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Real Change acquintances multiplying in Ballard

(34 posts)

Started 2 years ago by luluseattle
Latest reply from HeatherHeather

luluseattle

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I am a long time resident of Ballard. I know many of the folks who offer the Real Change paper by name and talk with them almost everyday. They have concerns about all the new "street sales" in the hood, ironic really, as the merchants I also know are concerned about the same thing. Question...why is Ballard so abundant with homeless..the library, the economy, the food bank. I merchant shared a story with me about "3 Real Change folks" fist fighting in front of their shop the other day over a stack of papers for sale. What up?

Posted 2 years ago #
kelly

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why is Ballard so abundant with homeless?

because people accept them? not many patrol cars in ballard. the weather is nice :)

also does anybody else feel guilty when you turn down the real change guys?! i swear i bought that copy from the guy outside safeway! i don't need another one!

Posted 2 years ago #
Sunset Hill David

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Yes, I do feel guilty. When the guy in front of the Post Office disappeared for a week or so I started to worry about him! Guess he was on vacation.

Posted 2 years ago #
onederfullone

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Just make sure you verify that the vendor has credentials, and has current copies. It is too common that either they horse trade their sales quota, or sell copies that have been bought and discarded.

It's a good idea, and worthy of support. Only if we verify our dollar is going where it is designed to go.

Posted 2 years ago #
SPG

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I don't buy Real Change and have no guilt whatsoever.

Posted 2 years ago #
Nehalennia

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No guilt here either. I remember reading an interview with one of the vendors (he sells by Bartell, or used to) and the guy said he started selling the paper because he didn't want to work. That interview is not on the Real change website, btw.

I find the most of the sales people rather annoying. Share/wheel, the organization behind Real Change gets half of the sales money and they don't do anything for the homeless except bitch and complain. They offer no job training or anything useful that can help those who want to get off the street.

Posted 2 years ago #
stopgo

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I love the real change. 100% supporter. Well 99%. I have to say the guy who sells outside of the fremont pcc drives me nuts.

Posted 2 years ago #
collingswood

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Last summer I came out of the 85th St. Bartell's and a guy offered to sell me a copy of Real Change. I gave him a dollar and proceeded home where I sat down to read the paper. Only then did I realize it was the Ballard News Tribune! Apparently he had emptied their box and was starting his own business.

Posted 2 years ago #
stopgo

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Sucker!

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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Now that's a keen business mind. Fantastic :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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I have a favorite, Terry at Bartel's on 22nd Ave. I have noticed that in the evening when Terry is gone, there are several who compete for that "spot".Seems like this only started in the last 2 months. I don't feel guilty not buying from them, because by now they all know I am loyal to Terry, who I share food with frequently (Turkey dinner, chili, soup).

Then there's the guy at QFC who always says hi and crouches down to greet LB. I buy once in a while from him and do feel guilty if I don't. I'm not far from their economic reality but I do want to share what I have.

So even I, a 6 month resident to Ballard, have noticed many more sellers.

Posted 2 years ago #
lyl

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I like Real Change. I have been impressed with some of the writing and I'm always up for a crossword puzzle. I too buy from Terry at Bartell's. Also from the guy at Central Market. They are both very polite and never try to pass off an old issue.

I don't buy it because I would feel guilty if I didn't (I wouldn't) I buy it because I like it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Nora Bell

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+1 Lyl. It's a very well writen paper. A real Real Change vendor will have a badge. Only buy from those withn a badge. Because, yes, as with many other things there will be scammers.

Posted 2 years ago #
VeganBiker

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I like Terry and most of the Real Change sellers.

Posted 2 years ago #
stopgo

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VeganBiker - you obviously have never been to the PCC in fremont. That guy makes me want to smash something.

Posted 2 years ago #
VeganBiker

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stopgo - during the summer months I normally have a CBC information table outside the Fremont PCC between 4 and 7 PM on Thursdays! Are you are talking about the older guy that stands in front of the west end door?

Posted 2 years ago #
mc7

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I don't buy them and don't feel guilty. I prefer to support the programs which provide substance abuse treatment and job training (Salvation Army and Union Gospel Mission for example). Selling $1 newspapers is not a solution to homelessness- it enables their lifestyles by making the sellers enough money to help support their habits but not enough to make a decent living.

Posted 2 years ago #
stopgo

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vegan. now i know who you are! I have probably seen you about 50 times. I frequent the fremont PCC, as I have a office in the direct vicinity that puts me in the area 3-5 times a week at night.

And yeah, that is the guy. 'Would you like to buy a real change'? 'No thanks'. 'Thanks. You have a safe and wonderful night. Keep smiling and be safe and happy'.

