Who do you Say That I Am?

[Breakthroughstories]

Mental illness and lack of health care are another common path to homelessness. In addition, about 25% of homeless men are veterans.  They return from war with PTSD, alienate family members and lose their support network. The homeless population is more diverse than you think.

[SirBanon]

arloa is right lol. the more you get to know panhandlers the more reluctant they are to accept money from you :O however, i'm not entirely convinced a begger is at fault for their circumstances or actions.

[homelessadvocate]

I was homeless in Cleveland. Homeless people despise panhandlers. Someone who truly needs money will ask for help for an odd amount - example 37 cents because maybe that is all they need for bus fare or to use a payphone or to get coffee.

If you are going to give money to anyone, never pull out your wallet or open your purse. Give change that's in your pocket. Better yet, donate your time to an organization that helps the homeless. They need the help to help others and you will learn a lot!

[1015atm]

we judge other people so quickly that we forget to look at ourselves and see what God thinks of us...

[1015atm]

Just because these individuals who have made unfortunate life decisions which had resulted them being on the streets doesn't mean their not worthy of forgiveness and a new start. See all of US are selfish and greedy. But if we actually stop thinking of just OURSELVES for just a minute and start looking at other people around us to help out then maybe the rest of the population wouldn't be where their at right now.

[rukiddin1]

Whenever I've been approached by someone asking for $ I've let them know I clean houses for my money so I don't hand it out (which is true).I've never had one person persist in asking me for money.I think they understand that when you're willing to get on your knees and clean someone else's toilet,you're not going to turn around and hand the money to someone standing around.

[menderfire9]

The secret behind a lot of these people is that they don't have something that is necessary in order to get them a real job & maintain it for any period of time, & that something is real self esteem, the social skills, the patience, the ability to focus & learn job skills.

Have a good look at the faces & postures, do you think they could ever have the courage to go to a job interview? That's a terrifying thing to do when jobs are scarce & a person can earn more money working the streets.

[AirelonTrading]

Wow. Just wow. 99% of the poor would never beg or panhandle. Those are the people I seek to help.

Panhandlers? Get a freaking job. Start putting as much effort into cleaning yourself up, and getting a job - that you do into panhandling.

[darthspeaks]

I've scouted a panner in Portland that makes about $150/day. It's disgusting. These greedy, lazy people are taking money from the poor.

[cclmnop]

look into real data on homelessness and panhandling such as HUD projects, Homeless coalitions across the nation and Continuums of Care. Every city has them, yet press choose to get thier info from a store clerk who promises rue stories. If you spent time looking you might have a legitimate opinion worth hearing.

[cclmnop]

Was he crazy? people do not make that much even if they say it is so. they want to be valued in your presence and do not want to be associated with the people they've found themselves with on the streets. that's why so many condemn each other's actions.

[cclmnop]

look into real data on homelessness and panhandling such as HUD projects, Homeless coalitions across the nation and Continuums of Care. Every city has them, yet press choose to get thier info from a store clerk who promises rue stories. If you spent time looking you might have a legitimate opinion worth hearing.

[bobisonthecob]

how lazy and worthless are you to be able to watch a bum for entire day?

[phonixwk69]

Chicago has about as much compassion as the onlookers of the hit and run in NYC this past week. The witnesses literally walked around the old man in his late 70's who laid bleeding in the street. He was paralyzed and is in critical condition as a result of the accident. Nice going people!

[playbacktv]

wow!

check out my discussion too!

[ami3iguous]

We are social beings, and accordingly, feel the urge to help others which we feel compassion for. Exploitation of this beautiful sentiment is something which should be frowned upon...

[dark420bishop]

If you want to help poor people, support charity organizations, don't give money to pan handlers.

[Sohave]

That people pan handling do so because the charity organizations ether are not there or do not cover their needs. The government should do something to help these people and get them

back on employment or at least support them with enough so they don't have to beg in order to survive. This naturally costs tax money, but the stability in the society creates a better climate for businesses and tourism which creates more money and better investment. This is called the Scandinavian model.

[10meyn0]

pan handling starts at 4 or 5 yrs old here in the phillippines

[gregoriodemoncho]

Yeah, but a lot of our kids don't have another choice. I know a lot of cases, where the parents didn't have any money to care for their kids. It's a shame that the government isn't able to find a way to help them

[F00D4TH0T]

I think people always over-inflate how much they think panhandlers make in order to feel ok about not giving (not that giving is the solution). The city of Toronto did a study where pandhandlers were found to have made, on average, about $300.00 a month. Panhandling is hard work, and it is degrading for many people. People are desperate and in need and trying to get by. There are no people getting rich pandhandling like some would like to believe.

