Yesterday, I turned 55. As I sat in my motel room after four nights respite from the latest Arctic blast, provided by the generosity of my sponsors, I realized that the best way for me to celebrate would be to donate the $100 deposit I’d made to that motel.
(BTW, it’s a sad world in which you can pay cash for a room up front and create suspicion in the minds of the innkeeper, who then wants another hundred bucks to cover potential damages).
Anyway, after checking out at the front desk and pocketing my deposit money, I rode the SKIP up to Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. I got there after 8AM, so only staff and a few program residents doing chores were still around. I recounted the hundred $1 bills, and obtained a receipt signed by a staff member on which I indicated that this donation was for Boulder County Cares.
I see nothing remarkable in this, even though I’m one of the poorest homeless people living here in Boulder — no SSDI/SSI monthly check, no Colorado AND or food stamps, and no pay for what I do online here. If they were only willing, many more homeless people could give back to worthy causes, as I try to do as often as I can.
Then I thought: Boulder Shelter ought to require everyone who is seeking a bunk in the emergency overnight shelter from October 15th through April 30th to pay one dollar.
That’s all, $1 for each night they receive shelter/services at BSH. There are many homeless shelters around America who do charge this fee (for lack of a better term), including City Union Mission back in Kansas City. To my knowledge, nobody there was unable to come up with a buck; why can’t those using BSH make the same meager payment?
Do the arithmetic; with an average of 100 homeless people per night using the emergency overnight shelter for 6 1/2 months, the $1 fee could add about $20,000 to the budget at BSH. (Program residents are paying $25 per week already).
It’s a certainty in my mind that everyone can afford $1 per night. I see ‘em every day spending their disposable income on cigarettes, booze, dope, etc. With no other choice, I’m sure they will save $1 to get into BSH at night. It’s a matter of setting priorities — and a teachable moment besides.
It adds up quickly!
I won’t hold my breath, however, waiting for this idea to be embraced. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Boulder’s homeless shelter/services industry, it’s that there is a misguided and pigheaded leadership in charge, dedicated to preserving the status quo.
Ain’t nothin’ progressive about ‘em . . .
Another great idea. And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAX!!!