UGH

Posted 2 years ago #
great idea

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I like the Real Change guy in front of the U-district Safeway (don't go there very often, but he is a multi-year fixture).

it's a decent enough newspaper--aren't we all just trying to make enough money to support our habits? what is decent living anyway? not selling newspapers on the corner?

Posted 2 years ago #
Anonymous

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I work in Pioneer Square down by Real Change and have gotten to know some vendors and have met most of the people who work there (taking the pitbull to work is a great conversation starter with neighbors). I like the people who work there and they are trying hard to be a hand-up and not a hand-out. They offer free education on how to save money and help vendors get the help they need for issues like addiction and mental health problems and hook them up with social workers to get them in job training and school. And some of the vendors have used their service and work really hard and are really nice people. On the flipside, some of the people who sell their papers come in looking semi-conscious at best and get half a block away and pull a 40-ouncer out of the backpack and start drinking even if it is 10am. I think it's like most things - some people are doing great and are really nice to be around and some people are selfish, opportunistic jerks. It's the same thing I've seen working in large law offices - only there they have nicer clothes and much more expensive booze.

Posted 2 years ago #
stopgo

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mc7 lacks insist and is full of arrogance. don't mind her.

Guy in front of the U district safeway is the best. I used to live down that way, and was surprised to see him there just a few weeks ago.

Posted 2 years ago #
Anonymous

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Oh, and my opinion of Ballard's huge homeless problem is that the police could care less, it's one of the few neighborhoods that still sells fortified alcohol close to downtown, and there are a lot of people who bless their sweet but naive hearts, will stick up for them and give them money.

Posted 2 years ago #
stopgo

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ballardmama - good point. You could say the same exact thing about pizza hut employees.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mondoman

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2nd to SA's favorite at Bartell's.

Posted 2 years ago #
Womyn2me

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I like the guys in front of Trader Joe's who stand next to the 'no solicitation' sign. I asked inside once how there could be a sign with a Real Change sales guy leaning on it and they told me that they want people to know they do not support solicitations but have tried to stop them and apparently the police will not make them move along.

Posted 2 years ago #
onederfullone

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If they tell the responding officer that they want to trespass the vendor(s), the police will enforce it. I'd bet that they don't really want to enforce it, but put up the sign to give the appearance that they care.

The same thing was occurring at the 7-11, with drug dealing/use, consumption of alcohol directly under the 'no loitering' sign. A sign will give the appearance of enforcement, but the business has to follow it up, or the police can do nothing.

I'd suggest that they utilize the sign, or pull it down. Time to get real, folks.

Posted 2 years ago #
HeatherHeather

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I think everyone is missing the most obvious reason they hang out in Ballard:
Community Services! DSHS is right there by Fred Meyer. Additionally, there is room for camper parking (and places you can park your van/camper for days on end without getting ticketed/towed), one bus away from downtown, lots of places to buy liquor, and they're the greatest perceived threat in the neighborhood (versus gangs, general violence, etc).

Posted 2 years ago #
HeatherHeather

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on topic: Terry at Bartells is the best, love him

Posted 2 years ago #
sleepynb

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I used to always give to Real Change. Donated computers and stuff like that. When I did my shopping at Central Market (daughter at gymnastics), I gave to the same guy FOR 5 YEARS. Then I thought: "Where's the change in this?" So I stopped.

I did hire a guy to do yard work from the Millionnaire's club. He was so good, he worked for me for 4 summers and got back on his feet. Housing, shared computer access, vet benefits and SSI finally kicked in. And he happily had a home for his kids.

I just realized I miss him!

Posted 2 years ago #
marigold

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Speaking of the DSHS by FM, why do they have the biggest parking lot around? Not too many folks drive there, it as always very nearly empty. Maybe the state should sell of some of the land for development...make some $$, fund some programs.

End hijack

Posted 2 years ago #
lyl

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Marigold! Obviously you didn't grow up around here! The DSHS parking lot is where one went on Sundays to learn to drive! Very valuable community asset.

Posted 2 years ago #
lyl

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BTW, womyn and wonder, Trader Joe's and/or the police cannot kick a person off the PUBLIC SIDEWALK. Yet, anyway. Do you really think they ought to be able to do that? REALLY?

Posted 2 years ago #
lyl

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Maybe we could get rid of those annoying little girl scouts pushing cookies to the addicted! It's so blatant!

Posted 2 years ago #
HeatherHeather

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I am girl scout cookie monster zombie. COOOOKIIIEEEZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!

Posted 2 years ago #