[EvilGeniusWithGuns]

Good video, but I hated the little preach about Jesus at the end.

[littlemas2]

Why do you think these people started this ministry? Perhaps they are trying to be like Jesus? Why do hate the mentioning of Jesus?

[mj4lyfe101]

what do u think this whole video is about their ministry and Jesus is the main ingredient for them to keep giving to pan handlers dont hate Jesus just because people follow him that is wrong if it wasent for Jesus these people would not care

[AndWeNeverHadMet]

greenbean91 says that "mostly black people have to panhandle because welfare sucks," and homelessguy says, "besides them being all blacks, they are all mentally ill...What else can they do....?"

Never ceases to amaze - the ignorance (or is their method here?) of the racially privileged. I live in the middle of a VAST "black" 'burb' where no house is less than $350,000. Guess what-there are many more of these:)

To: The Race Obsessed

Vid is not racial, watch again- alone- without your team.

[bobo3245]

I feel sorry for the real panhandlers who are doing this to survive. People can exploit anything.

[KosMag26]

Excellent video. I have been in NY City and was scared by the pan handlers. After watching this video, I feel differently. I would not give them money for nothing but would follow up with where they can go for help.

[ninanwk69]

Panhandling has been going on for hundreds of years. Most of these people are homeless, mentally ill or just plain down on their luck! So whats the citys solution? Make panhandling illegal. So now the homeless are supposed to pay fines? Give me a break!

[johnneveryes]

This isn't investigative reporting. It's just one big "let's villify the poor" hack job.

The only thing this report gets right, albeit inadvertently, is that individual charity from individuals or churches isn't going to solve the homelessness problem. We need real societal changes to tackle poverty.

Adequate social assistance for those who are unemployed, affordable housing, universal health care, fair living wage etc. are the type of things that will truly alleviate poverty.

[jack9255]

this puts such a bad face on the homeless situation in america

yea, there are panhandlers but most of them are, indeed, homeless

and being homeless sucks, lets all remember that

[panther155]

it is not for me to question, if they look like they need some help, if our goverment would provided the serveices needed, they would be abel to filter those who abuse..

[88think]

lol she suggested leaving a little scripture verse. GOOD IDEA ROFL I BET RELIGION IS GONNA HELP THESE PEOPLE LOLOL GOD WILL ANSWER THEIR PRAYERS!!! HAHA

[Gotmilk3018]

It is always better to give food or blankets to the homeless, if they are truely in need them they would take them and not just ask for cash.

[lovelyskater20]

What a retarded, tripe filled, waste of time. If you are going to do a report on a problem of social inequity start at the top, not at the bottom. I feel great giving to panhandlers when I have it, I choose to believe they need the money for food or something else related to their survival. Why don't you try walking in their shoes instead of denigrating them. The stupidity and vapid logic of the pseudo-liberal, wanna be elitist sect is ripe in this video. Stop being so bitter, and find Jesus!

[sensorglitch]

I like your story, it's very well done. I don't know if it has changed my opinion about panhandlers. But it is interesting

[silenceistreason]

Getting the opinions of people on the street who, themselves, have not investigated a situation is the weakest form of investigative journalism I've ever heard of.

We don't need more people going the way of Fox News carelessly throwing around important words like "investigative" and "journalism" and turning them into inconsequential fillers.

[acidityfalls]

If they approach me (philly)I will offer to buy what they say they need.

They usually refuse, and want the cash.

But when your homeless, truly homeless...a drink or smoke is there only comfort.

[peterann1]

You do the Lords work. A former minister of my church would bring them to a local restaraunt (Deleware Gap) for a decent meal and attempt for transportation.

[mostlyjunkemail]

Granola and scripture, hilarious!!

Panhandlers are just doing a job. I would rather be approached by 100 panhandlers a day than give my money to stupid corporations like atm fees, buying gas, paying income tax to support the war, credit card fees, retail mark-up, etc.

Those people in the tourist area probably dropped like $80 in drinks, what's a $1 to help someone else get a drink or crack or food or survive.

