PADS shelter proposal not welcomed by some Park Ridge residents

Des Plaines Resident wrote:

We have had a PADS shelter in Des Plaines for years. I have never heard of any problems. But then of course I would be lumped into the Des Plaines trash category.

I'm not trying to offend you or anything but Des Plaines is not in the same league as Park Ridge. I know it, you know. You guys would probably benefit from the shelter, and you did.
I'm going to get flamed for this, but this is the truth. We in Park Ridge have to pay more for our homes than others, and we pay higher property taxes than others. There's a certain thing you expect when you move into this city. Now before the rest of you start jumping on your keyboards let me explain and it makes sense. If you go to a fancy restaurant your going to pay more than at Denny's. The reason your paying more is for the name, quality, and service. So when you go there, you expect to get your $50 worth. If you go to Denny's and spend $7 your not going to expect any of that compared to a 5 star restaurant. Now, if you go to a restaurant and pay $50 for a meal and the service and quality is the same as Denny's then everyone is going to complain. That's what this shelter is. FIRST of all, I wouldn't have a problem with it IF there was a need to help the homeless in this community. There isn't (and don't tell me that there is. I live here and I know.) Now if there was some sort of evidence to back this up with... SECOND of all, if you put a shelter like this in Winnetka or Skokie what kind of backlash(yes, black lash not support) would there be? Great than Park Ridge, that's for sure.
We all want to live in the best place possible, why bring that down with an unnecessary homeless shelter that will be eating away at fund since it won't be used? How about putting it in a community where it is needed? Help the actual problem there and not bring up PADS's numbers so they can add another city to their list. Next, I propose a country club in the ghetto.(Joke, lighten up).

Des Plaines Resident wrote:

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Please explain. Obviously if you have always 'heard' you're not from the area. For me to point out the outright selfish close minded actions of my neighbors I am therefor, in your words a jerk perpetuating a stereotype?

You could have just stopped at jerk...Or maybe a judgemental jerk.

I know two homeless people, they both did stupid things..lost her house because she kept refinancing and refused to work, went to all the local churches for food and help with utilities. I am sorry that she gets food stamps, chooses to work below the cut off so she gets benefits..they other one abused drugs and is lazy..go to PADS, they don't want to work and are happy to get that "free" meal..offer them a job and they don't want it!

Des Plaines Resident wrote:

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Please explain. Obviously if you have always 'heard' you're not from the area. For me to point out the outright selfish close minded actions of my neighbors I am therefor, in your words a jerk perpetuating a stereotype?

Congratulations. Now you understand!

This is really sad. Those who oppose this ministry are those who are blinded by their lifestyle, their ignorance and their belief that this will never happen to them. You know even the rich are going to feel the burden of our down sliding economy. I hope those who vocally oppose this shelter have not over-extended themselves financially, do not have investments tumbling, and are not at risk of job loss. In this economy - even those who are highly qualified and educated will have trouble securing a job - competing with those fresh out of college willing to take a position for far less money and benefits. Your naive stable position could get rocked and if it does - will you be able to humble yourself and ask for help? AND, will those who offer free services turn their back on you because of your spewed hate?

Did you know there is a shelter in Inverness and their median income of residents far exceeds that of Park Ridge? Did you know they even pay more taxes than you? Did you know that they did not fight against a shelter in their community - instead they truly educated themselves on the issue and realized that the benefit far outweighed the risk? Did you also know that Arlington Heights is comparable to Park Ridge in median income? Did you know their tax base is the same? Did you know that they have six shelters in their community? These shelters are administered by a very professional organization known as Journeys from PADS to HOPE. They work very closely with Police Departments and quite frankly, my experience is that when they have services in a community it is better for it. Do communities have problems with homelessness and all that comes with it regardless if there is a shelter there - Yes! Of course! Why? Because when people don't have homes their problems are exposed. Do communities have problems with their residents? Yes! Even in Park Ridge. Park Ridge has had murders to deal with, gang issues, unruly teens, break-ins, vandalism and the whole gamut of human ugly - just like any other place. There are currently 4 sex offenders in Park Ridge that are housed. One sexually abused a 9 year old when he was 29. One raped an 84 year old woman when he was 47. One indecently solicited a 13 year old when he was 43. And the last great resident of Park Ridge engaged in a sex act with a 13 year old when he was 31. Do other communities have more sexual deviants - Yes! Do some communities have less - sure! These are housed people. Guess what - a criminal sexual conviction excludes someone from being part of the PADS ministry. Does it exclude someone from buying a home in your community?

A homeless shelter not welcomed by SOME Park Ridge residents. I can't believe this misleading article, it should have said ALL Park Ridge residents.

OK...this is unbelievable! Opening a shelter one day a week 30 weeks a year is so little compared to what could potentially be done to serve this population. Journeys from PADS to HOPE people...why not really do something and call this city's bluff...go through the special use as a 501(c) 3 instead of simply support a churches ministry and open a fixed site year round shelter right in the beautiful city of Park Ridge. You have pro-bono attorneys, you have sued a village before and won...go for it and then they will realize they should have been more generous with their city to those less fortunate.

To all of you who think this is such a wonderful idea, 1. call your church and ask them to invite PADS there and if they are already there increase the capacity and, 2. open YOUR house to a few homeless people; once you do that you will be qualified to tell me, a Park Ridge resident, what to do.

