How to Provide Aid to the Homeless
Providing aid to the homeless may sound like an easy task. However, once you have lived on the streets in pure survival mode it is difficult to ask for or trust any aid that is offered. Though homeless, many of these people still have pride. It is most important to find out the type of aid a homeless person needs before offering help.
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Instructions
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Go to the local shelter and ask what it needs to assist the homeless. There is a shelter in every major city and town in the U.S. Most struggle to have food to offer throughout the month, or even certain days of the week. A homeless shelter may also need labor for cooking meals or cleaning up a neighborhood.
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Go to the major hospitals in the city you live in and ask if there are any indigent or homeless patients that may need aid after release. You don’t need to take someone into your home to help. Picking up and delivering prescriptions can be a great service, or providing a ride to follow-up doctor visits.
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Contact Habitat For Humanity for a family in need of housing. Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is a fulfilling experience your entire family can get involved with. There is no need for building experience; the homeless organization will find a spot for every volunteer.
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Organize a group to clean a neighborhood area where homeless people sleep at night. Get permission from city or local officials prior to starting the project and talk to the homeless community living in the area so as not to "invade" a territory.
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Work with a local beautician to arrange haircuts for homeless men and women. Often a homeless person can’t apply for a job due to the condition of their person, including hair. Men may need a shave and a good haircut, while ladies may just need a good shampoo. Personal hygiene is a major contributing factor to the homeless; no one will hire them to work because they are dirty. No one will help with hygiene because they are dirty. It is a cycle that ends in desperation.
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to local businesses in areas where there is a homeless population. Many business owners are willing to try anything to "clean up" a neighborhood. Offer free advertising to any business offering an incentive to aid the homeless.
Never go to a homeless area alone after dark as these are dangerous areas for outsiders and insiders. Homeless people can be extremely territorial and will generally not tolerate "trespassers." Mental illness also runs rampant and untreated in the homeless community.
Never invite a homeless person to live in your home without the proper government training and assistance.
