Homeless Shelter Coming to Ashburn - Meeting Oct.23

Some of these posts/rants are just ridiculous. It isn't a government agency, you don't have to support them, its not your money "wasted". They BOUGHT the land. If you don't want someone moving in next to you, you have to buy that lot too! If any other business opens, it will draw people as well, and you might not like them all. Can't anyone be happy that a business came in that actually helps people? Granted, we'd all be happier if it was another chain restaurant to spend money at and then complain the service wasn't sufficient.
There were articles in the local paper about GSA coming, and the thrift store has been advertising locally for months. Why do you feel blindsided, or even feel you have the right to be notified in advance that a business is opening?
Hopefully those children you are trying to protect can benefit from seeing how quickly someone's fate can change, observing that all people who are down on their luck aren't horrible violent felons, and gain a level of appreciation for all you have been fortunate enough to provide for them. Most importantly, I hope they are exposed to adults who give of themselves, their time and their hearts to actually make a difference.

 

After reading all these posts...it makes me very sad to read about some of the negative reactions for a Homeless Shelter coming to Ashburn! My gosh - there are a lot more homeless people than you can imagine in Loudoun County. Reach out to them, volunteer, open up your hearts.

 

Some of these posts/rants are just ridiculous. It isn't a government agency, you don't have to support them, its not your money "wasted".


Not true. The county supports GSA with Tax dollars. True, GSA also earns money from their retail operation and donations but why alienate the people in Ashburn many who will not support them now? Why not move the shelter to a location that does not put unnecessary risk on our children?

 

eam,

Nice job. We plan on volunteering there.

 

So the reason GSA is locating in Old Town Ashburn is that the land was available cheaply and the zoning on the lot was such that they could do what they please. I believe what Robert Hamilton, Flynnibus and myself are saying is not that we don't wish to help the needy, but that this is the wrong location for this facility. It's been quoted that even GSA knows most of the homeless in our county are in Leesburg. So why aren't they locating in Leesburg?

Why in Ashburn? It's great to want to help the homeless, but you could still volunteer even they were located in Leesburg.

Apparently, if Lee is correct, this facility will be built (By Right). There is nothing that can be done to stop it. I hope all who are claiming they will volunteer will follow through. Maybe we can make the best of what I feel is a bad situation.

 

Alienate the people in Ashburn?! You are choosing to react out of fear rather than getting involved and helping out. You act as if GSA is committing some egregious act by fulfilling their mission to help people. You are choosing to be alienated rather than help out, that's all.

 

Here's my challenge to the 400 people who have signed the petition against GSA. Rather than reacting out of fear and anxiety, I would challenge you to instead set an example for your children and volunteer two hours out of each month to help GSA and the homeless men, women and children who come in there.

We have tremendous wealth in this community, and I don't mean financially. I mean weath of experience and talents. This community is filled with people who have tremendous skills--what if we used them to help our neighbors get back on their feet, to help them find jobs, to counsel them, encourage them and help them to make wise decisions.

What if your kids saw you reaching out to volunteer to help those in need, rather than ranting and raving and getting upset at a charitable organization? Your kids would be able to see what happens when you hit rough times, and yes, when you make bad decisions. They'd get to see that the world doesn't revolve around them, that living in $600k houses and taking expensive vacations isn't the norm. They'd get to experience firsthand what it means to volunteer and help people.

For those who say that people are homeless because they have made choices, I agree. But many of us have made bad choices, too, but for some reason we were spared. How many of you have had one drink too many, but still drove home when you were 18, 28, 38? What if that one time you had hit another person, lost your license, your job, etc? Many of us have played with fire even as adults, but not gotten burned. In my experience, we aren't as far away from the "homeless" as we may think.

For those concerned about their property values being hurt, I can make you a guarantee. The more you get upset and create controversy out of your fear and anger, the more bad publicity will come to this...and hence, you will create the very situation you feared. But what if you dug in, went over to GSA and volunteered your time and talents? What if this facility and community became a shining example of what happens when people come together to help others? What if we, through our managerial, technical and professional expertise, could elevate the GSA services to make it the most effective and safe charity in the state?

just something to think about. Oh, and you'd be doing this for your kids.

 

Just curious - as there are similarities, I wonder how many people who are FOR the shelter are AGAINST the hospital.

I bet most of "US" would have a differring opinion if the shelter were being built in Broadlands.

 

Well said Silence Dogood99!!! Although I can understand the people with small children and those who live near by their feelings on all this.

As far as property values dropping over the long tern not a chance in hell will that happen long term.

Loudoun has a finite supply of homes and the new building of subdivisions is very limited. So there will always be a limited supply of especially single family. The new urban centers will bring in a lot of high paying jobs further enhancing property values in Loudoun over the long term. The more I read about this shelter the more I feel it should be built and operational. I was at first in the middle now I am for the shelter after much reading on the subject. This will be an asset rather then a problem, but if I still had young kids I might feel different, but after my experience with the homeless out in Santa Monica Ca when my kids were young they they were everywhere it was rewarding helping out as a family and thru our school out there. SO I probably because of that rewarding experience would still say yes to the shelter as planned.

Lee j

 

T8er -
I am FOR the shelter and I am also FOR the hospital.

I don't live in a "me me me" centric world. Maybe its my experiences and how close I have come at times to disaster. The arrogance of this area is astounding, and I grew up here. I try to make sure my daughter realizes that all the "bling" around here is not the norm and that she is lucky. And you know what? She appreciates all she has. I am not going to get into a hospital debate, but the same principles apply. Oh and I do own my home and am as invested in it as anyone. I just think more big picture and less "my investment".

 

Yes I am against the hospital at that location but further away from residential would be fine. There is a serious noise problem associated with hospitals that is why it should not be built there plus there will also be a need for far more doctors offices then the land adjoining can handle. Nothing like Landsdowne which is a commercial zone surrounded by commercial and plenty of space for doctor offices. Don't kid yourselves that hospitals never will expand and grow. My thoughts have nothing to do with the types of people that would be around the hospital.

Having said that a shelter would be just fine with me in the Broadlands Not different then some of the people that would be at the hospital anyway. The hospital is an operational and noise problem not a people problem.

Lee j

Lee j

 

Eric, I actually think that there is a relationship between the two. How many people were worried about the "type" of people the hospital (and now the shelter) would attract.

 

Good point Mr. Linux, in fact the hospital is moot, I here it is now going to be a day labor site.:hide:

 

Lee-
It's obvious you have never seen the plans for the hospital. They have plenty of space for their needs. In their application, they show not only the amoount of space/number of buildings needed initially, but show there future growth plans as well. In addition to that, they have space that could accomodate more expansion if needed.
Let me know if you'd like to see the plans.

 

What about the power lines?

 

It's over there will be no drop in center just by appointment only.

http://loudounextra.washingtonpost....drops-plans-ashburn-homeless-facility/?latest

Lee j

 

Lee - Thanks for the WaPost update.

IMO...this is just plain sad and shows the "you first after me, mentality” unreal yet not surprised.

GSA has a solid rep and provides much needed services. As Marie stated "leave it to beaver land" - Ashburn is truly not this...as a new mom, my children will learn it's not socially balanced to have a "me centric" attitude.

Sometimes people need assistance to get their life back on to track and boy did a bunch of folks just derail this opportunity for them.