Phil Kadner's Dec. 23 article in the SouthtownStar describes how homeless people are recruited by stores going out of business to stand in the cold, holding up signs to draw in customers.
Mike Wasserberg, executive director of CCH ally South Suburban PADS, told Kadner that stores post 'help wanted' notices on PADS office bulletin boards. He said PADS doesn't "encourage or discourage people" from taking the jobs.
"All we do is try to make sure our people are prepared for the weather," Wasserberg told Kadner. "We try to make sure they have a winter coat, gloves, long underwear and realize the hardships they'll be facing."
Kadner quotes Wasserberg further:
"But the fact is that if you're unemployed, if you need money, this is one of the few opportunities you may get to work. Around Christmas, some of our people really want a chance to earn a few dollars so they can go out and maybe get a gift for someone they love. It means a lot to them."
"And it may sound cruel, and it may be tough, but some of our homeless residents are willing to do whatever they can to earn a buck. And that flies in the face of critics who claim the homeless are lazy bums who don't want to work for a living. Many of our people are willing to do almost anything, if given a chance, to earn a paycheck."
