Imagine! A theater stage, lights dimmed, celebrity judges sitting in the front row, the audience behind them, all waiting for the first homeless person to appear.
What attitude will he or she have? And, most importantly, will they be able to score points with the people at home so they will cast a vote, and the homeless will get a shot to be in the finals and perhaps even win the show?
“Adopt a homeless person” could be the newest reality TV show to entertain the American audience.
What a marvelous business idea, because let’s face it, we don’t have enough reality shows right now. We need another one.
The adopters of the homeless? Of course, famous celebrities and rich individuals, perhaps even politicians with a heart (or mission) all participate in the show to adopt a homeless person for one year, to guide them back into the extraordinary life of normality.
Presenting them housing (of course far away from their own neighborhood) giving them food, perhaps a job, and of course a general makeover first, because let’s face it, some of them don’t look and smell too good.
During the year, the lucky homeless is filmed by a camera crew, with short regular intervals of commercials, because after all, in all reality, these reality shows are a business.
On stage in the theater, the blessed homeless who have made it into the arena will have to show a special skill or talent. Dancing and singing are always much appreciated. Let’s not forget it’s entertainment for the masses. Adopt a homeless, could be the next much-loved family show.
Imagine, we, the people at home, casting a vote by phone for a pour soul, while sitting in our overstuffed chairs, in our cozy homes, popping another beer can, and munching on our chips and chocolates.
We will show our generosity with one phone call!
For one year, the lucky winner will be guarded and guided, shown around like a trick pony, the rest of them, well, sadly, they will have to crawl back into their tents and cardboard boxes. But there is a silver lining even for them. There will be more seasons of “Adopt a Homeless” when they too can try out again to be the lucky homeless for one year.
***Sarcasm mode off***
If you have read to here, then you will have figured out that I don’t mean any of this, quite the contrary. My heart gets heavy when I see all the people living in the tents, and families sleeping in their cars. I want to scream at our public servants to finally serve all -not just a few.
We have empty malls, empty buildings, empty hotels. For heaven’s sake, it’s not that complicated to find a solution if one is willing to do so.
Don’t make this fictional reality show come true, please.
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It’s quite contrary that two classes doing their job, one is trying to hide the truth from the people yet people’s accounts are visible to all government members.
yes and depending on which side you are routing for, the other one is always wrong 🙂
I’m not sure about your location, but I’m in Australia where we’re facing a growing homeless problem. My wife and I frequently discuss the possibility of using our vacant old hotels to provide housing for those in need. While we occasionally give money to help, we recognize it’s not the ideal solution.
We live in the US but homelessness seems to be a global problem and it’s not going away on its own. I read about a hotel owner in Germany, who opened her hotel for the homeless during COVID and reading about her experiences and what she learned from it was so interesting.
I think you are on the right track.
The stark reality of homelessness deserves genuine attention and solutions. Well said! #RealityCheck
It’s a reality so many don’t want to see. I see it because I came close to being homeless. It changed me and my outlook.
Your perspective adds depth to the reality many choose to overlook. Experiencing the edge can reshape us and open our eyes to a world many never truly understand. Grateful for your openness and insight. 🌟
The saying ” you have to walk in a man’s shoes ” proves to be spot on:-)
So true.
A deeper problem than the homeless problem is the compassion problem. We are in danger of losing all our compassion. As the number of homeless people rises we become more and more oblivious to our neighbors who are suffering. We need to notice, take action of some kind. What action? Get in touch with our compassion and act. The government is not our compassion.
Sadly, you are right. I fear many of us have lost compassion. I had to relearn it myself.
Sad all around 😢 😢
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I’m currently homeless, fortunate enough to have a fouton in my great-aunt’s basement. Reading your blog post really brought a smile to my face, knowing that there are people out there that recognize the problem and have realistic solutions! I love the mall idea! My great-aunt and I talk all the time about how many homes are empty, big-box stores that closed, etc. The number of apartments in NYC that go unlived in each year because they’re owned purely for the property values is outrageous!
We don’t have a homeless problem, we have a hoarding problem in this country.
I am so sorry you are homeless. Please follow my blog!
You are not homeless, you are houseless. Big difference. I am glad you can sleep at your Aunt’s house.
