Caring for the poor and homeless during the Winter months

[WilT]

The poor and homeless at this time need items to keep them warm during these coming cold months. They will be needing: knit caps, scarfs, gloves, warm jackets, blankets, 35 degree or lower sleeping bags, food, small bills or change, a friendly smile and acknowledgment, bus passes, small storage space, transportation as in a bike, a ride and even offer them an empty room or garage. Of course always use some level of precautions when interacting with them. **ALWAYS ask them What They May Need. ** What u think they may need may not be their immediate need. Remember, they are more afraid of you so you can win them over with kindness, respect, and with care. In Christ

 

[ClearWater]

The poor and homeless at this time need items to keep them warm during these coming cold months. They will be needing: knit caps, scarfs, gloves, warm jackets, blankets, 35 degree or lower sleeping bags, food, small bills or change, a friendly smile and acknowledgment, bus passes, small storage space, transportation as in a bike,** a ride and even offer them an empty room or garage**. Of course always use some level of precautions when interacting with them. **ALWAYS ask them What They May Need. ** What u think they may need may not be their immediate need. Remember, they are more afraid of you so you can win them over with kindness, respect, and with care. In Christ

If I give, I prefer to give “in kind” and not cash, since this could also go for substance abuse problems, as well.

Some of the homeless are also mentally ill, so I would be very careful about giving them rides. I wouldn’t normally recommend that.

My sister had a homeless person in her home one time, forget what happened with that, but suffice it to say, she doesn’t do that any more, as a result of whatever it was that happened.

I would not recommend offering a homeless stranger a room, or even a garage. You don’t know this person. I was going to do that once, and it seems like that person was on drugs, among other things. Be careful. For one’s own safety, and that of your family, leave that to the professionals.

 

[ClearWater]

We have quite a bit of homelessness and panhandling, and it got to the point the Church put up a sign saying NOT to give these folks cash. This article, which was in the “Security” section of the newspaper, was blown up many times to make it quite large was posted on the entrance way of that Church.

It said that, as well intentioned this was, NOT to do it, that if one wanted to help, it’d be preferable to contact the proper authorities, leave it to them, instead.

 

[ClearWater]

I used to give people money here in Mexico, because I felt SO sorry for these homeless people, and moreso as an American.

Anyway, I tried something. Some said they were sick, needed money for medical attention. At that time, I offered to give a taxi lift to the local Red Cross, that attends them cheaply, said I’d pay whatever they needed. I had FOUR people I offered this two, allegedly so sick, needing money for treatment. NOT ONE took me up on my offer for help. They all wanted CASH!

We’ve had cases where people, some homeless, given food, sandwich, etc., throw it away, on the ground, whatever, again, looking for cash.

We have had people here who have cut themselves up, poured a kind of dye in there to make it look REALLY pathetic. They can also put tourniquets on their legs to make them swell up, all to get cash…generally for some drug addiction.

Some had these TREMENDOUS deep wounds, and for a time, I felt SO sorry for these folks, many of which were also homeless.

Anyway, I gave left and right until an article came out here on Yahoo Mexico of a new drug here in Mexico, which is nicknamed, the people’s “heroine” or some such thing. It said it would eat into their skin.

No wonder they didn´t want to see a doctor! They, with their drug addictions had caused all this to themselves! They just wanted MORE cash for this.

Often, they´d be terribly skinny, but again, that is often due to all the drugs. Addicts are often REALLY skinny.

Some admitted to me to having addictions, and I offered to take them, by cab, to a shelter for people with addictions. NONE would have any part of it, preferred to sleep in the street and beg.

Some would get all dolled up…put on a mask…got a crutch…limped around! lol It was an act, though, near as I can tell, to get money for drugs.

We had one guy, who, I am told FAKED blindness!

We had another guy who faked having one leg, was later seen walking around! lol

I’ve given people money for many things, and many did NOT use the money for what they asked. One said he wanted money for a cane. Got him that money…no cane.

Some do NOT want to get better, as well. I spoke to one doctor who said he knew of a case he was willing to treat, but the panhandler said if he got better, he couldn´t beg any more! So, he refused treatment!

I’ve seen so much that I prefer to give to the Church, or to people I know who are legitimate, but there aren´t many of those about.

We had a guy saying he had been recently released from prison, didn´t have enought money to make it home. Lo and behold, someone told me that guy had been telling people that SAME story for TEN years!

So…be careful.

 

[bisco]

when i was in acapulco 25 years ago. panhandling was a way of life. parents actually sent their little children out in the streets to beg for money. it was very sad done there. you could barely walk sometimes.

 

[WilT]

God forgives us everyday of our own sins. Which one of you will toss the first stone!

 

[bisco]

only if we repent.

