Homelessness is a big and ongoing problem in our nation. And with the economy in shambles, it is a growing problem indeed.
In this land of plenty where we offer trillions of dollars to rich people and corporations, to see people living on the street is heart-wrenching. To see people sleeping outside in the cold and the rain just blocks from the Capitol Building and the White House is just plain WRONG!
I have tried to do what I can to help through volunteering; making charitable donations and via “Filmanthropy”; and our film Kicking It which dealt with homelessness and the Homeless World Cup which brought a message of hope to millions of people via ESPN, Netflix and now SnagFilms.com. Please watch the film and donate to a homeless related cause.
And this summer, for the second year in a row, we will coordinate and manage a street soccer tournament of the homeless in downtown DC. Want to volunteer to help? Let me know.
During my work I have been honored to meet some people who live on the streets and have gotten to know them as individuals. As you would expect, I come away from these encounters with the feeling of “there but by the grace of God go I”. Many of these people are fine folks - interesting folks - all deserving of a second chance and a new opportunity. They all need a short term bail out in one form or another and with just a little attention and help, life can be better for these people. They are NOT invisible. They are a part of our community.
Here is an interesting article about a new Capitals fan, Walter Lovell. Click here. We met Walter; hosted him in the Owner’s Box; bought him some clothes; ate dinner with him; gave him some spending money; offered him some encouragement; and have gotten to know and appreciate him as a person.
Say hello to Walter next time you go to a game. Think about what you can do to help a homeless person or what we can do to help alleviate this growing problem in our country. It starts with one person at a time. Do what you can and feel blessed for what you have.
Tags: Homelessness, Kicking It, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Walter Lovell, Washington Capitals
Ted,
Good morning sir. The article on Scott is nice. Over the course of this season we’ve gotten to know Scott a bit and he’s a delightful, “glass half full” person. Your sentiments of “there but by the grace of God go I” are absolutely valid and are sentiments that my wife and I share as well. We’ve been more than blessed by taking the time to interact and get to know Scott since September. I could share pictures with you of his earnest effort to “earn his keep” that would take nearly anyone’s excuse away. It’s my hope that we’ll be at your Chalk Talk tomorrow evening.
Sincerely,
Sean
Ted, great story. I believe that if more people in a similar position as you are would take the same initiative towards those less fortunate, this group would have a better chance to change. Way to inspire and lead by example.
Mr. Leonsis,
Very interesting article. I do have to say, however, that I respectfully disagree with most of the topic. I agree it is heart-wrenching to see homeless people abound on the country’s streets and that something needs to be done. I have no problem with giving someone a second chance. The part I disagree with is what about those that were given second, third, fourth and fifth chances? In my opinion, to blanketly look at the effect and not look at the cause is quite dangerous. I believe that life is a summation of the choices one makes. Many of the people in those situations are there because of the choices they made and their situation is a result or consequence of the actions they took. This is not the case with every homeless person or family, but it is the case with many. I am young and financially responsible. I sacrifice a lot to be fiscally responsible and mature with education, savings, health, mind and body in tact. I want a lot of material things but I resist and understand that I must earn them. A good example of this is what I see happening with the current housing crisis. Sure, fraud was a big part, but what about the people and families that took out huge loans, lied about incomes and made the decisions they did? What about those that ate up all the equity in their homes (to buy more material goods) when the market was hot in 2004 and 2005 only to find themselves up the creek? I more than likely could have bought a house when credit was easy, I have the income to support it but I held back. I didn’t feel I was quite there. Unfortunately, a lot of people didn’t and they rushed into the situation without thought of consequence.
