New Solution Questionable

I am writing in response to the new 'charity' foundation set up to build a homeless shelter in Kelowna. I know I'm not the only one who must feel a little skeptical about this 'new solution' to the homeless problem.

This project is spearheaded by a local security company. So far as I can tell it has little or no details as to where this haven for the down trodden is going to be. No details about staffing, nothing about services the shelter will provide and little or no interest is shown by City Council itself to get involved. It leaves me feeling a little suspicious, especially when the announcing of such a project comes at a time when many are giving donations to help the Tsunami victims overseas.

It leaves me feeling as if this is nothing but a shameless self promotion for the company to gain some notoriety, and perhaps to grab a few extra bucks.

The company in question claims it wants to be part of the solution to the homeless problem. Since when are shelters a solution to the homeless problem to begin with? If homeless shelters were a solution, then there would be no homeless to speak of. Shelters are merely a band aid for a larger problem in society, not a solution. Just as the homeless themselves are not the problem, they are a symptom of an ailment which needs to be addressed. It seems to me not much realistic thought was put into this idea from the beginning, so it leaves me wondering, what's in it for them? I mean, besides getting their company's name plastered all over town, and in the papers!

G.C.