ShareThisPhilip Mangano's life was sailing smoothly along when it ran aground on a movie that made him rethink what was really, truly important, and here is what ensued -- less misery for thousands of America's homeless and an impressive if largely unsung accomplishment for the administration of President George W. Bush.
It was 29 years ago when Mangano, who then owned a booming music business in Los Angeles, saw "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," a film about Francis of Assisi. He decided that, for the rest of his life, he would serve the poor as the gentle and loving 12th century saint had done.
That meant giving away his business to some co-workers and volunteering for three years on a Boston breadline. After that came a series of positions in government and advocacy groups in Cambridge and Boston and then as head of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance. All this time he was learning. And becoming frustrated.
Despite the years of work in helping to feed the chronically homeless, providing them with temporary shelter and otherwise trying to serve their needs, nothing improved. In fact, their numbers grew, as did the enormous costs of dealing with their problems.
People may think a homeless person costs society nothing. They should think again. The cost runs between $35,000 a year to $155,000 each as they are taken to emergency rooms or arrested and as various agencies attempt to deal with them, Mangano told me. He explained, for instance, that a typical emergency room visit costs $1,000 as a consequence of legally obligatory testing.
As a Bostonian, Mangano is loyal to the abolitionist idea that blossomed in that city in the 19th century, namely that you should not just tinker with slavery but end it. He also believes what Albert Einstein once said, that it's a definition of insanity to keep trying something that doesn't work. So he came at the problem of homelessness from a data-informed business perspective that said if you give a homeless person a home, you will begin to fix things. He was right.
For some, it might be counterintuitive that giving the homeless rent-free living space in an efficiency apartment and providing community services there could be cheaper than letting them sprawl on the streets at night, but it is -- a per-person cost of $13,000 to $25,000 a year. Tourism picks up. Taxpayers get a break. And the homeless have a better shot at dealing with such afflictions as mental illness, alcoholism or other factors contributing to their situation. Their suffering diminishes.
Seven years ago, Mangano took over the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, reporting to the White House and setting out as a kind of evangelist to convince local governments to sign up for 10-year partnerships with the federal government. Saying yes were 350 communities in which some 90 percent of the homeless live, and guess what? According to data from as recently as 2007, the number of the most seriously disabled out on the streets is down by 30 percent.
It's a remarkable story that maybe you haven't heard because the administration -- frequently said to be unconcerned about the poor -- has avoided bragging. This is a non-partisan effort -- the arrangements being made are with officials of all parties, but mainly Democratic mayors. If the Democrats sense any political advantage seeking by Republicans here, they might be more reluctant to participate, and the administration has therefore sacrificed publicity for the sake of getting something done.
With hard times coming at us, the Mangano approach could be more important than ever, and a question is whether the new administration will stick with it. My guess is that it will find this a Bush legacy worth clinging to.
(Jay Ambrose, formerly Washington director of editorial policy for Scripps Howard newspapers and the editor of dailies in El Paso, Texas, and Denver, is a columnist living in Colorado. He can be reached at SpeaktoJay(at)aol.com.)
COLUMNSecond in a series
I would like to appreciate
I would like to appreciate the great work done by You
Generic Viagra Viagra Online Cheap Generic Viagra Generic Cialis Generic Levitra generic propecia Generic Viagra careprost Lumigan retin a generic dostinex generic avodart generic imitrex generic maxalt benoquin generic stromectol ventolin generic lamisil generic arimidex generic ventolin generic clomid generic nexium シアリス レビトラ プロペシア バイアグラ ルミガン ケアプロスト アボダート イミグラン ベネトリン
ventolin generic biltricide generic avodart イミグラン ベネトリン
Online Pharmacy
Tiffany and Co
Favorite Youth Collection ladydaan want to know your puppy lover tiffany? Now you have a good chance. A tiffany & co or earrings to make her feel special how much you care. Now, it has spread to many countries, you can buy beautiful jewelry at these shops. But if you do not like shopping, you can also buy a Tiffany and Co from website. From jewelry is believed that the end-point of true religion clothing, which could cause one of the personalities and characters with the tiffany jewellery. Maybe you are obsessed with jewelry shops, but have you ever thought that if you want to buy Tiffany Co is really suitable for your girlfriend? They do not become more attractive girlfriend? I do not mean that the options are not great, but the point is that does the Tiffany and Co Rings match the shape of the face of his girlfriend and style ghd hair straighteners? Entrance fees according to the following advice with the Tiffany and Co Bracelets. Some tips on choosing and matching jewelry stores are the following. Hope to help! If your girlfriend likes luxury, classic design Diamond will be the best option. If your girlfriend low life, sterling silver or gold can be your best option. To highlight the effect of Tiffany Bracelets, jewelry, make sure they go well with the skin of his girlfriend, age, clothing, etc. Rule of thumb: Tiffany and Tiffany Rings must be uncommon in the shape of your face, but can not be totally opposite at the same time.
Tiffany and Co
Favorite Youth Collection ladydaan want to know your puppy lover tiffany? Now you have a good chance. A tiffany & co or earrings to make her feel special how much you care. Now, it has spread to many countries, you can buy beautiful jewelry at these shops. But if you do not like shopping, you can also buy a Tiffany and Co from website. From jewelry is believed that the end-point of true religion clothing, which could cause one of the personalities and characters with the tiffany jewellery. Maybe you are obsessed with jewelry shops, but have you ever thought that if you want to buy Tiffany Co is really suitable for your girlfriend? They do not become more attractive girlfriend? I do not mean that the options are not great, but the point is that does the Tiffany and Co Rings match the shape of the face of his girlfriend and style ghd hair straighteners? Entrance fees according to the following advice with the Tiffany and Co Bracelets. Some tips on choosing and matching jewelry stores are the following. Hope to help! If your girlfriend likes luxury, classic design Diamond will be the best option. If your girlfriend low life, sterling silver or gold can be your best option. To highlight the effect of Tiffany Bracelets, jewelry, make sure they go well with the skin of his girlfriend, age, clothing, etc. Rule of thumb: Tiffany and Tiffany Rings must be uncommon in the shape of your face, but can not be totally opposite at the same time.
http://www.23airjordans.com/nike-jordan-packages-c-101.html
A simple repair to your air jordans garbage jordan shoes disposal. A fresh faux jordans for sale jordan shoes for sale paint nike jordan packages treatment air jordan 1 to a bedroom wall. air jordan 2 A once-tired table air jordan 3 that's air jordan 4 been air jordan v sanded, stained, air jordan vi and brought air jordan 7 back to life. air jordan 8 None of these may seem air jordan 9 like life-changing jordan shoes 10 achievements air jordan 11 air jordan 12 at the air jordan 13 time. air jordan 14 But a home improvement air jordan 15 air jordan xvi project air jordan 23 actually has the power to change how you feel about yourself forever. A task that once seemed beyond your talents can become a confidence building life lesson. Each new project has the power to change who we are. Sound a bit Zen? It is and it's very powerful.