This is one situation that will not go away, nor will it get any better, if we simply stick our heads in the proverbial sand and wait. I've seen a steady increase of new faces all summer and even some of the old-timer homeless here say they've never seen so many folks living on the streets.
Scary as hell let me tell you, and these folks are the typical "homeless" one thinks of when one thinks of the Homeless, either. I've seen a lot more women and a a rise in families who all live out on the street, under bridges, in their cars, and in the Homeless encampments dotting the Nashville underbrush....
Friddle: Homeless Can’t Be Ignored
By GABE WELLS
POSTED: September 3, 2007
WHEELING — The busy ladies in the kitchen may not have noticed, but Sister Constance Dodd was taken aback by what she saw.
Dodd has fed tens of thousands of needy people in her role as the director of the Catholic Neighborhood Center in East Wheeling, but she’s never seen so many people in need of the organization’s services.
“I’m sure it’s been gradual, but the last few evenings at supper I thought, ‘wow,’” Dodd said. “There’s been a dramatic increase in the number of people here to eat. I’ve had to add tables.”
Dodd and Maj. Thomas Friddle, commander of the Wheeling Salvation Army, are concerned with what they believe to be an increase in poverty and homelessness in the Wheeling area. Friddle has served the organization for 25 years, the last four of those in the Friendly City. Friddle said he has noticed a “progression of homelessness” that includes a younger population and more women.
He said those people are struggling to find jobs, and the homeless people employed are working in part-time or minimum-wage jobs with no benefits. Increased costs for gasoline and utilities has contributed to the problem, he said.
“In past years, the majority of homeless people in the area were single men,” Friddle said. “More and more women and entire families are homeless and seeking assistance. For the first time in at least three summers, we’re full. We have been at capacity since the first of May, and it’s unusual for us to be full in the summer.”
Friddle said the Salvation Army used to offer meals to those seeking shelter. He said, because of the increasing homeless population, he struck a deal with Sister Constance and the Catholic Neighborhood Center.
“I said, ‘You feed them, and I’ll put them to bed,’” Friddle said.
Dodd was reluctant to comment on the city’s homeless population, but she said poverty is on the rise, in her opinion. She said the hungry people who come to Catholic Charities for meals may not be homeless, but they surely are in need.
“Some of them are working and waiting for the next check to come, and they simply don’t have food for their children,” Dodd said. “They have to choose between utilities and food.
“There’s been a tremendous rise in poverty. We positively have several homeless, and it certainly has increased. But, poverty has increased more. Another sign is that we’ve had to help kids with clothing and school supplies far more (this year) than in the past.”
The homeless in Wheeling may not only be in need, they may also be in danger. In June, a “homeless camp” in the area of 19th Street was discovered by city police who responded there after finding a homeless person had been beaten. There were empty bottles, clothes and trash in the area, and it appeared the homeless had been sleeping on old doors or portions of fencing.
At that time, Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department Health Officer Dr. William Mercer said he believes there are up to four homeless camps in Wheeling. He said those camps move regularly. Mercer said a “subgroup” of 10-20 homeless people in the city do not seek shelter or help from groups that offer it because they likely suffer from mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction.
Friddle said there are many ways in which Wheeling and local residents can help. He said linens, clothing, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, workable and useable household items and furniture are always accepted at the Salvation Army on 16th Street.
“There is a homeless problem, and we can’t pretend it’s not there,” Friddle said.
This is one situation that will not go away, nor will it get any better, if we simply stick our heads in the proverbial sand and wait. I've seen a steady increase of new faces all summer and even some of the old-timer homeless here say they've never seen so many folks living on the streets.
Scary as hell let me tell you, and these folks are the typical "homeless" one thinks of when one thinks of the Homeless, either. I've seen a lot more women and a a rise in families who all live out on the street, under bridges, in their cars, and in the Homeless encampments dotting the Nashville underbrush....
Friddle: Homeless Can’t Be Ignored
By GABE WELLS
POSTED: September 3, 2007
WHEELING — The busy ladies in the kitchen may not have noticed, but Sister Constance Dodd was taken aback by what she saw.
Dodd has fed tens of thousands of needy people in her role as the director of the Catholic Neighborhood Center in East Wheeling, but she’s never seen so many people in need of the organization’s services.
“I’m sure it’s been gradual, but the last few evenings at supper I thought, ‘wow,’” Dodd said. “There’s been a dramatic increase in the number of people here to eat. I’ve had to add tables.”
Dodd and Maj. Thomas Friddle, commander of the Wheeling Salvation Army, are concerned with what they believe to be an increase in poverty and homelessness in the Wheeling area. Friddle has served the organization for 25 years, the last four of those in the Friendly City. Friddle said he has noticed a “progression of homelessness” that includes a younger population and more women.
He said those people are struggling to find jobs, and the homeless people employed are working in part-time or minimum-wage jobs with no benefits. Increased costs for gasoline and utilities has contributed to the problem, he said.
“In past years, the majority of homeless people in the area were single men,” Friddle said. “More and more women and entire families are homeless and seeking assistance. For the first time in at least three summers, we’re full. We have been at capacity since the first of May, and it’s unusual for us to be full in the summer.”
Friddle said the Salvation Army used to offer meals to those seeking shelter. He said, because of the increasing homeless population, he struck a deal with Sister Constance and the Catholic Neighborhood Center.
“I said, ‘You feed them, and I’ll put them to bed,’” Friddle said.
Dodd was reluctant to comment on the city’s homeless population, but she said poverty is on the rise, in her opinion. She said the hungry people who come to Catholic Charities for meals may not be homeless, but they surely are in need.
“Some of them are working and waiting for the next check to come, and they simply don’t have food for their children,” Dodd said. “They have to choose between utilities and food.
“There’s been a tremendous rise in poverty. We positively have several homeless, and it certainly has increased. But, poverty has increased more. Another sign is that we’ve had to help kids with clothing and school supplies far more (this year) than in the past.”
The homeless in Wheeling may not only be in need, they may also be in danger. In June, a “homeless camp” in the area of 19th Street was discovered by city police who responded there after finding a homeless person had been beaten. There were empty bottles, clothes and trash in the area, and it appeared the homeless had been sleeping on old doors or portions of fencing.
At that time, Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department Health Officer Dr. William Mercer said he believes there are up to four homeless camps in Wheeling. He said those camps move regularly. Mercer said a “subgroup” of 10-20 homeless people in the city do not seek shelter or help from groups that offer it because they likely suffer from mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction.
Friddle said there are many ways in which Wheeling and local residents can help. He said linens, clothing, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, workable and useable household items and furniture are always accepted at the Salvation Army on 16th Street.
“There is a homeless problem, and we can’t pretend it’s not there,” Friddle said.
