How Can I Get Involved in Helping the Homeless?
It can be difficult to donate money when you aren't making much yourself. Many people can't afford to share their earnings or don't want to harm their standard of living to help others. But you don't have to donate money to help the homeless. Instead, you can donate your time, knowledge and skills to them. Knowing how to get involved will allow you to share some of your resources with homeless people.
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Instructions
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Contact your local homeless shelter to seek volunteer opportunities. Find the contact information of your local homeless shelter by using the Homeless Shelter Directory. (See Resources.) Click on your state from the map, then enter your city, and then press "Get Shelters." Call a local homeless shelter to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Homeless shelters always need volunteers, even if it's serving meals for just a few hours. If you prefer not to interact directly with the homeless, you can prepare food, mop, do the dishes or perform other tasks.
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Contact your local food bank or food pantry for further volunteer opportunities. Find the nearest food bank or food pantry by using the Food Pantries website. (See Resources.) Select your state or enter your zip code and press "Send." Contact one of the listings to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Food banks and food pantries offer many ways to volunteer including preparing food, distributing food and picking it up from donors.
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Simply being nice to the homeless is another way to help. Refrain from feeling guilty about not donating to homeless people on the streets. Instead, holding a door open or smiling as you encounter them is helpful. Homeless people need to be treated like normally, as you would treat anyone else. It will help them feel better about themselves and can help them in the process of being integrated back into society. But avoid offering rides in your car or inviting a homeless person over for dinner, as you don't want to put yourself or others in a potentially risky situation -- even though the vast majority of homeless people are harmless.
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Many homeless people have work skills but need help finding work. Volunteer at a local work agency division. You can help homeless people by proofreading and making revisions to their resume and cover letter, and by helping them fill out job applications. Being homeless can be demoralizing to people. Teach the homeless to present themselves in a professional manner by using proper hygiene and dressing up for work. You can even offer to donate an extra nice shirt or pair of slacks.
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Teach homeless people to read and write. It's difficult to find employment when a person can't read or write, or can't do either well. Work with the local homeless shelter to find opportunities to teach these or other basic skills.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid stereotyping the homeless as "lazy" or "drug addicts." Many people are homeless as the result of poor financial decisions or post-traumatic stress disorder.
References
Resources
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