[thelowmax]

Panhandling is not a job. It contributes nothing to society and brings down everything from the community standards to the person actually doing the begging (ever look at a panhandler and say "good work"?). I believe in helping and being compassionate, but let's not give praise where none is deserved. Once a group of homeless guys approached me for a handout. I said, "Ill give you each $10 an hour for the day to clean my yard". They all laughed and turned me down.

[prchick718]

What you did was a very intelligent way to offer money. Money should be earned, not begged. I've been raised in a low-class home, and yeah things are hard, but my mom always worked her butt off to provide for me and my sister. Most of the time, pan-handlers are drug addicts or alcohol abusers. I remember one of them asked for money to buy food, I offered him to buy him a plate of food, he yelled at me and turned my offer down.

I personally NEVER offer money. I offer food and work.

[shadalak]

Granola bar is a good idea.

[thehomelessguy]

This video is pretty much a load of crap. There is no investigation here, just some video of people panhandling, and others saying that panhandlers are scamming - there's never any proof given that these panhandlers have a decent place to live, or have enough money to get by on otherwise. Just look at all those people panhandling, besides them being all blacks, they are all mentally ill, or seriously undereducated. What else can they do but panhandle?

[trumpetplaya44]

Not all of them are African American. There were at least two or three White panhandlers in this video, and I see your comment as slightly insensitive. All though you have some good points, it is better to just keep the ethnicity factor out of those points so you don't insult anybody.

[No1118117]

A lot of people vastly underestimate how many avenues there are to get off the street. I did a case study on Victoria, BC, and in a city of slightly over 400,000 people, there were nearly 200 different public and private organizations dedicated to getting the homeless jobs, housing, healthcare, therapy, and substance abuse rehab. Next time you're going to head somewhere that you know panhandlers frequent, take a backpack and put a bag of apples or oranges in it. Give them out instead of money.

[jackiejackjackster]

you havent come to mexico, there are like 5 panhandlers on each bus stop, its really annoying

[Cykopathikreadhed]

I find it interesting that the "panhandlers" they show are pretty much all people of color and the people giving money or whining about those "panhandlers" are generally all white. Is this not implicit racism? I have no doubt in my mind that there are just as many white "panhandlers" as colored and just as many colored money-givers as white.

Why the bias?

This is the kind if stuff which gets presented as "fact" when it is just perspective perpetuating the racism problem this country has.

[greenbean91]

i dont think its racist that they show mostly black people pan handling. I think the problem is that mostly black people have to panhandle because welfare sucks and the government really doesn't give shit about its people.

[frl287]

Are you seriously suggesting that they went out, overlooked or passed by every white panhandler they saw, and then videotaped the black ones? Yeah right, you know what you're saying is a complete crock.

[machaveliswifey]

LOL

Come to my town. I live in a predominantly Latino area. All out panhandlers are white and only few are black. I dont think Ive even seen a hispanic panhandler.

[dodutz]

Christan Bale :)))the dude doing the voice over :)) sounds like him

[vinniecorbit]

I visited Chicago for the first time a few weeks ago. I really liked it there, but My God! I've never been hustled for change so bad before! I mean, yeah, I would feel guilty not helping out if the person really needed it, but how am I supposed to know? I eventually just gave some change to a guy who said he was a former Marine and now he's out on the street begging. I didn't totally believe his story about needing art supplies but I still gave.

[spade1014]

u see blacks panhandle u see whites panhandle... but u NEVER see mexicans or any other imigrants panhandle... and america is tryin to kick them out?

[Rushgoon1]

Quite good video

[therobinsons]

Nice job.

Journalism is back. Finally!

[sheyaonte14]

hay naku,,,

[BigLLomas]

In the greatest, riches country in the world it's a shame that we allow people to live like this. I wonder if the people that give the money are doing it with a good heart or are they doing it out of guilt? With the amount of alcohol and drug problems in this country, the issues of mental health what is really going on? With all the resources we have in this country it should not be necessary for any person to have to panhandle. It always amazes me how we spend so much to put people in jail.

[copensgirl]

The reason this country is great and rich is because of hard work. People who beg for money rather than work for it should not benefit from the wealth of working people.

Although I feel bad for those who have mental disabilities (and I give to them), I have little compassion for people who look for free money - or are willing to pressure people to support their lazy lifestyle.

[justwatchinclips123]

Umm, some people are too lazy to get a job. That's why. And some also choose to live homeless because they do not want to accept the responsibility of managing a house, car, job, etc. and would rather live like this. Not all of them are like that...some really need help. But others need to just get a life.

[ifilmmoviestwo]

Awesome coverage and about time that its made it out to the public.

