ComeBackHereJessicahNOWjessicahhh
515663
21459
282
Thought this was uplifting.
Caboose007
Faith in humanity restored, untill I see something that yet again proves most of humanity is shitty. Thanks for the perspective @OP!
LeSmelborpOfImgur
@OP! Very insightful and a new perspective on life. Thanks for sharing this story.
Kilo5117
Ashamed to admit I would not have gone this far. Mental illness is rampant on the streets. And it's quite dangerous. Good man Adam.
bonelesswingconspiracy
This story gives me all the feelies
TheTwatWaffler
j4jad
Can I double up vote please.
virgeneyes
https://www.gofundme.com/tarecatkinson his story hasnt gotten a happy ending yet. updates on the gofundme page
historyboeuf
Public Libraries often have computer classes and job help services. I run our job help program at work! 1/2
historyboeuf
We help with resumes, applications, interviews, maintaining a job, computer skills, email help, etc. If you need help, come to the library!
therealdrummer
The power of one person taking a step towards being generous with their money, time, and abilities!
SpaceXilonen
Damn, wish Adam noticed me. Yum.
D4RK3CH0
It's an awesome story. Unfortunately not all homeless people are sane enough to hold down jobs.
matyles
Homeless here its like 85 percent people who have a mix of mental and drug problems. 15 percent "traveler kids" I fucking hate the trvelers
Lazygirleatsandlifts
A more recent update of Tarec from Adam: https://www.gofundme.com/TarecAtkinson
allthelubemustbeused
It's cool and all to do a thing like that but to show the world say "look at the good deed I did" shows he did it to make himself feel good
VivaLaSteeze
That's my initial reaction but it went viral and he has $11,000 raised for him to afford housing on gofundme. Have to post it to do that.
UavinAGiggowMate
Don't forget that there are a lot of professional homeless who will curse you out for trying to help them, because it would hurt their biz
unbreakablewith
You give a man fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Good on Adam.
r3ddawg01
Thank you so much for this uplifting story
TheDuckieThatSoundsLikeAElephant
I have goosebumps!
ResearchByJoe
Any update on this guy?
PaulHolioTheGreat
I admire the guy for trying, but homeless people are rarely effected by just one issue. There are no easy fixes. It was a kind gesture tho.
HuntMason
Good guy, Atkinson for taking the chance and trusting someone too. I hope nothing but the best for him. Welcome to America. Do well, sir.
PeculiarBaguette
Link to the GoFundMe (he unfortunately lost his job (living in a tent with no shower...)) https://www.gofundme.com/tarecatkinson
[deleted]
[deleted]
PeculiarBaguette
So that you can be a part of his next :)
Fleckyfleck
Not all homeless have a desire to change.
IWATCHDEATH
True, some have become accustomed to the vagrant lifestyle and change is terrifying
matyles
The homeless people where I live are terrifying. Meth. Lots of meth. Lots of robberies.
SerialChillinSpree
Vegas? This is where I realized this was happening was vegas. 90% are panhandling, funding drugs habit. Can't really blame, escape situation
IHazAwoken
I volunteer at a place that expanded to include not only a comp lab so the less fortunate could apply, but hold weekly comp lit courses too
[deleted]
[deleted]
addledPunster
the fuck
[deleted]
[deleted]
Drewstopher13
Our library here in Indy has these!
jem243
What's the place? Is it a chain or a one of?
PleaseDontRespondToMySarcasticCommentsWithASeriousReply
I know Wal Mart and some JC Penneys also have application terminals, I'm sure more businesses are following suit as well
beerculese
I know my local target has a computer in the front and offers assistance in doing an application
IHazAwoken
It's just one. Called Paul's place in baltimore
hiyourehandsome
.
IHazAwoken
I replied
HalfPintKatie
We imgurians need to get behind this idea and advocate for something like this in each of our cities!
IHazAwoken
They had humble beginnings as just a soup kitchen in a church. Donations helped them expand
Midgarmerc
This is a great story and a wonderful piece of humanity. Sadly however many homeless people are not so easily rehabilitated due to 1/2
Midgarmerc
endless factors They might have a severe drug addiction or mental condition or any number of things I dont mean don't be kind but be careful
dragonsnappers
I work around people who have a difficult time coping with the public. They're not good w/social cues. Call it natural selection if you must
PerhapsAnotherPerspective
But that's not what natural selection is at all
dragonsnappers
Thanks.. googling the literal definition was informative for me. I've heard it used in a derogatory way too many times.