Do you have a job? We have been houseless once ourselves. Work yourself out of it and IF you might have an addiction problem, please get help.
I’m currently working part-time. I’m not able to put more than part-time hours into work because of some disabilities that I have. I’m going through the process of applying for SSDI, but it’s a long process. I’m thankful to my aunt for allowing me to stay at her place during this time.
I am in recovery, went through a treatment program. I’ve been clean for several months now, which is a good feeling. It’s a challenge each day, but the treatment I went through gave me a lot of coping skills that I hadn’t had previously.
I’m slowly digging myself out of the hole I’m in. The most crucial part is that it takes time. I wish it could be resolved overnight. Most things cannot. So, patience and persistence is what I keep reminding myself.
Normally I don’t make advertisement for it, but if you want to read my “Loosing it all” story about how we lost everything we had and started all over new. It’s on my blog, categories “Loosing it all” in Installments, so far from 1 to 35 to be continued. 🙂
I will definitely take a look! Thank you for sharing! It’s very helpful to know that you’re not the only one who has struggled. It’s a reminder that I can pull myself out of this well I found myself in. Thanks again. 🙂
I still like the idea of taking all the abandoned old empty shopping malls in the US and turning them into affordable housing. The buildings are just sitting there decaying… they could protect and home many!
Imagine what kind of senior center they could be. They have escalators, elevators, A/C and heat. Entrees that can be locked. So many possibilities. Sadly…it’s us the average people who see it.
Given the popularity of channels on YouTube like Soft White Underbelly (which actually gives a wonderful and respectful stage to stories of ao the homeless and forgotten), I think that it’s only a matter of time before popular media sees money in the despair…
I am surprised by very little nowadays, and that saddens me!
It was fiction, Peter. Made up by me because I fear we are not far from it.
Yes, I understood that, but it would not surprise me to see such a programme! Who would have thought there would be such a TV show as “Naked Attraction”?
I thought you were joking, but turns out you are not. I just looked it up. That’s bad taste.
It’s a strange thing that government seems unable to act. Every problem seems too complicated and yet with a will, I don’t believe it is.
If there is a war on soldiers are billeted in big houses, hospitals set up in big buildings. Treat it as an emergency. After a war pre fab homes are put up, why can’t it be done?
I liked the sarcasm in your post.
Unfortunately it is a sad and increasingly serious problem, even here in Italy
Your sarcasm rang through loud and clear, nonetheless, many a true word is said in jest. I fully agree that there is merit in connecting WITH the homeless when helping to find a solution that could assist them find a path to the future and, at the very least, provide a roof over their heads.
sad but true!! been there, but I have a stable roof over my head now and am ever the more grateful for it because of the previous lack. Double edged sword having to learn everything the hard way…
I have been there myself. I was never homeless but we were houseless and lived with a friend for six months. Perhaps that’s why I get so sarcastic?
Thank you for stopping by.
hahah, yes I can totally relate to the sarcastic, bitter kind of viewpoint of the whole situation. there is a dire need to remedy the issue because every human deserves a home that has a bit of privacy, security and comfort to be found within it. I feel it is a basic right, yet this world sees only a pay to play model. You’re poking at the problem and the hilarious fix is almost worrisome, as I think too many may actually bite at that carrot and promote a shallow version of this for “charity likes” but at this point, something like that would at least draw attention to the true issue LOL
One problem is that each level of government is spending more time blaming the other for the situation, rather than solving it. Also, the one size fits all approach does not work. Sure, we have shelter beds, but most homeless do not feel safe in shelters, they can’t take their possessions and pets inside and they are separated from their partners. Someone needs to sit down with each person and listen to what they need….and then go about delivering it. Here, they just closed 8 high risk camps and today we are in the middle of a cold weather advisory. And the cycle spins around another time. Allan
“One fits all” doesn’t even work with socks. 🙂
I work with homeless women in shelters where they feel save. Most of the women left an abusive relationship. To make a shelter save that should be the first priority. Lockers where they can store their belongings without worrying if the little they have will be gone in the morning. Security guards, security cameras, it’s not complicated but it costs money.
We don’t even try to find solutions, that’s where the problem starts. They are not important enough as a target group. Most of them don’t vote, so why waste time on them?