Jerry Summers Offers Insight On Homelessness

The Generosity of Hamilton Countians

The inhabitants of Hamilton County have a well-established tradition of extending kindness and assistance to the less fortunate among us. This act of benevolence has often been conveyed through personal accounts and documented experiences regarding interactions with the growing homeless population in our community.

The number of people experiencing homelessness, both local residents and incoming migrants, fluctuates regularly. Hamilton County is home to over 2500 registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charities, many of which are dedicated to providing aid to these homeless individuals, regardless of whether they are locals or newcomers from other cities, states, or countries. The ongoing political controversies around borders like those of California, Texas, New Mexico, among others, are not the focus of this discussion as it is widely accepted that we are all immigrants in one way or another.

Assistance to Disadvantaged Groups

Particularly, Chattanooga residents are known for their generosity towards military veterans and individuals suffering from mental disorders. Churches, civic groups, and various organizations regularly provide food, shelter, and free medical care apart from the financial aid sourced from local, state, and federal governments.

As Chattanooga/Hamilton County continues to flourish due to its natural scenic beauty, low taxes and reputation as a caring community, it concurrently attracts a diversified population and presents numerous benefits and challenges. The widely propagated belief of “bigger is better” translates to opportunities and challenges that will have to be evaluated moving forward. The incoming population brings with it not just individuals who genuinely deserve help, but also those who might exploit the system to their advantage.

Suggestions for Discernment and Responsibility

While no magic formula can entirely solve the complex issues surrounding homelessness, Jerry Summers offers some suggestions that could assist both donors and recipients of community aid in differentiating genuine cases from those who take advantage of such generosity:

If someone asks you for a donation while smoking a $7.00 Marlboro pack, their financial need may not be as dire as they claim.
The Humane Society and the McKamey Center have a plethora of adorable dogs that could be trained as rescue dogs with charitable non-profit funds. It would be a more respectful way to gain access to a restaurant instead of resorting to inappropriate public behavior.
The committed Public Works and Downtown Alliance workers could focus on more important duties if people took responsibility for disposing of empty food boxes, drink bottles, and other items appropriately rather than littering the streets.
If soliciting, please consider the appropriateness of your behavior, especially in the presence of children.
For legitimate military veterans begging for donations at intersections, it is suggested you produce some form of valid service identification to uphold the honor of those who have truly served our country.
If you’re a recipient of a bicycle from a benevolent 501(c)(3) non-profit, please wear visible clothing after dark and stay within bike lanes to ensure your safety.
If you are physically and mentally capable of accepting employment, you may eventually transition from homelessness to becoming a productive member of society.

Though there are no absolute solutions, these suggestions prompt much-needed conversations about the challenges, responsibilities, and potential solutions regarding homelessness. Recognizing the issue is the first step towards making a significant difference.

Please direct any responses to this to Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com.