dragonsnappers
It breaks my heart
JetmanNinety3
Ya know there's always that dumb voice inside trying to keep you from just doing a simple kind thing for fear of awkwardness. He beat it
adaquo
tons of homeless in my city. just hard to tell the good ones like this from the actual straight up crack addicts who would have taken 1/2
adaquo
this kind opportunity and robbed your shit no questions asked 2/2
PostNutDepression
"I smoke rocks, Joe Rogan."
axyzxyz
"He looked back at me and said I got this." Awesome. He actually wanted to help himself.
aguytryingtohelp
I swear to god, everyone thinks homeless people are drug addicts & lazy & so when ONE OF THEM happens to find a job, its OMG YAY UNICORN!!!!
aguytryingtohelp
............."he actually wanted to help himself". So you think every homeless person DOESN'T want to help themselves??
MostOfYouNeedHaloperidol
So you're saying that every homeless person DOES? Calm the fuck down. There are exceptions in every situations.
aguytryingtohelp
Well shit, i was looking at the bright side. But hey, lets think everyone is a leech.
axyzxyz
Not sure if you're dense af or just assume a lot of stuff in life generally.
aguytryingtohelp
Not sure if you're dense af or you also just assume a lot of stuff in life generally.
Ansatsunin
It seems that people prejudging homeless people as though one wanting to help themselves is a rare exception are the ones making assumptions
LostLogic12
Many people give up after suffering for so long.
aguytryingtohelp
Seriously dude? I get that but, why can't we think positively? Wtf is wrong with everyone.
Ansatsunin
Which isn't something to condemn or admonish, or a reason to treat them as "lazy and unmotivated"..
LostLogic12
Completely agree
Mavgurian
Sometimes humans give up when their situation is bad long enough, then even outside help can only motivate them initially before caving in.
aguytryingtohelp
......So when you look at a homeless person you think "yup. that person gave up". Maybe they did, but why don't you look at the positive?
oppopppoopop
What the heck do you mean wanted to help himself out?
ricecandy
There are homeless who live like that willingly. Some prefer it, some give up, others think they were screwed and deserve handouts, etc.
Ansatsunin
... Some people *are* massively screwed by life and deserve a fucking break. Most homeless people ended up homeless *because* of it...
ricecandy
I never said that all homeless weren't, but he seemed curious as to why some people wouldn't want to work to get out of that situation.
Ansatsunin
Sure, but saying "others think they were screwed and deserve handouts" as if that's a legitimate reason to think someone simply "doesn't 1/?
Ansatsunin
want to work", which sounds like more of an admonishment along the lines of "why doesn't he just get a job"? Just, no. 2/2
FountainPenn
I'm not going to lie, I have said those exact same words "Why don't they just get a job". This was uplifting as well as insightful. Thanks.
SILOKEL
Same. Im going to rethink that
Flanaganarightinthepussy
because a huge number of homeless people are mentally ill and abandoned.
frosty147
Unfortunately, many, many homeless people are mentally ill and off their meds.
Boredoom
In my mind, instead of "I got this", he says "hold my beer", and then nails the interview like a boss.
FireVoodoo
Dude, I have an engineering master, I can't get a job.
IamMeWasTaken
in some countries you can't even look for a job without an adress really. Fuck people without one right?
Denturedog
The guys in our town panhandling make more than I do, atleast they did before they got caught
kerchew
Surprisingly most homeless people get a job within three months. Long term homelessness is generally attributed to drug use 1/2
railgap
I've said those exact words too, but it was decades ago and in my defense I've grown up a bit since then.
Zixtank
I tried filling out an application with my local job help association (no idea what's the actual term) and I'm fairly experienced with-(1/2)
Zixtank
-computers, and I had a LOT of trouble navigating their sites. Can only imagine how it is for those who're not good with computers.
Finadviser
http://imgur.com/0NolHDT
SomePeopleSayThatCucumbersTasteBetterPickled
I say "Where did the trillions of dollars in taxes go that I was told was supposed to do for these people what Adam did on his own?"
TitaniumTeddyBear
Admitting that you might be wrong about something is damn near close to being a SUPERPOWER at this point. Good for you.
thor0486
Many homeless people do have jobs. Try living off minimum wage...you can't.
PhilipCoulson
So true. Yes, I might be able to rent a room & pay a bill or two, but I'm eating once every 3 days
boffinofwhitfurrows
Also really depends on where your living, and the general cost of living in that city/area.
EmokeWynter
The system is so bad. If you're poor then you will continue to be poor. All cheap stuff breaks and u have to replace em every year = poor.
