Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 4, 1993 TAG: 9304020252
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
IN DEFENSE OF SOCIAL SERVICES
In regard to the article "Through the Cracks" in the March 21 New River Current, it might be construed by some readers that some social agencies are not doing their job. As part of a group who in past weeks held a gospel sing to collect donations to help some of these agencies, we are concerned that this article may have a negative impact on the public's generosity in supporting future charitable events.The homeless couple, Allen and Linda, certainly felt that their family did not receive the attention it deserved during its homeless predicament, when it might seem to many that they were extraordinarily fortunate in the generosity shown to them through many quarters.
The complaints they have center on what they considered to be incompetency in the agencies, although anyone should realize that thorough screening is necessary to avoid misuse of social agencies' services, and that people who apply for aid are expected to find a way to get to the agencies, not to expect the agencies to come to them.
Inconsistencies in this article need to be addressed, such as when Linda lost her job, and when the family was evicted and put up in motels until a house was found for them. Then, the article states, "their savings ran out," so that they were forced from the second home. If they had savings, why were they evicted from the first home?
Secondly, Linda's concerns as to what would happen to her family after she checked into aid from the Giles County Agencies, and Lynda Bogg's (Giles Social Services) explanation that Giles is a pilot county for a new program providing such aid as Linda evidently wished to receive, were both made clear, but no clue was given as to why Linda either did not apply for such aid there or why it was denied if she did.
It goes without saying that any help for homeless people or families is a temporary situation, and it's obvious that it's frightening and stressful to be in such a state, and doubtless many others will "fall through the cracks" before our economy improves. May we all pray that those who do will be as fortunate as this family to be living in a four-bedroom apartment in less than a year following the beginning of their homelessness.
It is important that this couple and those who read their story realize that these agencies have others in much more desperate need than this family, those who have fallen farther and harder, and that the agencies also have more than they can handle in these hard times, so that patience must be practiced, regardless of the situation.
It is also important that the public realize that their donations do make a difference and, in most cases, are handled responsibly.\ Barbara Lafon Caldwell\ Newport