"I'm the president of a homeless shelter in my region.
First, I would like to say that the homeless are just neighbors without homes... nothing more. About 60% of the folks who stay in our shelter are there for less than 2 weeks. Something happened to them that dropped them out of a housed situation: loss of a job, a medical situation, car breakdown (which might result in loss of job), etc... generally, something economic failed them (which says a lot more about our economic system than these individuals BTW) in some way (as opposed to mental health or substance abuse). They don't need a lot of help to get back on their feet, and we go to great lengths to help them with the problems they ask for help with, and let to them find the solution that they think will work for them... most often, they know what to do and what they need help with.
The most important thing that homeless people need are homes. Any other problem they may have is orders of magnitude more manageable in the stability of a home. period.
We do in fact have a lot of folks who are substance abusers or have mental health problems (or both... shudder). Obviously, they can be a lot more challenging.
The causes of homelessness are many, so it's difficult to "label" people and we wouldn't want to if we could. We just have to work face to face with every individual while having a strong regard for their dignity as neighbors and friends and for their own judgment. That seems to do the trick in most cases.
Regarding help that you might want to give, I think you just have to use
your judgment. It's not a bad idea to carry some $5-$20 gift cards for
local shops or resturants; target/walmart are good (but be mindful that
you might need a car to get to them in some areas and many homeless are
carless... [imaging living in this society without one!]). A nearby
grocery store or drug store (CVS, Walgrens, etc) will help them to get
food, socks, toiletries, etc. and might give you a little peace-of-mind
about drugs and alcohol. Sometimes, I just give cash and leave it to the
individual's own judgment (with maybe a nudge from the H.S.).
Bottom lines:
Notice them; don't ignore them.
Treat them like neighbors, which is just what they are.
Treat them like peers, which is just what they are.
Help where you can.
Give time, talent, and treasure to your local shelter!"
I strongly second the recommendation to give out gift cards instead of cash. Also, I like to make up gift bags to keep in the car with toiletry items and non-perishable foods to pass out. We have found that toiletry items are a much-desired commodity.
I would also add to this man's advice: Pray before doing anything and ask God to give you a discerning spirit to know what you can do to help.
Bottom lines:
Notice them; don't ignore them.
Treat them like neighbors, which is just what they are.
Treat them like peers, which is just what they are.
Help where you can.
Give time, talent, and treasure to your local shelter!"
I strongly second the recommendation to give out gift cards instead of cash. Also, I like to make up gift bags to keep in the car with toiletry items and non-perishable foods to pass out. We have found that toiletry items are a much-desired commodity.
I would also add to this man's advice: Pray before doing anything and ask God to give you a discerning spirit to know what you can do to help.