Bridden
I was born VERY poor, and I have several successful friends (not just white) that I grew up with. It's not hard if you work hard.(and smart)
PhilipCoulson
You can work very hard and get nowhere. Happens to people all the time.
Bridden
That is where the (and smarts) comes in. Bad Luck only drags you down so far. Latino with Cancer still made it. He owns a landscaping comp.
PhilipCoulson
Well that's good for him, but you're severely naive if you think the "want" to have something is all you need.
sunyudai
It is more expensive to be poor than it is to be middle class.
Chloe0o0o0o
To last longer, which creates problems with their walking, low performance in school sports, wet feet, low mood in winter etc
Chloe0o0o0o
Yeah, I remember this being put in the context of shoes for kids. Poor kids have shoes that fit poorly and low quality because they need 1)
digitalutopia
not to mention - prepared food tends to cost a lot more than ingredients. And even getting a job can make things even worse. While you'll /1
digitalutopia
be earning money, you'll also find government aid disappearing, and all the costs that go with needing to stay clean, and getting to work./2
PaperCl1p
The way it is set up with government aid paying more than getting a job just keeps people at the lowest ring
NavaHo07
I'm an Iraq War veteran and never understood why so many vets were homeless/jobless until I went to the sandbox. Kept a job but I understood
spoileddentist
me too.. Manchester have so many homeless.. It's sad.. Old guy shivering. i look the other way. If I have extra money I bought coffee for em
dagg3r
And this is why you share your good deeds, so others learn.. not so much as to pat yorsef on the back
BlowDog
I hate when people say "Get a job". Someone has to GIVE you a job, you can't take a job like picking a leaf off a tree
SloppyJimbo
Job tree full of jobbies?
HaniiPuppy
eww.
whitepolarbear
reference for brits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siAbiwPyccg
catsaregroundowls
I had a college degree, a home, nice clothes,a good attitude, I was unemployed for 4 months. It isn't easy finding work.
BlowDog
I was out of stable work for 3 plus years. When I tell people they don't believe me. I worked but not steady
SpoilFlunk
So true! Here's my +1 you dick!! I'm going to steal your saying from now on, now out of my life lol
nepomuki
So true. Try getting a job without an apartment and an apartment without a job..
ginevra
My brother and his family were homeless for three months because of this vicious cycle... :(
ApsychicRat
as a canadian i dont wonder about them getting a job. i wonder why they dont use the social systems we have to help and instead beg for it
CRDMnster
I agree, why go to a country and not learn the way the country works
PhilipCoulson
I was a homeless Canadian once. In NB, you can't receive financial assitance from the govt without a permanent address. Even when I was 1/3
PhilipCoulson
2/3 finally able to get assistance, I was cut off after 6 months (which I spent in a rehab facility) because I had been on assistance for
PhilipCoulson
2/3 finally able to get assistance, I was cut off after 6 months (which I spent in a rehab facility) because I had been on assistance for
PhilipCoulson
3/3 "long enough". The system isn't as fair as people like to think it is.
ApsychicRat
in ontario your on it as long as you keep reporting your income. dont comit fraud and you could be on it forever
PhilipCoulson
3/3 "long enough". The system isn't as fair as people like to think it is.
PhilipCoulson
3/3 "long enough". The system isn't always as fair as people like to think it is.
CRDMnster
My parents are immigrants and they learned the language of the country they were going to. The system did not fail (1/2)
CRDMnster
Also, not learning how the country works and then immigrating there is where most immigrants mess up.
CitizenDickbag
Jamaicans speak English, so language wasn't an issue here.
CRDMnster
I also mention immigrants don't learn the process of getting a job in a country they don't bother to learn about.
CRDMnster
Also this jamican guy is an adult I'm pretty sure he fuck up somewhere
catapulter
i lived in the street for a short while (not in the US). 99% of homeless were drug addict's with no motivation to stop living on handouts.
energygremlin
Some people are homeless by choice. My dad is not an addict but doesnt want to pay back any debt he build up. So he is homeless. (Not US)
catapulter
thats very rare. most are drug addicts or mental cases. or both.
mousemarie94
That is a huge myth here in the U.S. there are plenty that are but the biggest face of poverty here is people with multiple jobs who try.
mebe21
dunno why you're being downvoted so much. Maybe not 99%, but it's not uncommon at all.
catapulter
i actually looked up governmental statistics. its 99%.
mebe21
If you're gonna make a hard and fast statistical claim like that and you want to be taken seriously, then you need to provide more info.
