improving myself as much as I can, because I can't change my past

6) Seek some sort of miltary position that remains US based, if other jobs fail

7) Go to local library - use computer - job placement for ex felons - Google Search

8) Keep the $2500 in cash

[Snodog]

Let me start off and admit there of course are no easy answers.

First thing I would do is take the $2,500 and buy a cheap car and move to a moderate climate such as San Diego. Once there I would use the car to live in. Winter nights can still get cool so I would buy a good sleeping bag. I would do anything to not sleep on the streets or homeless shelters. Try to find any job and definitely try to get VA benefits although I don't know how easy they are to get as 40% of homeless men are disabled vets. Don't spend any of your money on food as you can use the food stamps and if that isn't enough you can panhandle with a sign that says "need food only". Try very hard not to get addicted on illegal substances or liquor as that will make a bad situation worse.

[MrPolarZero]

Now, this seems to be a nice question. First thing I'd probably do is assess how to get the most out of the things that I have. And yeah, I would also get rid of the cellphone, since I won't be needing for now.

[terces]

Originally Posted by Snodog

and definitely try to get VA benefits although I don't know how easy they are to get as 40% of homeless men are disabled vets.

They aren't difficult to qualify for... having gone through the process myself for hubby. Hardest part is continually pursuing it and getting the paperwork in as requested. Most counties have VA resource centers that help ex-servicemen with this. PTSD is more recognized and vets do get rated on their psychological well-being at the time. I think the majority of homeless vets we see don't have the family support to assist them or are unaware all that they could qualify for. Its a government process so it takes time and initiative to get it done.

[MrPolarZero]

if no one will likely to hire you, then it's better to start your own business.

[Mr Nice Guy]

Originally Posted by erwin1230

Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of forums on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your forum. Thanks.

You have been flagged...

[asmom]

Just a quick note about the VA centers: Most counties do NOT have them especially rural ones. My father travels to Florida to get VA services, luckily he only lives just across the state line but there are others in our state for whom it would be a longer trip. If you are unable to leave the county then I can see how it would be a hardship.

[snafu]

If I were making suggestions to individual described, I'd suggest going to the library where anyone can use their computers and get on internet for free. I suggest this be your 'daytime' residence, it's warm, out of the rain, bathroom, lots to read, paper & pencils to use. I suggest researching every possible/probable agency that might offer some level of help. VA, Inn from the Cold, Homeless shelter[s], soup kitchen, Legal Aid, church from my denomination, social services, clothes [closet] for homeless. Write lists of what was needed to survive and match with research. Start at shelter, asking how to get funds for public transportation and use all their services like hair cuts, foot care and appropriate clothes. Be clear about the rules of each shelter, hours of operations, services offered. 2nd Church who may have community contacts for work/apprenticeship, support/explain Legal Aid services needed for probation limits. 3rd list every skill, What skills were acquired in the military? Which can be transferred to civilian life?

If the veteran can paint [for example], set up a painting business, advertise on Craig'slist or a specific community's bulletin board in the Food stores and senior's community centre. If they can repair vehicles, make a list of all lg. fleet places and visit each to assess possibilities of employment. If there was any kitchen work, make early visits while prep staff are organizing the day. Work district by district and follow-up/pursue any possible opening no matter the level. Everyone needs to start somewhere.

I think it is easier on one's self esteem to feel they are doing something rather than moping, letting outside environment beat you down.

[maat55]

You go to a homeless shelter for food and possible lodging, then go to a day work office and see if you can get day work.

At some point, you will get used for a job, then you work like a mule with a good attitude and possible get a full time job.