Is PADS Safe? You be the judge. Click on the link to the left to read an exerpt from the PADS training manual for volunteers and ask yourself, "How is it that PADS can import homeless people into our community and create safety rules for its volunteers and yet not issue these same safety rules to the general public and the Glen Ellyn residents?" The public has a right to know how to handle these dangerous situations, particularly if PADS is responsible for creating them.
Read about the target audience that PADS specifically seeks out in the links, PADS Provides Shelter for Parolees and PADS Target Population, at the left.
PADS vs. Bridge Communities
People think that all organizations that help the homeless are the same. They are not. Listed below are the types of people PADS targets vs. Bridge Communities, as an example. Which organization looks safer to you?
| | PADS | Bridge Communities |
| Target Population | | |
| Families | Yes | Yes |
| Adult Individuals | Yes | No |
| Unaccompanied Youth | No | No |
| Domestic Violence | Yes | No |
| Substance Abusers | Yes | No |
| Mentally Ill | Yes | No |
| Formerly Incarcerated | Yes | No |
| Known HIV | Yes | No |
| Seniors | Yes | No |
| Must Speak English | No | Yes |
Homelessness increases one's risk for primarily 3 diseases: community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA or "MERSA"), HIV and TB. See the link on the left for more information on Homelessness and Health Risks.
Visit the link to the PADS schedule for October-April and drive or walk by the hosting locations at 6:30 PM on the nights the shelter is open.
See for yourself firsthand and use your own best judgement as to whether PADS is a benefit to the community.
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