How can we help the homelessness?

How can we help the homelessness?

``The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty currently estimates that more than 3.5 million people in America (some 2 million of them children), were likely to experience homelessness in a given year´´ (Ensign, 2016). While difficult to measure, the increase in the demand for shelter beds each year is a strong indicator that homelessness is on the rise, and not only in America.

According to the United Nations, there are at least 100 million homeless in the world today. There are many other ways to help homeless people. Donating food and clothing to homeless shelters is a great way to help because some time we give money to homeless people but they can buy drugs, alcohol and this affect their situations. You could also volunteer your time with such an organization. Educate yourself and others about homelessness, and share facts about homelessness with others. Use letters to your local newspaper, blog posts, and social media to spread the word about how homelessness is a problem and what others can do to help.

Provide food:

``One of the constant struggles of homelessness is finding enough to eat. Donate canned or boxed goods to your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter´´ (Ensign, 2016)

·         Before making your donation, contact the homeless organization and find out which items they need most.

·         Alternately, you could buy (or make) lunch for a homeless person you encounter on the street

Donate recreational items:

``In addition to practical items like clothes and hygiene products, you might want to provide toys for the children of homeless families´´ (Ensign, 2016). Homeless children often have few possessions of any kind, and may not have any toys at all. For adults, you might want to donate books, magazines, or other reading materials.

·         Donating toys is an especially good idea around the holidays, when homeless kids often have few gifts to look forward to.

Educate others about homelessness:

``Many people have trouble sympathizing with homeless people because of the many negative stereotypes that the homeless population is burdened with´´ (Ensign, 2016). Educating others could be as simple as correcting a friend or coworker about a homeless stereotype they express, or it could be talking with your local city or county politicians about the problems homeless people face.

·         If you have children, start by educating them. If you volunteer for an organization that supports the homeless, ask if you can take your child along so that they can see firsthand the hardships of homelessness

Donate items:

``Donating your used or new items is another easy way to help ´´ (Ensign, 2016). Donate these items to local organizations that house the homeless or otherwise support them. Alternately, you could provide such things to your local homeless population directly. The best items to donate include

·         Winter weather clothing (such as hats, mittens, coats, and boots)

·         New underwear and socks

·         Travel-sized hygiene items (toothpaste, soap, etc.)[4]

·         Professional clothing (a hurdle to overcoming homelessness is looking presentable at job interviews)

·         First aid items (such as Neosporin, Band-Aids, antibacterial cream, and hand sanitizer)

·         Secondary medical items (such as sunscreen, heavy duty lotions like Bag Balm, allergy medication, and tissues)

·         Bus passes (great for helping them get to job interviews)

·         Linens (i.e. twin sheets, towels, pillows and pillow cases)

I personally do not give money to anyone asking for spare change. That is a choice I make, not because I am concerned people will use the money for drugs, alcohol, tobacco or anything else I may consider unhealthy choices, but because I have decided to use my money to support agencies I know and work with and which provide direct services as well as advocacy. I do make sure that I try to make eye contact and say a polite, “No, I’m sorry, I can’t” whenever anyone asks me for money. In addition, I do intervene nicely but firmly whenever I witness someone belittling a homeless person with derogatory comments like “Just get a job!” Such aggressive, judgmental comments should not be tolerated in a civil society.

 How can we help the homelessness? Video

Bibliography:

Ensign, J. (2016). How to Help the Homeless. Psychology Today.

LAVIGNE, L. (22 de junio de 2017). People sleeping on the streets share the small, unnoticed gestures that made a difference for them. Obtenido de https://www.mamamia.com.au/how-to-help-homeless-people/

Mission, U. R. (25 de marzo de 2016). About Helping People Who Are Experiencing Homelessness. Obtenido de https://urm.org/about/faqs/helping-people/

WATSON, S. (15 de diciembre de 2017). How Homelessness Works. Obtenido de https://www.wikihow.com/Help-the-Homeless