NA-AA are free services for those who want to stop using drugs, alcohol, then there were programs such as the former Stump Ranch, but they went bankrupt because these social leeches squandered their public assistance and didn't pay their room and board though taxpayers supplied them the ability to do so. As for the mentally ill, one more time, gary, the courts have empowered them to refuse help. the vets with PTSD are being helped through Saint Vinnies and the VA...just to reference a few. One more time, standing on street corners professionally begging is not looking for work, it's looking for a fool and their money shall soon depart to fund their obnoxious dysfunctional dead end dead beat life.