While having this time over break to reflect on the firs half of the semester I found myself discussing the homeless issue with my parents. My mom is part of a charity league (Assistance League if anyone has heard of it), and the day I came home for break she was not home because she was out volunteering. She was at a local Target, with several other members, awaiting the arrival of 50 homeless people to come and shop. They were giving out gift cards worth $120 to help them purchase basic necessities. Target also took away taxes and gave them a slight discount, so they were really allowed to buy $138 worth of items. They only had 38 people show up, but for those 38 people I am sure it helped them a lot. It is simple acts and partnering like this that helps us take little steps toward helping someone back on their feet. Yes, there are the ones who did not come, but the ones who did are showing that they are trying to get back on their feet. I also spoke with my dad about the “tent city” along the 57 freeway and how those who lived there were now being put into hotels. This is not too far from where I live so I have been seeing several angry post from people that I know because it is their tax dollar providing this lodging until the city knows what to do with them. This issue just shows that no one is ever going to be happy with whatever current situation is going on – it is a part of life. It is not just directed at the homeless population, it is every issue we face. There is no possible way to please EVERY SINGLE PERSON, but that is why compromise is a key factor to living with other people. My dad and I tried to spit ball a few ideas back and forth about a possible solution, but we recognize at the end of the day it would take a lot of people to agree. We said that creating a tent city in the high desert where resources are available to help those who want to get back on their feet do so would be a good idea, but it is the matter of getting it started.