Free calls for homeless

 I read in this morning's Providence Journal ( Dec. 21, page B1 )

    that the Travelers Aid Society and Cellular One will offer free telephone

    service - anywhere in the continental United States, Canada, or Caribbean

    islands today ,from 1 to 5 p.m.

           I have a suggestion for giving the homeless a permanent ADDRESS

    if not yet a home.  And it would be a rather prestigious address for

    these unlucky down and outs. My idea is inspired by the movie " You've

    Got Mail ".  

              The Travelers Aid Society might consider acquiring a number

    of personal computers  available to homeless for the all important

    purpose of communicating with numerous people anywhere in the world

    who might know them or be able to help them .

         It is a simple matter to register an E-Mail name and address on

    Excite for example or the Ocean State Free Net ( application may take

    a week or two for OSFN )  .

           Even if the homeless is illiterate ,all he will need for E-Mail

    purposes is a kindly helper .

          When the homeless person comes in from the cold one winter

    morning and sees " You've Got Mail " on a computer screen, he might

    begin to feel like a PERSON again ! Even if the E-Mail is not from

    Meg Ryan or Tom Hanks ! He or she will know that  SOMEBODY in the

    not so heartless world actually cares about their desperation.

             But then even the IRS might care too !