How to Help Someone Who is Homeless
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on any given night there are almost 650,000 people in the U.S. who do not have a place that they would consider home. They are on the streets or in shelters. Many can find it difficult to consider this and may feel powerless to help those in this condition, but there are a variety of ways that you can help those in need.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Read about your local social service agencies. These may be able to provide you with the resources you will need in order to offer options and help for some of the homeless that you may encounter. Each agency is different and will offer varied services from food, housing, transportation and job help. Keep a listing of these so that you can refer to them as needed.
-
2
Talk to the person that you intend to try to help. All people are not the same and the homeless are no exception. There are many reasons and circumstances that may have occurred that led them to this situation. Your first step in helping them is to listen to them and understand their needs.
-
-
3
Volunteer at your local social service agencies. Volunteering is a gift that anyone can afford to give. Take a small amount of your free time to get involved and interact with those who find themselves in this unfortunate situation. You may decide to help out at a food kitchen serving food or you may decide to give your time to an intake facility and directly help individuals by counseling them on the options available to them.
-
4
Give money, clothes or services directly to the homeless or to local agencies. If you see an individual on the street, give to him. Don't judge what he will do with the money; just give. You can also give clothes directly or go to an agency store where they will be handed out to the homeless. If you have a business like a restaurant, give your day's-end food to the local food bank. If you are a teacher, consider helping teach GED classes to those needing employment training.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