In response to Wondering...
1)I am living in a community that has PADS here. In fact, I also was one of the corporate leaders that brought the homeless summit to Arlington Heights which later became HOPE NOW - and later by merging with NW Suburban PADS - became Journeys from PADS to HOPE. I do attend a church that is a PADS Site.
2)I have also hosted a holiday homeless meal at my place of business and donate food to the center.
To avoid your next attack...I am not a minister - I do not attend church regularly - and I am not a bible quoter - I am not a liberal Democrate either...all accusations of those who oppose.
On the contrary, I am voting Republican, I have a nice sized income, I live in an affluent neighborhood - similar to many in Park Ridge, and I care about my property value.
I think the difference with us is that I am not fearful of the unknown. You have an opinion about something you have not personally expeienced. By your own admission, you live in a city where there is no homeless shelter. I live in a town where there is one.
"I AM QUALIFIED TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO" based on your qualifications. However, I would never attempt to tell someone what they should do. I simply ask you to open your mind and really look at this with a calm approach. You are actually fearful of something that truly has not affected my property value, has not brought more crime to my town, and in fact has given those who struggle on many levels a place to go during the day and night that is a far better option than my parks, train stations and libraries.

Outraged wrote:

These are difficult times. Many of us are stressed and feeling pretty unsettled...

Imagine how the homeless must feel.

NW Suburbs wrote:

For all the ignorant people complaining about the homeless causing problems in your area, I guarantee that the majority of them are NOT PADS clients. Spend one night or morning serving at a PADS site and you will know what I am saying is true. The majority of PADS clients have jobs, many have children and many just lost their homes. The majority have no criminal record. They are people, just like you and me, who are down on their luck and doing their best to get back on their feet. They deserve our help, kindness and compassion - not scorn and disgust.

I volunteer once a month at my church when they host PADS and I concur. The PADS clients are good people, deserving of our compassion.

Wondering wrote:

To all of you who think this is such a wonderful idea, 1. call your church and ask them to invite PADS there and if they are already there increase the capacity and, 2. open YOUR house to a few homeless people; once you do that you will be qualified to tell me, a Park Ridge resident, what to do.

Done and done. In fact, I have a homeless person spending nearly every weekend at my home.

Invite PADS to your town. You'll be richer than ever for your compassion.

Cant we get along wrote:

...I am voting Republican...

Nobody is perfect. ; )

Peace.

Cant we get along wrote:

In response to Wondering...
1)I am living in a community that has PADS here. In fact, I also was one of the corporate leaders that brought the homeless summit to Arlington Heights which later became HOPE NOW - and later by merging with NW Suburban PADS - became Journeys from PADS to HOPE. I do attend a church that is a PADS Site.
2)I have also hosted a holiday homeless meal at my place of business and donate food to the center.
To avoid your next attack...I am not a minister - I do not attend church regularly - and I am not a bible quoter - I am not a liberal Democrate either...all accusations of those who oppose.
On the contrary, I am voting Republican, I have a nice sized income, I live in an affluent neighborhood - similar to many in Park Ridge, and I care about my property value.
I think the difference with us is that I am not fearful of the unknown. You have an opinion about something you have not personally expeienced. By your own admission, you live in a city where there is no homeless shelter. I live in a town where there is one.
"I AM QUALIFIED TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO" based on your qualifications. However, I would never attempt to tell someone what they should do. I simply ask you to open your mind and really look at this with a calm approach. You are actually fearful of something that truly has not affected my property value, has not brought more crime to my town, and in fact has given those who struggle on many levels a place to go during the day and night that is a far better option than my parks, train stations and libraries.

I definitely disagree with you, but you seem to be a person of character. At least you, unlike most posters here, walk the walk. I don't think it is right for anyone who has not had those same experiences, to be critical of the people of Park Ridge. I grew up there and I know that area...I think if it were not right on top of a residential area, people would be more accepting...I too, am Catholic (a pretty good one - I think anyway) and I would not want this right next door to my home either...I don't think that makes me a bad person, just trying to avoid extra risk for my family.

CBD wrote:

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I definitely disagree with you, but you seem to be a person of character. At least you, unlike most posters here, walk the walk. I don't think it is right for anyone who has not had those same experiences, to be critical of the people of Park Ridge. I grew up there and I know that area...I think if it were not right on top of a residential area, people would be more accepting...I too, am Catholic (a pretty good one - I think anyway) and I would not want this right next door to my home either...I don't think that makes me a bad person, just trying to avoid extra risk for my family.

Criminal checks are done on PADS clients. They must present a PADS issued ID when checking in. They must adhere to the rules and work / job search schedule or they are forced out of the program. These are good people who do not cause any problems. Can you say the same of the people that buy homes in your community? Please learn about PADS before you make snap judgments about things you have no idea about.

This just prooves how ignorantly prejudiced so many people are. It's a sad day when someone would feel scorn towards their brethren who are down on their luck.

And this is the worst case of NIMBY I have ever heard of.

Instead of judging the Park Ridge residents, close your mouths and open YOUR homes to these unfortunate homeless, volunteer YOUR time and money, and give them a job babysitting YOUR children and grandchildren. Then maybe you will have earned the right to post a criticism. I will not hold my breath waiting.

Cast the Christian stones wrote:

Instead of judging the Park Ridge residents, close your mouths and open YOUR homes to these unfortunate homeless, volunteer YOUR time and money, and give them a job babysitting YOUR children and grandchildren. Then maybe you will have earned the right to post a criticism. I will not hold my breath waiting.

You're not very bright. No one is suggesting that Park Ridge residents do any of those things. But they should not interfere in the church's right to minister to the needy.