Hard Times Generation: Families living in cars

One threat to a family out here is idleness, so the folks that we met fill the days with every free and normal thing. After school, the Metzgers drive their truck to the library.

Arielle Metzger: 'Cause they've got the computers that we can use. And light and all that.

Pelley: I wonder what education means to you two?

Austin Metzger: It's everything.

Arielle Metzger: It is everything to us. I plan to be a child defense lawyer. If I focus on my studies, I have that opportunity.

The American dream is durable. And there is something about growing up in a truck that makes you believe in it all the more. As we tagged along with the Metzgers they told us they like the truck better than a motel and they wanted to show us something they've been doing in the evenings: they're acting in a community theater, a free and normal thing.

On stage they had a chance to be somebody else, but what struck us most was that they were just as happy in their roles as the Metzgers.

Arielle Metzger: Before the truck I always saw all these homeless people and I would feel so bad for them. And then as soon as we started living in the truck ourselves I've seen even more. And I just feel so bad. And even though I'm homeless myself I wanna do as much as I can to help them get up, back on their feet.

Pelley: You sound very adult to me.

Austin Metzger: She is. She likes to take over.

Pelley: And you too a little bit, Austin. You had to grow up pretty fast?

Arielle Metzger: Yeah.

Austin Metzger: Yeah.

Arielle Metzger: Every time I see like a teenager or any other kid fighting with their parents or arguing with them and like not doing what they're told it really hurts me. Because they could be in my shoes. And of course I don't want them to be in my shoes. But they need to learn to appreciate what they have and who they have in their life. Because it may be the last day they might have it.

At the end of this day - when the play was over and the kids were ready for bed - Tom Metzger judged the lighting behind the theater and decided this was as good a spot as any in Seminole County to make a home for the night.

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[JOBR43]

I am a retired engineer who has just seen this episode. What strikes me is that a lot of us can contribute a relatively modest amount to help. Rather than wring our hand in the comments section, let's actually do something.I seriously doubt that it will go anywhere, but I'll give it a shot. Here's my proposal:

Let's create a middle-class matching strategy. CBS News has evidently already found effective agencies to direct contributions. Let CBS news create or select a national clearinghouse of proven effectiveness in helping people such as those shown in the segment.

Let each of us who are worth less than $100 million(challenger) challenge a person of our choice worth more than $100 million (challengee) to donate to the clearinghouse selected by CBS News as effective in direct solutions to this problem. The challenge takes this form: for each $1.00 the challengee donates, the challenger will donate in proportion to the net worth of the challenger up to 0.5% of their liquid net worth.

To start, I challenge Mitt Romney, estimated net worth of $225 million to donate. As a personal example, my liquid net worth is about 0.5% of Romney's, so I will donate $.05 for every $10.00 that Mr. Romney donates up to $1 million donated by Mr. Romney. Mr. Romney does not have to donate up front, just publicly pledge to match. If I can contribute up to $5,000, surely Mr. Romney can afford to contribute $1 million. Others can match Mr. Romney or others as they see fit. Mr. Romney's supporters or other interested people can join in as they see fit.

I'll leave it to CBS News to accept publishing, televising, verifying and managing this challenge as they see fit, or not, but I am dead serious. This could become a regular short followup segment so that viewers and contributors could track progress and results of the challenge. Other wealthy individuals can accept the challenge. I suggest that the challenge have a fixed duration of six months and a limited number of wealthy challengees.

This isn't a deeply researched proposal, and CBS News could find any number of reasons not to accept the concept and refine it. This is also a challenge to CBS News to step up, although I recognize there may be valid reasons that render it impractible.

I believe in this idea for several reasons:
1.
It has the chance of generating a lot of money that will benefit worthy people in need and help the economy. In other words, it could actually do some substantial good instead of just 20 minutes of on-air hand-wringing.
2.
It allows the challengees to demonstrate that they are willing to donate in a way that leverages their contribution in proportion to the net worth of those less wealthy. In other words it is fair and balanced.
3.
It could draw us together as a nation in a cause that few could truly criticize. I pick Mr. Romney because he is high profile and as a Presidential candidate could demonstrate leadership and sensitivity to the needs of those less fortunate, a trait that does not seem to be his strongest point.It could make both the wealthy and the less wealthy understand the differences that wealth makes.

[wunqueen]

Have we forgotten about ghettos I'm just a generation removed

[vencedora]

This is a story shared by my kids and I, except we don't have a truck to live in. I went from professional/homeowner to homeless in a downward slide starting in 2008. I find it hard to believe we are here & I know we'll be fine in time, but it is the interim that is scary and uncomfortable. My kids (11 & 16) have drive & fight, but it's hard on them.

