Homeless Vet Timelapse Transformation

[Iwillnevergiveup]

[Half-Century Man]

1. Do not judge a book by it's cover.

I say, Mr. Wolf's transformation of self (attending AA and applying for housing through the ministry) was not so much a product of a haircut and change of clothes, but through someone showing they felt he had value. Because someone took the effort to attend to those superficial changes, Mr Wolf was able to regain his ability to believe in/value himself again. Having reliable shelter and a support system for overcoming an addiction are massively important, yet he still faces a society with too few opportunities for too many of it's members. He is still confronting a lot of pitfalls to relapse into a state of self valuelessness. I sincerely hope he makes it.

[Chiquitita]

2. That was beautiful.

[Plucketeer]

3. Engaging to watch

Intriguing in that I've personally never gotten such a makeover - never wanted one and still don't. And it's certainly heartening to hear that Jim's got a new-found pocket full of self esteem. Now what's Jim gonna do for meaningful employment? The one percenters will offer Jim a minimum wage job that he'll have a hard time getting by on. But of course, those overlords have striven tirelessly for the last 40 years to make Americans eager to work for third world wages - and it's worked! We've got Nafta, Cafta and the looming TPP to set us back a century or so. So while this vid is engaging and intriguing, it's less than inspiring when you comprehend what lies ahead for Jim as he tries to step out of the shadows that keep him invisible to so many.

Personally - I served IN Vietnam so I can wear clothes that are made there. And to think of all the folks who gave their ALL there for such a noble cause - jobs for Vietmanese. Jim and I are lucky in that we'll soon be able to buy low-priced goods from Iraq and Afghanistan at Walmart. Maybe Jim'll get a great job there as well!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

4. I hear you, Plucketeer

What's required is concentrated, massive follow-up with this young man to be all that he can be. The outward appearance is the easy part. One of our Los Angeles Times reporters (Steve Lopez), who writes a couple of columns a week took on a schizophrenic, homeless man years ago and literally walked him through many processes so that he is finally housed and properly cared for. The poor guy happens to be a gifted musician, and Lopez's diligent efforts and hard work changed his friend's life forever.

But there are so many more out there who have virtually nothing, and what's to become of them?