rbudrick
Panhandlers in my town have very literally told people they make $100s or $1000s a day panhandling and don't want a job. When offered 1/
rbudrick
jobs,they outright refuse. I will never give to panhandlers for this reason. They are fucking assholes.
jqdao3
Some homeless people also want to be homeless. A lot do have jobs, but can't afford housing cuz it's minimum wage/ cost of living too high.
javer80
Meaning they don't necessarily WANT to be homeless, but things are fucked when that's the most viable local option. I getchu.
jqdao3
Some really like the lifestyle and don't want normal adult responsibilities kinda like pirates but on the street instead of boats. Not most
javer80
Huh. Roger.
secretlyopiniated
(Drops anchor)
TicoGuy
I've been looking for work for 13 months. It is crazy hard when you are both under qualified and over qualified for many jobs.
badmagic
Lie. *adjust your resume. No one wants to hire a bartender with 2 master degrees.
TicoGuy
I tried that. They just checked my work history at the Social Security department and I was done.
annibe11e
You need separate resumes. One that highlights primarily your education and experience and one that highlights primarily your skills.
TicoGuy
Tried that. They check your past jobs through SS. They figured out I have a degree that would require them pay more or I would leave fast.
annibe11e
They check SS? What field are you in?
secretlyopiniated
I don't get why being overqualified is an issue. As long as you pay them the same. Anyone needing a job wouldn't be picky. Can you explain?
TicoGuy
There is a huge cost to Hire in my Country. For any job. So they always check to make sure you won't leave quickly costing lots of money
whitepolarbear
because some companies have a concern that you'll end up leaving. There's a cost to hiring people every time
whosaidjehovah
If you apply at a bar or somewhere similar they may (probably rightly) assume it's just a stopgap for you and you'll leave soon
pinkmelody89
I'm a teacher. Even in education, districts want you to have just enough experience (but not too much) and just enough education (but not
pinkmelody89
Too much) to be an affordable hire.
Boi1da
Well??? Why don't they????
macca3568
It's not that simple.
Boi1da
No shit. Sarcasm...how can people not tell on the Internet??
macca3568
shame, guess you're just gonna have to hack the downvotes
annibe11e
Because there's no sarcasm font.
ThePsychoanalyst
I was a "save the world man" for years then, after a 12hrs shift a homeless asked for a coin, in anger i replied with a "big fuck you" 1/2
FernandoRumdebum
I'm always polite to homeless people and regularly give money or food (buying up reduced sandwiches and handing em out) however there is 1/
FernandoRumdebum
2/ this woman who every now and again knocks on my front door and says "you give me money" she used to carry a fake baby. I used to say 2/
FernandoRumdebum
3/ no but she kept doing it, so I started just slamming the door on her. Now I tell her to fuck off and threaten her. She's not even 3/
FernandoRumdebum
4/ homeless though (always clean clothes, hair and fingernails,hell her clothes look new & shoes are spotless).If she was a bloke I'd hit em
ThePsychoanalyst
He looked so scared i felt ashamed for weeks, i was an illegal in canada at the moment and i was so fucking full of myself, fuck me. 2/2
Tellegaard
Think about how far you've gotten since. Events like this is what eventually molds us.
tootalltom
Introspection is a good thing. You can't change the past but you can learn and be a better person. First step is admission.
TheTimeless
Wait, but what does this have anything to do with sex or your mother?
codexdelux
username checks out i must say.
ThePsychoanalyst
after some time in canada an old man convinced me, came back to mexico went to university, im a psychologyst specialized in psychoanalisis
ThePsychoanalyst
i've been in my private practice for two years now and i must say, damn i wish i was still in canada.
OlanRogers
Mate, you were a fucking douchebag.
ShepherdtheSpook
I second that
moonXbeam
but he became more aware for it. he learned so at least something good came of it
BrawndoTheThirstMutilatorIsWhatPlantsCrave
Illegal from where?
ThePsychoanalyst
Here and there, mostly everywhere
BrawndoTheThirstMutilatorIsWhatPlantsCrave
i guess you probs wouldnt wanna disclose :P
BrawndoTheThirstMutilatorIsWhatPlantsCrave
Illegal from where?
InfernoTerra
We've all seen the man at the liquor store begging for your change. The hair on his face is dirty, dread locked, and full of mange. He asks
InfernoTerra
A man for what he could spare with shame in his eyyyyes. Get a job you fucking slob is all he replies. God forbid you had to walk a mile in
InfernoTerra
Hisss shoes. Cause then you might really know what it's like to sing the blues.
TherealGuyLeDouche
Bravo. Had a similar experience not so long ago. I still hold a huge amount of shame inside me.
