Archived Topics
Old Town Poor Farm
Posted By: Dick <artattic@crosslink.net>
Date: Friday, 10 May 2002, at 10:49 a.m.
I was viewing the pictures in Gallery 25 and there was a picture of the old Town Poor Farm building built in 1877. It housed the poor and "tramps". It was situated where Friendly's is today. The Town paid for their room and board but the occupants HAD to work for the town for the services provided. What ever happend to that concept in America today?
1 post missing
Posted By: Dick <artattic@crosslink.net>
Date: Monday, 13 May 2002, at 6:42 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (Wendi Clark)
I was quoting the language associated with picture in the Gallery. The point you missed is that people who needed assistance received it and also had to work for it thereby perserving their own dignity.
Posted By: Wendi Clark <thequeenbea2001@hotmail.com>
Date: Monday, 13 May 2002, at 8:03 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (Dick)
I do not believe I missed any point, because in your original post, the only point I saw was, you wondering what happened to "those days" when people (the poor and tramps) had to work for Town Assistance. You said NOTHING about preserving anyones dignity. If that is what you meant to state, then maybe you should have done so in the first place. Communication is so very important, especially in threads such as these when one cannot see one anothers facial expressions and mannerisms and cannot instantly correct what one meant to say. Thank you again for allowing me to express myself.
Posted By: Dick <artattic@crosslink.net>
Date: Monday, 13 May 2002, at 5:34 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (Wendi Clark)
I will try again. The point in my original message was that Willimantic had a system to provide assistance to those who were "down on their luck" and gave them a place to sleep and eat. In return for this assistance the people worked for the Town doing whatever was necessary. My point was that the Town had a program that provided people an opportunity to work for a place to sleep and eat. I assume that people at that time were also proud and did not want to take something without paying for it in some way--dignity. My reference to "those days" as you state was not, as you put it, "when people had to work for Town Assistance." My last statement was "whatever happend to that concept" meaning that a local government had system to help people and they in turn provided labor in return. Something that is missing today in terms of providing assistance to those who need it. I believe people who need help,and there is nothing inherently wrong with that, but I think they are willing to provide some way of returning the favor. In term of communications, I think you read into my message beyond what was said.
Posted By: Wendi Clark <thequeenbea2001@hotmail.com>
Date: Monday, 13 May 2002, at 8:42 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (Dick)
I think I read what was written, period. And I for one have recieved Town Assistance from Willimantic and other towns/cities in Connecticut, and there are certain requirements that I had to meet in order to be eligible. And trust me when I tell you this, it was work. Especially the endless paperwork that is needed to even get on. And then half the time it is lost by the Town Case Workers and it has to be done all over again. It is enough to make ones head swim. I am disabled and recieve SSI now because I have liver disease, and am very sick. I had to be on City Assistance where I live now, then State Assistance until the SSI kicked in. I really don't think it would have been appropriate for me to work for the help I recieved. MY point is, that TODAY in 2002, times HAVE changed and also everyones circumstances for needing assistance is different ~ such as mine ~ I have been told it is wise to live in today because it is a 'present', get out of the past because it is 'history', and tomorrow is a 'mystery'....... By the way Dick, do you actually know what goes in to being eligible today for Town Assistance, or know anyone that is on it? Thank you again for allowing me to express myself.
M
Posted By: Dick <artattic@crosslink.net>
Date: Thursday, 16 May 2002, at 6:23 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (Wendi Clark)
After I retired I worked for the Agency on Aging in rural Virginia where the primary employment is farming and watermen. About 35% of the population is 55 and over. One of the program I worked with was helping to find assistance for elderly people who were usually alone; only source of income was SS and that averaged about $500/mo.;some homes had no indoor plumbing and heat was either kerosene stove or wood. Many of these people had serious health problems and their monthly prescriptions ate up a lot of their income. I would meet with others from the Agency and reps from local goverment like Social Services, etc to map out a plan to obtain more assistance from the federal, state, or local government. It was tough because there is a limit to funds. Case workers have to qualify each one based on a strict evaluation of the individual's ability to care for themeselves--referred to as ADLs. What I tried to do mostly was to arrange for other senior citizens to visit these people or at least call them several times a week to let them know someone cares and is concerned about their well being. Also made sure they were receiving Meal on Wheels 5 days per week. We also had volunteers who drove them to the doctors and or some who needed to be treated by specialist in a major hospital like in Richmond. This would be an all day trip for the volunteer driver. I also established a "Bill Payers" program where trained volunteers who helped seniors who needed help maintaing their finances on a monthly basis. The volunteer on a monthly basis visit the individual and write out checks for expenses/bills and make sure the money was properly accounted for. In the summer months I would help deliver donated window air conditioners and new fans that the local Wal Mart provided each year. I truly enjoyed working with the seniors and was glad to help in anyway possible. I recognize that many are not able to work for the assistance they receive and thats as it should be. But there are many younger citizens out who are healthy and receive some sort of assistance and rely on the system to maintain them.
Posted By: Wendi Clark <thequeenbea2001@hotmail.com>
Date: Thursday, 16 May 2002, at 7:41 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (Dick)
Phew!!! You are human after all ~ I think what you did for those folk in Virginia was absolutely wonderful :) We need someone like you in CT. up at the LOB in Hartford when bills come up for funding for such programs. What bothered me was your last sentance. I think you will find that most of the 'younger citizens' who recieve assistance have many issues that cannot allow them to work at that time... such as mental health issues, substance abuse issues, etc. ~ you get the idea ~ and it would be more beneficial to them and the community to get them the help that they need while on assistance. Work may be very inapropriate for such individuals. I do think that someone who is trying to 'play' the system should be penalized. And that if someone is willing and able to do something for one of the community agencies in town, that they would benefit from volunteering ~ great for the self-esteem when all seems lost. I just have a hard time with being 'made' to work for assistance. It seems so harsh and generic. Maybe I still have a hard time with the 'authority' thing, but I do thank you for allowing me to express myself here. Have a wonderful day... it looks very promising outside already :) Peace
Posted By: dick <dsimmons@mindspring.com>
Date: Thursday, 16 May 2002, at 7:39 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (Wendi Clark)
Dick & Wendy;
I'm glad that you have come to an amicable agreement. I have enjoyed reading your e-mail dicussions. Too bad there aren't more like them. Thanks again for some enlightening discussions.
Posted By: Wendi Clark <thequeenbea2001@hotmail.com>
Date: Friday, 17 May 2002, at 9:01 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Town Poor Farm (dick)
You are most welcome. :) I do enjoy going 'toe to toe' with an issue IF I know about it, personal experience especially. I have a passion for advocating for people who are where I have been. I am extremely grateful for having made it out of Willimantic alive and in one piece. I owe my life to many of the Towns public servants and Social Service workers. I have a very different life today, than what I had when I lived in Willimantic. However I still keep in contact with those who helped me, and I am always available to those who want to change their life like I have changed mine. Again thank you for letting me express myself here. Ciao ~