SFist: Scene from a Tender Moment

The Angry Young Man

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:03:48 -0800

That cat must be taken away from that homeless person post haste. She's holding it wrong and where does she keep it's litter box? In her shopping cart? I can imagine the hidden turds this cat undoubtedly leaves in every planter between Powell and Polk. Unacceptable. We should frisk every homeless before they enter this feel good hootenanny and seize and impound their pets.

setinherways

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:38:15 -0800

@dantsea "Because if this is all angel food cake and blowjobs, I got a problem with it." Thanks for the giggle.

notahater

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:24:43 -0800

I was a volunteer yesterday at PHC at the check-in station and sat down with individuals and assisted with selecting services. Most wanted medical, dental, vision, housing, legal and/or employment assistance. Some just wanted to have a meal and get a personal hygiene kit or have their wheelchair serviced. Only a handful I met (if that) were interested in acupuncture or massage, and it certainly wasn't their first priority.

dantsea

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:20:49 -0800

Thanks. So this happens for one day, once a month? I see the last of the massages were done in July and the acupuncture was done in June and from the numbers provided, I'd assume that's one or two people volunteering their time. So yeah, not really that outrageous to me. And I don't have a problem with the haircuts, really. The rest of the numbers are depressing and I thank the Universal Aggregate that I don't have to make use of those services, but I'm glad that they're there for people that need them -- even if some of them do seem frivolous or unnecessary to people like us.

hollyMmm

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:09:12 -0800

here it lists all services provided at PHC events, which appear to happen almost monthly (!): http://projecthomelessconnect.com/AboutUs/index.php/homelessconnect/results.html

dantsea

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:51:00 -0800

What I meant to say was: I honestly don't know much about PHC. Do they provide those services exclusively? Do they receive grants to provide massages, haircuts and acupuncture to the homeless? Or are those services offered by professionals volunteering their own time and resources to the organization? Because if this is all angel food cake and blowjobs, I got a problem with it. But if these are additional volunteer services being offered during events where vital and required and essential services are offered, then not so much.

dantsea

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:45:05 -0800

So those are the only services provided by PHC?

bluecanary

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:37:11 -0800

And I'm siding with Hollymmm on this one. Accupuncture and massage? Another reason SF is looked upon as a laughingstock, which ticks me off, because SF does a lot of good things but it's stories like this that undermines all of it.

bluecanary

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:26:14 -0800

@lanersq. Thanks.

dantsea

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:22:59 -0800

Yeah, it's a nonstop vacation on the streets of San Francisco.

hollyMmm

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:14:05 -0800

@lard: no, they don't "deserve" those things. they deserve food, shelter and psychological help (to whatever extent it may or may not be needed). maybe the free "comforts" you think the homeless deserve is a partial reason why SF is home to about 5,000 of them.

lanersg

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:12:12 -0800

@bluecanary - Animal Control accepts contributions of pet food year round. http://www.sfgov.org/site/acc_index.asp?id=54471

missiondweller

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:08:56 -0800

Completely stupid San Francisco feel-good measures. They don't need accupuncture or messages. Provide showers, laundry services and out-reach.

withak

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:59:43 -0800

They might deserve haircuts. Acupuncture and massage, no.

lardtub

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:57:54 -0800

good job holly. yeah, because people who live on the street don't deserve haircuts or comforts. am i coming across as annoyed at your bitchy comments?

bluecanary

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:54:07 -0800

Out of curiosity, is there a group here in the city that does some sort of food bank type thing for the pets of the homeless? I find nothing online.

lanersg

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:50:58 -0800

I just have to say puuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrty princess.

hollyMmm

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:48:24 -0800

did i come across as jealous? i meant to come across as disgusted. clarification for you: Free massages, haircuts and acupuncture...what a fucking joke.

MannyOrtez

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:34:50 -0800

Yeah -- only catch is that you gotta live outside. Still jealous? Ass.

hollyMmm

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:07:04 -0800

Free massages, haircuts and acupuncture. Wow.