IHaveThePerfectPuzzleForYou
Did you literally just say the words "big fuck you"? That's kinda weird.
Lorithias
Thanks for the laugh ! :)
BadamWarlock
"Hey man, you got any spare change?" "BIIIIIIIIIG FUCK YOU!!!" "... No would've worked, too."
DeviIsAdvocate
Made me actually laugh. Thanks+1
PenttiAsu
Saying " why don't they just get a job" is just complete fucking stupidity. Who is homeless for fun? Especially in the US. You know why.
mebe21
Not always. A good number are legitimately on hard times. Volunteering at a homeless shelter opened my eyes. Some are okay with it.
mebe21
A great deal of those who aren't on hard times have mental illness. Just as many I saw were users. A handful don't care enough to change it.
TheKinginTheNorff
that is awesome. a lot are mentally ill and cant get the help they need. capitalism isn't always kind to those less fortunate
CantComeUpWithACreativeUsername
Of possible interest: www.larche.ca:8080/en_CA/about-larche/what-is-l-arche ; a friend worked there &said it was such a rewarding experience
CarrotsandKale
Completely false. Capitalism is what allows resources to exist to sustain ourselves & what allows ppl like Adam (and you) 2 help others
CarrotsandKale
Downvoted by a teenager who thinks government control over their lives would be "cool"
CantComeUpWithACreativeUsername
Of possible interest: www.larche.ca:8080/en_CA/about-larche/what-is-l-arche ; a friend worked there &said it was such a rewarding experience
kraeftig
Good thing the grand US OF A provides free mental health care to all so these people can get the help they need to function.
CarrotsandKale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yqA6-ukmfg
Colenelshitpostermcgee
when is it ever, fuck capitalism
BleepBlorpBop
Someone thinks they know better, hmm?
Colenelshitpostermcgee
Someone has a differing political opinion which a mature person would debate or question but the individual in question has instead opted 1/
Colenelshitpostermcgee
someone has a differing political opinion which a mature person would question or debate rather than snidely hint at believing their own q
Colenelshitpostermcgee
opinion is somehow superior without understanding the point im trying to make in the first place, so yes I do know better than you, know 2
Colenelshitpostermcgee
better how to conduct a political discussion while actually learning from other viewpoints
BleepBlorpBop
Lol K, have fun, Commie.
76Tromboners
Sure, with strict capitalism there are winners and losers, but this has nothing to do with capitalusm.
RhymeRuin
It does though. Capitalism basically operates on the idea that what's useful is valuable. Broken things are useful therefore they are tossed
RhymeRuin
Everything is disposable. Even people. Its short-sighted and wasteful at the least, and borderline unethical at its worst...
TheDuke0fHazzard
By that same token, however, absolute capitalism would also leave charity to private citizens, as seen in the post
znoopyz
The global rate of severe poverty has declined in direct proportion to the rise of capitalism. The system has its flaws and I'm a hippy 1/2
terrorista31
the problem its when extreme neo liberalism its on place, capitalism with a bit of socialism would be perfect.
UnnecessaryExposition
Correlation versus causation. Poverty has declined due to improved medicine, industry, technology.
znoopyz
Which has improved due to the incentives created by capitalism. You want evidence look at soviet cars in the 40's and 80's vs American.
matyles
no matter what it takes time to improve on things
znoopyz
Liberal who is all to aware of them but capitalism is one of the best things to have happened to our world.
szepasszony
But liberals aren't opposed to capitalism.... I also think you're conflating the industrial revolution with capitalism
ZimGenzko
Yeah apart from all the slave like working conditions, overfishing,destruction of rainforest for agriculture, speeding up climate change 1/2
ZimGenzko
And global economic crisis caused by if its just perfect.But I guess it's an American thing to belive in capitalism so strongly
szepasszony
It is. I was taught that basically every modern technological advance was b/c of capitalism as undisputed fact, even in college.
szepasszony
As if the only possible solution to poverty is massive overproduction, in hopes that there's enough left over for the poor.
dirtcreature
That's population expansion, not capitalism. Eventually we will be too many, then...boom
SomeRandomNobhead
The population of the planet began to rise on an unprecedented level at the introduction of capitalism, you think that's coincidence?
LastoftheLillyCreatures
no, it's efficiency in capitalism. Our production in 2005(watch "we feed the world") could have fed 13 billion people and still doesnt.
Sendhelpsoon
Macro level effects of medicine and food improvements. Doesn't alter the truth of the situation that it systematises inequalities.
Thorsmightyarse