https://open.spotify.com/episode/4klxdFPibmXZ2M4exwC7Hx?si=QU5DXTeHS7-JZr6j28oMKg

Christ in the City is an outreach program in Denver that helps homeless people on the street. One of the common questions they get asked is, ‘Why don’t the homeless get a job?’. In this podcast, they explain some of the reality on the ground. Here are some of my notes -

• Homeless are in a survival mentality, unlike most of the fortunate (us) are in a striving mentality.
• Those who want to get a job need -
  • Logistics - Most people live in shelters or on the street and have to get food at a different locations. They are in a survival mentality and can’t plan to get a job.
  • ID - which is probably stolen and takes about eight weeks for a replacement in some cities
  • An address is essential for most applications, jobs, government aid, etc.
    • In Denver, the outreach provides an address that the homeless can use
  • Phones - The Homeless go into homelessness with a phone. However often end up losing it. What we take for granted becomes immensely difficult for those without a phone
• Some people prefer homelessness
  • because they don’t love themselves
  • you have to stop and ask yourself why someone would choose that
  • does our love stop when we don’t agree with somebody? Should it be conditional? Should we stop outreach if the person doesn’t want to get a job? The answer is no; they continue helping the people on the street.

Why Don't the Homeless Just Get a Job