How do you treat the homeless?

[jpk1313]

How do you treat the homeless when you meet them? I my experince most people ignore them or say something like “no sorry no change” or “go get a job”. What about you do you even look them in the eye? Having been in the past homeless and having worked with them I know that just stoping and talking to them for a couple of mins gives them hope and lets them know they are not forgotten of totaly worthless. That is the real pain of being homeless-being forgotten-. so next time you see one go and talk to them ask them their name and be their friend it will make their day and may even save their life.

 

[kage_ar]

I get on the phone and find out where the nearest shelter is with an opening, and then I do all I can to assist them in getting there.

 

[Cristiano]

I usually try to give them a smile, some food and a kind word if possible. I should be doing more, including specific prayers for them.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

I get on the phone and find out where the nearest shelter is with an opening, and then I do all I can to assist them in getting there.

Perhaps the homeless situation is different in Arkansas than it is in NYC. They do not want to go to the shelter; they choose to live in the subway. If they go to the shelter, eventually they will be required to undergo job training if they are physically fit, or undergo detox if they are alcoholics or addicts. Sometimes they pretend they want food, but as everyone has seen, if offered food they become angry. They want money. They sleep in the train and the stench is unbearable. They are the reason the subway smells like urine.

Years ago when the mayor tried to solve the problem by having the police bring homeless people to the shelters, they rebelled and civil rights advocates declared it a violation of their rights. Mind you, this campaign occurred in the winter. The homeless know there is warmth, food, showers, toilets, and beds available to them. Representatives from the shelters try to persuade the homeless on the streets and in the subways to come to the shelters, but the homeless have the right to refuse, and refuse they do. Instead they choose to live in the subway and on the street.

So what do I do? Exactly what the non-stop announcements tell me to do: “Be alert. And have a safe day.”

 

[Theophorus]

I don’t give homeless people money; I have had those fears about spending it on drugs confirmed in the past. I do look them in the eye when they ask, they deserve that much. I support the homeless by giving time and money to homeless charities.

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

I give them money and look at them, I don’t much talk to them but thats not because they are homeless, I’m not one for talking to strangers.

I’m not their dad, I believe a gift should be freely given if it is to be a true gift, if they want to waste the money thats up to them.

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

Sometimes I give money but, I prefer to give them food and prayer cards.

We now have a tent city in Indianapolis. Times are tough. This isnt exacly the warmest place to be homeless.

But… be careful… a woman was attacked here when she rolled down her window to give a man money.

 

[kage_ar]

Perhaps the homeless situation is different in Arkansas than it is in NYC. They do not want to go to the shelter;

There are those who refuse the help to get to a shelter. For those, I pray for them and have nothing else to offer.

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

There are those who refuse the help to get to a shelter. For those, I pray for them and have nothing else to offer.

In an article I read about the tent city… some of the homeless dont want to live in a shelter… they dont like the rules.
Still… I feel sorry for them, what happened to them to make them give up on even trying…??

 

[kage_ar]

In an article I read about the tent city… some of the homeless dont want to live in a shelter… they dont like the rules.
Still… I feel sorry for them, what happened to them to make them give up on even trying…??

Those that I talk to have substance abuse issues, mental health issues and/or have alienated all of their friends and family so they have no safety net when things get bad.

 

[puzzleannie]

in the first place I try not to make assumptions or judgements about people I see or meet on the street, as to their manner of living or any other aspect. I don’t automatically label someone as “homeless” with all those connotations because they are begging or simply affecting a shabby appearance.

For another thing I actively seek out opportunities to serve and assist those in need in this community although my husband is much more active, and proactive, in this regard than I am. I don’t hand out money to anyone on the street simply because I usually don’t carry any, nor as an elderly lady to I engage people in conversation on the street.

 

[camerong]

We should treat them as we wish to be treated. If I were homeless and had some kind of substance problem or mental health problem–as I would wager 95% or more of homeless people do–I would want people to spend their money to fund shelters and outreach programs that can use that money more efficiently and wisely. Perhaps that is how we should react when we see a homeless person–when we get home, we should send a check, if we are able, to a shelter or outreach program.

 

[Pug]

I have no way to know who is homeless when I see them, unless I recognize them.