 

[ClearWater]

Homelessness is a really hard issue. It has so many levels to it, is hard to work with, often, as I said, linked to substance abuse, and/or mental illness.

When I was studying social work, we touched on homelessness and some of its root causes. One of them was the “deinstitutionalization” movement in the US, which came about as a result of certain movies that villified the mental health system. Some of the movies were, “One Flew over the Cuckoo´s Nest” which portrayed the entire mental health system in a REALLY bad light.

There were others, such as “Snake Pit” which I never did see. However, we were told that as a result of these movies, there was a movement to take the people in institutions, and just get them out, instead. Sadly, many ended up in the streets, instead, which, as bad as institutions sometimes could be, the streets were generally so much worse.

Certain policies also play an effect, such as one now that a mentally ill person can freely choose to be out on the street rather than in an institution if he wants. I don´t care for that law.

I´m not saying about casting the first stone or judging anybody, just kind of an overview of homelessness as I´ve come to see it.

Again, it´s complicated.

Ideally, if we want to help homeless people, one way, besides giving food and such, would be to push for changes in laws and policies, for instance, in my opinion, to get some of these people off the streets and at least with a roof over their heads.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

The poor and homeless at this time need items to keep them warm during these coming cold months. They will be needing: knit caps, scarfs, gloves, warm jackets, blankets, 35 degree or lower sleeping bags, food, small bills or change, a friendly smile and acknowledgment, bus passes, small storage space, transportation as in a bike, a ride and even offer them an empty room or garage. Of course always use some level of precautions when interacting with them. **ALWAYS ask them What They May Need. **What u think they may need may not be their immediate need. Remember, they are more afraid of you so you can win them over with kindness, respect, and with care. In Christ

WilT, you might appreciate Up and Out by Gerry Charlotte Phelps. She has vast experience working with the poor and homeless and wrote this “book” after Hurricane Katrina because she knew many would want to help those affected by it. It’s a very interesting read by a very interesting lady. I read it every once in a while to both ground myself and to get some much needed inspiration for work issues. I’m looking for her auto-biography but it was hard enough to find of Up and Out. Her blogs seem to have a tendency to get hit by hackers.

I hope you find it encouraging.

 

[WilT]

We are to give openly and without any reservation to the poor, homeless, and immigrant. Our gift of Love is to be given out freely as has been given to us by Christ Jesus. No reservation. All belongs to God, creator of the Heavens and Earth and it, as in love, must be given and shared with all. Yes, that includes $$$. The homeless and others offer to us moments of love and opportunities of charity towards our brothers. It’s opportunities for us to grow as Christians and to move away of that that makes us uncomfortable and prideful. PAX

 

[YADA]

You can help the homeless by giving to organizations that assist the homeless move from the streets into permanent housing. In Portland Oregon JOIN is just such an organization. They are successful - ***JOIN ***makes a difference - a real difference …
Their Home page … [jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/](http://jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/)
Read about their mission, their principles, their successes [jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/about/](http://jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/about/)

I highly recommend JOIN -

Also in PDX:

Blanchet House of Hospitality blanchethouse.org/

St Andre Bessette Chapel saintandrechurch.org/

St Francis Dining Hall stfranpdx.catholicweb.com/index.cfm/NewsItem?ID=133158&From=Services

Rural Douglas County:
One of my two regular parishes opens their Hall every fall once the temperatures drop below 45 degrees … they do this 7 days a week. They purchased cots and bedding, installed a shower and a washer and dryer … homeless people can get a shower, a change of clothes, their clothes laundered and a simple dinner and breakfast - the Warming Center is open from 5:00 PM til 8:00 AM … its staffed by Father and volunteers - who sleep on cots too … if no one has sought out the center by 7:00 PM a sign is put up telling late comers to knock on the rectory door - and volunteers are called back … the warming center is open typically from November through March … that is a huge commitment and they’ve been doing it for 5 years now …

EVERYWHERE:

Catholic Charities catholiccharitiesusa.org/

St Vincent de Paul is an international organization that offers all types of assistance. svdpusa.org/

 

[WilT]

You can help the homeless by giving to organizations that assist the homeless move from the streets into permanent housing. In Portland Oregon JOIN is just such an organization. They are successful - ***JOIN ***makes a difference - a real difference …
Their Home page … [jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/](http://jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/)
Read about their mission, their principles, their successes [jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/about/](http://jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/about/)

I highly recommend JOIN -

Also in PDX:

Blanchet House of Hospitality blanchethouse.org/

St Andre Bessette Chapel saintandrechurch.org/

St Francis Dining Hall stfranpdx.catholicweb.com/index.cfm/NewsItem?ID=133158&From=Services