Good filming as well as how you covered them as well I just love how open you are to them and you respect them as well. Please keep up the good work......

[mesaoneCCK]

whaaat? he says "they panhandle because it's.... EASY MONEY" yeah right, why don't YOU try to survive on $30 per month social security. These folks don't WANT to be on the street begging. Easy money my ass.

[PostcardDIY]

I don't think this story really tells the whole truth. I used to live in Joseph's neighborhood (the first person in this film). He lives at Wilson Care which is a home for people with mental problems. I highly doubt Joseph can get a job anywhere. Seriously, if he wants to make $30 a month by asking for change who REALLY cares?

Its not like these people going home to their ferrari and big screen tv. Pan handling may be the only thing keeping them OFF the streets. Have some compassion.

[ironboar]

SIMPLE SOLUTION: GIVE OUT GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR FOOD AT MCDONALD'S, ETC. The legitimate, needy people (who cannot work) will accept it as a temporary solution. The scam artists will likely reject it.

I tried to give a panhandler loaves of bread from Jimmie John's, and he rejected it. Hmmm...I wonder why. Next time, I'm giving out gift certificates for food at McDonald's

[OmniNorth]

Actually, yes, you can give out gift certificates to places like McDonald's. Also, it is good to be well-informed so that you can tell them where the food banks and help agencies are. And if a panhandler is rude or otherwise offensive, there is no compulsion to help them: better to save the help for those who show decorum and character.

[iamwhatiamdeal]

300 dollars r u kidding me if their homeless or something then i understand but if not and thier out there just cause its some easy cash then they should be ashamed cause some people give when they got nothing they can give yet their still trying 2 make the world a better place so im sorry 4 some and mad at the rest i mean come on do u really need it that much and in front of businesses i mean come on u may make someone go out of businesses because people wont come 2 their store and buy stuff ya

[abc00006]

My god. It wasn't all that bad until that woman had to start talking about Jesus and everything. Give me a break! Can I get one single day without someone trying to convert me to what they see as a superior religion, whatever it may be? Disgusting.

[Phatfiend]

because thats not an overreaction...

just because someone wants to help you and happens to believe in jesus, that means your should jump down their throat? no, you could just say 'i appreciate the help, but i have different views than you'. most will just say 'ok' and keep helping you.

so many people react now like religous people are trying to hurt them. there are some crazies but 99% are reasonable and don't desirve all the flak they get.

[sccarleton]

She was simply speaking of having mercy for others. When was she trying to convert or proclaiming a "superior religion" ? It's not on the clip. People are entitled to live out their own faith. I'm sorry it disturbed you. Peace.

[bricke321]

Really well-made video. Very informative, unfortunately some people really do need money, and you just can't tell.

[joe6panther6]

It's been around for so many years, it's like what you come to expect esp. in big cities like NY. Some panhandlers are pretty talented. Playing music on the street. It's a shame they couldn't make it in life.

[gnamp]

"drinking or alcohol abuse"?

[RUNTMC17]

JChoe is the truth. Nice job.

San Francisco is even worse.

[mainmanmoose]

$300 a day!!! are you kidding me! ive always heard that some beggars get more then minimum wage from begging but i never believed it!

[louiesmom007]

I can only speak for myself, but, I used to feel sorry for them, until I worked at a convinience store. 9 out 10 of them are physically/mentally able to work, and use every dime/quarter they get for 40's. I'm sure there are some that truly deserve help, but they're so few and far between, they slip through the cracks, and are hidden by all the cons. Just about every one you offer a meal to, will refuse it. They just want the $, to get beer. This is just my personal experience...

[jersvision]

This story is BS...you cannot earn a living panhandling...People don't wanna panhandle..they want real jobs.

This is a propoganda story.

[Iluvanonymous]

I went on a mission's trip to inner city Chicago last year and this made up the majority of people we ran into in the homeless shelter we were helping. I don't see why giving a few dollars would hurt anyone.

God knows YOUR intentions even if the person panhandling spends the money on drugs or alcohol.

[Regfife]

Are your intentions to help, or to pay to make the guilt go away?  If your few dollars lets the guy buy his batch of drugs, enabling him to overdose and kill himself, I would say those few dollars hurt him. That's also a few less dollars you could spend on people providing honest service, or donating to legit charities that help those who really need it.