I find this to be similar to the homeless problem. Yes it is a problem, yes it is unfortunate. As we look at one side of the spectrum to aid and help, let’s not forget the other side of the spectrum of cause and choice. I think more often than not people made the choices (or lack of choices e.g. laziness, not investing in education, etc.) to put themselves in the situation they are in. Despite what the media might say, it is not heartless to say these things… it’s just realistic.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinions,
Mike
If more of us would extend a helping hand, you would see a significant reduction in homelessness and the lives of those less fortunate. And, in today’s economic times, it’s shameful that more of us don’t help those who were, just last week, our neighbors but have now lost their jobs and homes. I truly believe that with the exception of those who might be mentally unstable, homelessness cannot be anyone’s ideal for a lifestyle. And, I personally find it offensive, Mike, to say that it can be about “choices.” As if education is an option for many people, as if everyone has the same opportunities. Let’s face it…not everyone grew up with June and Ward Cleaver on Main Street in a house with the picket fence. And let’s stop blaming those who fulfilled their life long dream of owning a home and instead focus on the predatory lending industry. It must be nice to be Mike, who has made all the perfect decisions in his life, and who has had every advantage (that despite his beliefs, are not available to every single American), and can condemn those less fortunate for their laziness, buying a home without considering consequences, or not furthering their education. Homelessness in America is a real tragedy and even more so in today’s economic environment. So while Caps fans rush to the Verizon Center with their $100 playoff tickets, take a moment to show a little bit of respect, consideration and compassion for those they walk by who don’t even have a place to sleep for the night.
For Mike,
The complexity of homeless families and the paths that got them there is as diverse as our nation’s demographics - there is no one size fits all solution and nor should there be a one size fits all judgement passed upon those who are homeless.
Over 11% of the homeless go to work everyday. It is not laziness and frankly to label the homeless as lazy is denegrading. As someone who has spent the better portion of my career in affordable housing issues and working with the homeless I think our current economic crisis makes it easy to dismiss the problems that lay underneath homelessness. Homelessness at its root is caused by isolation - isolation to the very things you say would prevent homelessness - education, healthcare - both mental and physical just to name a couple. Our current housing crisis not withstanding.
And just to take your hypothesis one step further. I worked hard my entire life, like you did not buy because I felt I wasn’t quite there yet. I got an education and made choices and sacrifices to ensure I walked away from higher education with a degree and without debt. I went on to work hard, build a career and make fiscally responsible choices. I was making a strong living and raising my child with no assistance. I was laid off not because of my work product but because of circumstance of the times and changes in the organization I worked for at the time. I spent nearly a year unemployeed and was left with nearly nothing at the end of that year. It was not due to laziness, choices that would have changed my circumstances nor was there blame - it was life and it happened. I was lucky because I never feared living on the streets with my child. I had family and friends to lean on when things were difficult. I had a supportive child care center that worked with me. I was on the brink of financial ruin when I did find another job. The difference from me being homeless and OK was access to help and a support system to assist me weather the storm. That’s what I mean when I say MANY if not most families who wind up homeless are so because they are isolated in one form or another.
Bootstraps and blame will not help us end the homeless crisis in this country. The homeless were a significant problem long before the housing boom/bust we have encountered in the last 18 months. It is only gaining a light shone on it because of the dramatic increases we are seeing in the middle class joining the ranks of the working poor.
To Lisa,
I have said nothing about a lack of respect, I have merely stated that looking at one end of the spectrum (the effect) without looking at the cause is pretty naive and dangerous. And with me, no I am sorry, I grew up in quite unideal situations.
My mother had me when she was 15 and my dad fled to California when I was born. I lived in various orphanages, homes, with relatives, grandparents, etc. growing up. I went to public schools (which is available to everyone) right up until when I graduate high school. When I turned 18, without the money for college, I joined the military because I was given the opportunity to EARN my college money. I never touched alcohol or drugs and excelled in the military. From there I went to school and started a small time graphic design and computer design company.
The thing you fail to recognize is that in America, EVERYONE does have an opportunity. It is their CHOICE how they handle it and the CHOICES they make (be irresponsible, do drugs, gamble, etc) is what leads to the situation they are in for the vast majority. Again, I am saying nothing about no respect or love or care, I am saying it is dangerous to NOT acknowledge PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for those who succeed AND those who don’t. Again, it’s not heartless, it’s realistic.
To echo the comments above, I so much admire how you give back and lead by example - whether it’s as an e-Buddy or through the Hoop Dreams Foundation, or starting SnagFilms or working to alleviate homeless in DC, just to name a few. It’s really quite remarkable.
Ted,
I can not tell you how good it made us feel to introduce Walter to hockey. And, our action was “Inspired By You”.