Rural Douglas County:
One of my two regular parishes opens their Hall every fall once the temperatures drop below 45 degrees … they do this 7 days a week. They purchased cots and bedding, installed a shower and a washer and dryer … homeless people can get a shower, a change of clothes, their clothes laundered and a simple dinner and breakfast - the Warming Center is open from 5:00 PM til 8:00 AM … its staffed by Father and volunteers - who sleep on cots too … if no one has sought out the center by 7:00 PM a sign is put up telling late comers to knock on the rectory door - and volunteers are called back … the warming center is open typically from November through March … that is a huge commitment and they’ve been doing it for 5 years now …

EVERYWHERE:

Catholic Charities catholiccharitiesusa.org/

St Vincent de Paul is an international organization that offers all types of assistance. svdpusa.org/

wonderful information. In my area unfortunately their are so many rules and regulations when the homeless seek out assistance of any kind by some of those charities you have mentioned. It seems that only a saint can make it through there tough questions and regulations attached. Few make it through the interview process and the rest, large majority, are left to continue on there own to survive the sometime cruel streets and conditions.

 

[bisco]

that’s one hard bitten area, remind me not to move there.

 

[YADA]

wonderful information. In my area unfortunately their are so many rules and regulations when the homeless seek out assistance of any kind by some of those charities you have mentioned. It seems that only a saint can make it through there tough questions and regulations attached. Few make it through the interview process and the rest, large majority, are left to continue on there own to survive the sometime cruel streets and conditions.

JOIN purposefully steerscaeay from government funds, grants, etc. specifically because they usually come with strings attached that sets people up for failure. JOIN tracks their clients for one year with a goal for at least 70% to still be in housing …some years they have hit 90%.

They work with landlords to get people in housing…but not government subsidized rents - market …they want people to become fully functional members … They also work with social readmission … The last thin a landlord wants is a tenant to bring homeless people with addictions and all that living on the streets brings…People who have been marginalized need help reconnecting …

JOIN is a wonderful model …it works because people care and they ask the homeless how they can best assist them …its a partnership …perhaps you should get community and business leaders in your community to contact JOIN and bring that tried and true model to your area. Don’t be defeatest …that’s why homelessness persists . people fail to act… And blame others or the government for their lack of action

 

[WilT]

WilT, you might appreciate Up and Out by Gerry Charlotte Phelps. She has vast experience working with the poor and homeless and wrote this “book” after Hurricane Katrina because she knew many would want to help those affected by it. It’s a very interesting read by a very interesting lady. I read it every once in a while to both ground myself and to get some much needed inspiration for work issues. I’m looking for her auto-biography but it was hard enough to find of Up and Out. Her blogs seem to have a tendency to get hit by hackers.

I hope you find it encouraging.

Thank you BruisedReed

 

[WilT]

You can help the homeless by giving to organizations that assist the homeless move from the streets into permanent housing. In Portland Oregon JOIN
One of my two regular parishes opens their Hall every fall once the temperatures drop below 45 degrees … they do this 7 days a week. They purchased cots and bedding, installed a shower and a washer and dryer … homeless people can get a shower, a change of clothes, their clothes laundered and a simple dinner and breakfast - the Warming Center is open from 5:00 PM til 8:00 AM … its staffed by Father and volunteers - who sleep on cots too … if no one has sought out the center by 7:00 PM a sign is put up telling late comers to knock on the rectory door - and volunteers are called back … the warming center is open typically from November through March … that is a huge commitment and they’ve been doing it for 5 years…

 

[WilT]

JOIN purposefully steerscaeay from government funds, grants, etc. specifically because they usually come with strings attached that sets people up for failure. JOIN tracks their clients for one year with a goal for at least 70% to still be in housing …some years they have hit 90%.

They work with landlords to get people in housing…but not government subsidized rents - market …they want people to become fully functional members … They also work with social readmission … The last thin a landlord wants is a tenant to bring homeless people with addictions and all that living on the streets brings…People who have been marginalized need help reconnecting …

JOIN is a wonderful model …it works because people care and they ask the homeless how they can best assist them …its a partnership …perhaps you should get community and business leaders in your community to contact JOIN and bring that tried and true model to your area. Don’t be defeatest …that’s why homelessness persists . people fail to act… And blame others or the government for their lack of action

Thanks Yada

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Thank you BruisedReed

You’re welcome. I need to remember to put a shortcut to it on my desktop at work and a reminder and for easy access.

 

[WilT]

When the rains come don’t forget to pass by and given them umbrellas. Some people give them umbrellas that they have laying around in the closet.

 

[bisco]

funny story, one day, my partners brother in law gave a homeless guy one of our company hats. a few weeks later, when they are rounding everybody up, he turned up on the news that night with the hat on!