You can see a commentay I wrote on the situation at: http://healingfine.com/homeless-for-the-holiday-a-thanksgiving-reflection/ There is also a spot to donate toward a fund to pay for a deposit/first months rent on a studio or 1 bedroom apt. We are not in Florida in order to avail ourselves of this help organization, unfortunately. Being highly employable and very motivated, I hope for a quick return to normalcy. Even with the kids' positive attitudes, I can see the toll it is taking on them and it hurts. Good on CBS for calling attention to this growing issue.

[laureenmillarholt]

An unfortunate situation for families like these Metzgers. At least the children seem to have a good fix on it, & a positive attitude. Homelessness is not good, but it sure isn't the worst thing that can happen to you.

I've read some stories of families living in units @ mini-storage businesses. I wouldn't have a problem w/it if I owned such a business & a family took up residence. You do what you have to do to get by in this world, til your circumstances improve, however long that takes.

[[e-mail]]

It's too bad that college scholarships were not offered to all the kids. They're all in the same situation, so what's the difference amongst them when offering the scholarship?

[T-Kraus]

This story really comes down to how determined these young people are during such trying times in their lives. Families such as the Metzger's embody the American Dream. With the help of their local schools also, it seems even when government is making drastic budget cuts, the priority is always on the children. The Food Services of Seminole County Public Schools, along with an organization called Families In Transition, come together to make funds available so kids like the Metzger's can have two meals a day without having to worry. If anyone really wants to help make the lives of students like these two young people, consider taking a look at what the school system is doing to help them and make a donation to the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools.
http://www.facebook.com/seminolecountyschoolsfoodservice
http://www.foundationscps.org/
It's the least we can do in this season of giving.

[aduset]

Tears came out of my eyes when viewing this story: how could this happen in the United States of America! Very very sad...but what it is more unbelievable, is that in the same State of Florida, banks as J.P.Morgan Chase are holding sales of foreclosed homes and accepting to make the sale to the highest bidder with a blind eye, because most of the time this sales are made to FOREIGNERS, from countries as far south as Argentina, which come to the USA and take advantage of very relaxed laws, and under the advise of Certified Public Accountants from Florida who only have the sign of $$$ on their eyes, advise the foreigners to form some kind of corporation or LLC to avoid paying taxes on most of the rental income produce later by these properties. LLC's, or limited liability corporations, that are a complete fraud, because they exits for a short period of time and don't pay any taxes! This is an outrage! Your TV program should investigate all of this, which is very easy, just Google: "Foreigners Buying foreclosed property in Florida" and you'll be surprised of the pages and pages of Real Estate Agents, CPA's and others offering their services and advise, while we have these poor families living in cars...Where is the watchful eye of the IRS? Where are our Congressmen and women? Didn't we vote for them so they would take care of their own citizens FIRST?

[Theotherfamily]

If you want to help the Coates Family which was the family feature with 3 little girls, please donate at: http://www.gofundme.com/aq80s I know them personally and our community in the wash dc area is raising money fr them.God Bless!!

[Neworleanspoor]

It is a sad story, but those two kids have more backbone than 99% of the numbnuts punks that I see weekly. With that reality check , and a stiff one at that, they will be much better off in a few years than those bearing Ipods and sms'in front big houses with dirty rooms. What is shock value to most, is charactor building at the right time. I would say the young girl as more conviction that anyone I have seen in the past decade . Bravo to them ! They will excell without missing anything that is important to most out there.

[Wes_Teresa]

The story last night has really effected me and I've thought deeply about it most of the day. I could not believe my eyes or ears and something needs to be done. Is there anyway I could help this family (Austin and Arielle) out in some way. Possibly food or clothing or something. I want to help in some way! I thought maybe I could deliver goods to them but how would I find them?? I have a travel trailer sitting in my driveway . . . Is there a camp ground near them who would discount there stay or provide a site for free??? Hopefully someone will write back as to what I can do to aid in any way. I am a Navy Veteran who served my country proudly. No person especially a child should be in this situation!!

[Theotherfamily]

If you want to help the Coates Family which was the family feature with 3 little girls, please donate at: http://www.gofundme.com/aq80s I know them personally and our community in the wash dc area is raising money fr them.God Bless!!

[laj57]

IF FEMA has extra trailers, they should give them first to the families who don't have a vehicle to stay in. Then go from there to families staying in vehicles. The families could stay in trailers instead of motel rooms, the money could go for electric and they would qualify for reduced rates. Maybe it would be cheaper then motel rooms and the families would be able to stay longer.