Vision Clinic Update Vision Clinic Manager, Violet Hofman, would like to thank the Olympia Host Lions Club for their support of our clinic. “In March of 2010, I became a member of the Olympia Host Lion’s Club. I thoroughly enjoy my Tuesday lunches with the other members, and I have learned so much from the special speakers that come to share at the meetings. Thank you Lion’s for accepting me as a member.” Violet Hofman, Vision Clinic Mgr.
Hello! My name is Marci Barton. I need glasses to see and can’t function without them. I don’t have health insurance, and when my glasses broke, I tried taping them. A supporter of OUGM told me about the Vision Clinic and Violet made it easy for me to make and keep my appointment. My new glasses help me see, and I love how they look. Thank You Everyone!
How To Handle Pan Handlers Have you ever been in the situation where you were stopped at an intersection, or walking down a public sidewalk, only to be approached by someone begging for money? The issue is not whether or not they truly need the money; the issue is the manner in which they are seeking to meet their financial needs. Giving money to those begging on the streets or sidewalks encourages them to continue this behavior and does nothing to minister to their need to build work skills, or receive mental health counseling. In addition, there are a growing number of “begging rings”. These are groups that are formed to “work” certain intersections or neighborhoods by changing locations with each other at regular intervals. They share resources and can make a good living by pan handling. Another trend happening in the “begging industry” is the use of mentally handicapped or other vulnerable adults, and also runaway teens, who are being “pimped” out by controllers who use fear and intimidation to keep them begging, and then take most of the money they earn for themselves. While not the usual reason you see someone begging in Thurston County, it is becoming a world wide problem, along with human trafficking. (Continued on back page)