Dear Mr. Leonsis,
Several weeks ago, my wife, Brenda, told me about a random act of kindness that you showed to a stranger in or near Union Station. In short, apparently you gave from your heart and wallet to a man who was without shoes, and you trusted him to replace his shoes with your act of generosity.
Well, we are full-season ticket holders and are met every game night by this nice homeless man in a wheel chair who is always “rocking the red” at the corner of G Street & 7th, across from Clyde’s. He’s always been friendly and never intimidating in any way. On February 24, while waiting on the corner to cross the street, we were speaking with the man. He told us that his birthday was on Thursday, February 26. In conversation with the man, who is named Scott, he told us that he watches the games on the big screen outside the arena, from his wheelchair, but has never been to a hockey game live.
Remembering your act of kindness, Brenda and I decided to invite Scott to the game on Thursday, February 26, vs. Atlanta, which just so happened to be his 48th Birthday. We purchased a handicapped ticket to accommodate his wheelchair, brought him in when the gates opened at 6pm, bought him dinner and showed him to his seating area.
Before the game, during intermissions, and after the game we shared some very insightful conversation with Scott. Because we were able to see Scott from our seats in Section 100, it was clear that he had a great time. For us, he was the Caps Fan of the Game.
It made us realize just how fortunate we are in so many ways.
It was a most rewarding evening for us to make Scott’s birthday more than just another normal evening of watching the game on the marquis outside in his wheelchair from the corner.
Thank you, Sir, for the inspiration.
Respectfully,
Gary Sabo and Brenda Metzger
And, yes, we did get to know Walter “Scott”, as well as yourself and the real man that you are.
Thanks.
>>> The thing you fail to recognize is that in America, EVERYONE does have an opportunity. It is their CHOICE how they handle it and the CHOICES they make (be irresponsible, do drugs, gamble, etc) is what leads to the situation they are in for the vast majority. Again, I am saying nothing about no respect or love or care, I am saying it is dangerous to NOT acknowledge PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for those who succeed AND those who don’t. Again, it’s not heartless, it’s realistic.<<<
I realize you were not responding to my post, but wanted to respond to this assertion around personal choice and personal responsibility. Choice and personal responsibility are not a cause and effect that is cut and dry. We all have paths that take us through life and our choices certainly guide that path. However there are circumstances that DO in fact impact and at times redirect our course in life. It is not cut and dry and people’s circumstances are fluid and can change. People who have been impacted by natural disasters and left homeless struggle to rebuild and some can’t without assistance/resources beyond themselves. A great example of someone whose choices led him to prosperity was also homeless. Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness) was homeless for a year with a young child, struggling, working and trying to make a better life. In that year he was isolated and without access to resources that would better his situation. Life is filled with hard choices - he was able to come out of that challenging time and I just refuse to believe he was better off going through the horrors of sleeping on trains rather than having a safe haven for his son every night of that year he was struggling, working and building for a better life. People in life can make all the right choices and have things go wrong, have periods of struggle. My issue with your characterization of the homeless is that these are a group of people who have, through their choices created their situations and therefore do not deserve the compassion of assistance to navigate out (You inference drugs and gambling as an example). This is simply not the case for all and certainly not for the majority. Having worked with these populations, I know first hand this is NOT the case. Again, homelessness is a complex issue that has many roads that lead to it. And while poor choices account for some of this population it is not reflective of the whole. Choice and personal responsibility are important as we address this issue. But equally important are compassion and understanding what that root cause is, only then will we successfully navigate out of the tragedy that is millions of children sleeping on the streets of the wealthiest nation in the world.
Ted, thank you so much for writing this and for all that you do! It’s so important to speak out about injustice and to say that this is wrong, and it’s especially important coming from someone with your stature. There is no reason for people to have to be homeless in a country as wealthy and fortunate as ours. We can end and prevent homelessness if we invest the resources, especially in creating and ensuring that there is enough affordable housing for people who are poor, work that pays enough to afford housing, and health care and other services. But, this takes political will, and that has been lacking. Advocacy is essential, and speaking out by you and others who care can help make this the priority it needs to be.
Maria