How Can I Help Those Suffering From Homelessness?
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2010
by Jeff Maide
HomeAid
You see them in every city across America. They are standing on street corners with signs trying to raise money for their next meal. They are sitting in the shadows on the front steps of abandoned buildings. They are gathered in groups around a fire in dark alleys. They are in lines that stretch many blocks waiting for their next meal at soup kitchens.
They all are America's homeless. They all need your help.
You, like most people, are hesitant to give to the homeless on the street because you question if the money will actually go to the next meal they say they are fighting for. You are nervous to approach the homeless individual because their image presents a questionable mental state and reputation.
You may also be shy to give to charities because with so many out there asking for donations it can be hard to be sure that your money is making it into the right hands and actually making a difference. It may seem "wrong" to say that some charities are better than others when it comes to homelessness but in fact, some are just plain more effective. Do research to find the most reliable charities and look for organizations that can demonstrate they are making a difference.
Here are is how you can help those suffering from homelessness:
1. Do your homework.
Understand the difference between the three different types of homelessness and which group you would like to impact:
The chronic homeless- a single person living with an immobilizing condition that has been continuously homeless for an entire year or more or has been homeless four times in the last three years
The episodically homeless person- a person that uses the homeless assistance system and other health and social services intermittently and for short periods of time
The temporary or transitional homeless- those who only experience a short period of time in the homeless assistance program due to circumstances beyond their control like job loss, natural disasters and other catastrophes, illness and medical problems, domestic violence, etc. and usually never return
2. Donate money to national organizations that have local chapters.
If you would like to make an immediate impact in your local area, choose to donate to large national organizations that have smaller local chapters. These funds will be allocated accordingly in your area and can make a bigger impact. The funds are not spread out across America but are used to help those right in your neighborhood.
3. Donate more than cash.
Charities always appreciate the donation of funds because they know where the money would be most effective. They know each community and their immediate needs. But, if you are short on cash, find ways to give your time or surplus supplies that you might otherwise throw out. Organizations that build emergency shelters and transitional housing for the temporary homeless often need crews of people to help with builds and building supplies. There are great ways to help.
4. Realize that it is more than putting a roof over the homeless' heads.
Look for organizations that not only provide emergency shelters and transitional housing for those suffering from homelessness but also work to help those people get back on their feet and back into society. Organizations that are committed to helping residents move toward self-sufficiency through efforts such as education and job skills training, and physical and emotional support are more effective in permanently keeping people off the street.
Educate yourself before donating and become passionate about the organization that you decide to back. Stand behind organizations that are the most effective in getting America's homeless off the streets and into becoming productive members of society.
HomeAid is a leading national non-profit organization that builds and renovates multi-unit shelters for America's temporarily homeless families and individuals while they rebuild their lives. HomeAid has built more than 200 multi-unit shelters with an additional 37 in development. These shelters provide more than 1,800,000 bed nights annually nationwide. To learn how you can help the temporarily homeless, please visit: http://www.homeaid.org
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More commentsThank you for writing this. I know this article is written for the U.S. but I live in Vancouver, BC where homelessness is a major issue in our city. I will pass this to my friends and do my part too! Thanks again.
Local missions help so much with the homeless and can always use donations and hands on help too! Thanks for writing this article!Yes! Visit HomeAid has a local chapters in nearly every city in America. They are committed to helping the homeless in that area.
Some very good ideas presented here. All that matters is how much you want to be involved!
Really like it ! good work...
i very much agree to the ways you suggested in helping those homeless peopleespecially the last part (4) - as the saying goes - you are not truly helping if you give a hungry man a fish, instead teach him how to fish and you'll be helping him in his entire lifeI love that quote- should have included that in the article. It perfectly illustrates the type of thing HomeAid tries to do.
Nicely written. I enjoyed reading this article. Look forward to seeing more.
Very nice article. I enjoyed it very much and agree that there is a lot we can do to help. The key being help.
Nice article and one thing I wish to add is, that the main thing about helping the homeless is about overcoming your shyness to do and the will/feeling/insight to see a positive change. A complacent or semi-optimistic attitude won't work !If you gotta help these people then just go forward and help don't think too much!Agreed! Acting on the urge to do so without over thinking it is crucial.
How we treat our homeless in this country is a crime. It's as if this tiny segment of society is going to break the fat cats who leave them to die in the streets. Volunteers aren't the answer, except for people who hate socialism and hope that the government doesn't have to get involved. Just take a look at the law in UK regarding the homeless, where it is a crime to ignore them. Come on people, congress, get a heart. What is America all about anyway? Money? Just look how money is thrown around on Wall Street gambling?
Best.........e
Goodness! I just logged in and saw all of these comments. I am so glad that there are others out there committed to helping the homeless as well. Homaid is committed to not only building shelters but "teaching the homeless how to fish..." Great way to put it Leticia Mercado- "you are not truly helping if you give a hungry man a fish, instead teach him how to fish and you'll be helping him in his entire life"
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