[Breakthroughstories]

Jonathan Choe

[r0ck1n1t]

People don't realize that change really adds up. My step father makes over a $100,00 at year at his job yet, he still picks up change and makes a lot of money from it too. He's even had people who see him pick up change throw money at him shouting "get a job you bum!"

[YappyYabber]

These type of people just pisses me off

[thor9754]

Can mercy really triumph over judgement? I don't know about you, but I got my money on judgement. Find out next time on: BREAKTHROUGH!! Urban Ministries!

[EsotericWhore]

I think that there are other problems here besides asking for money. Who the fcuk can live off of $30 a month? Seriously! The problem with our nation is that we like to close our eyes to the blatent unhumanity apparent today. For ex., where I live there is a Vietnam vet that asks for money and I give him money when I see him and I don't feel bad. To this the obvious question is: why is someone who fought for our contry living in the street with NO benefits and he's also un-hireable!Seriously.

[chapp54]

the police need to bust these low lifes!

[lukemathiesen]

just poor people tryin 2 survive.

[darkangels72936]

i use to panhandel when i was living on the streets down on my luck. Now im in my own home and have a job. not all panhandlers are like what is shown here. the ones i knew like me used the money to get a room for the night to get cleaned up. To look for jobs. So remmember you never know the truth unless you ask !!

[loftybutcontrite]

Mercy triumphs over judgment...so true!

[kimgay123]

This is a terrific perspective with balance. Thank you for the wisdom and open view to this world, and for the mention of grace. God bless you!

[guangheo]

Wow.

[Ushikun]

This was a great video but I definitely knew that they're like that. I'd rather give to charities.

[thegreatyoda]

Well that was biased to the point of being offensive. It takes a pretty big leap of (il)logic to conclude from one or two scam artists that all the homeless who ask for money are living the high life on their thirty bucks a month.

[impresador]

the etiquette is gone where i live. they ask me 3 or 4 times within 20 seconds. i'm sick & f'n tired of having to say no more than once. i'm poor, and i do hook people up when it's cold and i'm drinking, but on a nice day if i politely tell them no the first time and they ask me again i make damn sure they see my face so they know to never ever ever ask me again.

[gwendolyonej]

a day ago my friend was sitting in his car outside a restaurant waiting for someone. A man approached asking him for money and my friend dismissed him. Assuming the guy was homeless my friend felt guilty, went inside and got a meal to go. finding the man again he gave him the food "what's this?" he asked and my friend explained. The man said "I don't need food, I need to pay my rent, got any money?" My friend was so disgusted by the lack of gratitude to yelled at the man to get lost.

[credenda1961]

the lady at the end made some good points

[nekoheehee]

not a bad story. i saw one like this on the news about a pro hobo who makes $500 a day on average. he wears a suit and tie but sits under a blanket and shakes while people put money in his cup. when hes done, he walks away, takes the blanket off and goes to work in an office. he says its easy money and its not illegal because he never askes for anything. just sits there silently while people toss money at him.

[a4nik8r]

This is so true...I knew guys that would make a couple hundred bucks a day from panhandling. Good vid.

[SaturnaliaSidhe]

They don't mention that most of those people are mentally ill and unable to hold a job.

I always respect the ones who will offer you something in return - a shoe shine or music - than the ones that just sit there and do nothing and ask for money.

[tbizone2002]

great video!! Wow i ask my self these questions all the time when approached by the homeless.

[MenloMarseilles]

1) Strange that the hardest jobs these days pay less than what you can get out of human kindness. The guy at 2:45 groks it. Nobody owes him anything, he doesn't act like they do. But he knows he can get it, so he asks.

2) I'd hardly call picture-drawing or shoe-shining "panhandling". They're being paid for their work, after all!

3) Harassment IS illegal. If it IS harassment, the law should be applied. I have no problem with that.

Summary: Fascinating topic. 5'd.

[Amniticus4u]

there was somthing like this video on the news in my area. If I was homeless I wouldn't pan handle. I won't support it either. I know it's hard to see them and not wan't to give but they can get a job too. good video.

[mnava18]

nice video , had my attention the whole way through. thanks for sharing

[cyberdaemon]

300 dollars a day ? But some people in a third world wont make it even a mounth! Damn these guys are whiners!

[jjeyan]

In the recent days where we see homeless shelters and Church run programs shutting down due to financial burdens, I think it would be wise not to give these people money directly but to support a shelter in need. That way we can give them a chance to stay out of the streets legally.

[berkeleyyy]

50 cents please

[oshheen]

what hustlers