How to Help Homeless Children

One of the most gut wrenching sights is a child with no place to call home. Imagine a child with no warm bed to sleep in; think of a child that doesn't even know where her next meal is coming from. This is happening throughout the world, even in affluent countries.

Instructions

Donating Money

1. Donate money to help the plight of homeless children. Find out what charities provide services to children, using an online directory like Charity Navigator. If you want to donate to children in a specific region, find out where charities provide their services. Some provide services in all regions.

2. Determine how much you can pledge on an ongoing basis. While a one time pledge can bring you much satisfaction, a monthly pledge to a favorite charity can help that charity budget its activities and services. A recurring automatic withdrawal from your account will simplify your giving.

3. Build a relationship. Donating to an agency is fine, but some people want to make a difference in one person's life and want to see their money in action. A number of charities will allow you to build a relationship with one child or one family.

Donating Time

1. Volunteer at a children's shelter. You can check with state and local agencies that work with homeless families and children to find out what's in your area. There are over a million homeless children in the United States with an average age of only three years old.

2. Tutor homeless children. Just having adult attention can spur children to do their best. Many programs exist in shelters, transitional housing programs and schools that require interested volunteers. Or begin your own tutor volunteer corps at a local homeless shelter. It takes nothing more than a little time.

3. Take homeless families and children on trips. Some children don't know what it's like to go for a trip just to have a little fun. Volunteer at a local family shelter and take some kids to a zoo or to the local aquarium.

4. Teach others about homelessness. Once you start volunteering your time, you will gain a wealth of information about homelessness. Try to educate others about what you have learned. Maybe one person that you talk to will make a difference in someone's life.

5. Recruit local businesses to donate money and resources to homeless shelters. Try to get local businesses to be a part of the solution. Tell them about the goodwill and tax breaks they can get by helping out.

6. Involve yourself in state and local politics, and push for homelessness programs. Start a grassroots organization of concerned voters to lobby politicians to act on the homelessness problem, especially the problem with homeless children.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the charity for 501(c)3 status to see if your donations are tax-deductible.

• Involve a friend. A little support of your own after dealing with homelessness and despair can prove to be a blessing.

• Investigate the charities you give to. Charities must reveal how much of their operating budget actually goes to helping homeless children and how much goes to overhead, advertising and salaries. Some organizations use less than 10 cents out of a dollar to help homeless children, with the other 90 cents going to the people that run the charity.