How else can I help my homeless friend?

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Michael98

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I have a young friend around 19 years old who, after not having talked to here in a while, asked me for money to help her out. She had recently ended up on the street and, although she started working night shifts at a 7/11, she doesn’t have enough for her own place. I’ve given her a large sum of my money and asked friends for donations, but I’m not sure what else I can do. She keeps asking me if I have more to give since no one else is helping her out financially. Her work is far from where I live, so she wouldn’t be able to live in my house (I live with my parents anyways). Is there anything else I can do, or should I just pray for her and encourage her as best I can? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
 
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The same one re cigarette money, you hadn’t seen for Years?
 
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Yes, but as it turns out she legitimately needs money.

One of my friends donated a large sum of money to her and the first thing she asked is if I needed any for myself (since I donated a bunch as well). I suppose it’s possible she could be lying, but a response like that just wouldn’t make sense.
 
Michael, is she renting? Where is she living, given she is working.

Have you verified that she is working or that her situation is genuine.
 
You ended up giving her more than cigarette money. Everyone’s suspicions were correct. It wasn’t about cigarettes.

At 19 years old, she is out on the street and thinks you should give her even more money than you already have. In what world do you owe her the kind of help she is asking of you? You are basically a stranger.
No one else gave her money because they probably don’t know her either. Not to be mean, but if she can’t afford her own place she needs another job during the day, a roommate, or help from social services. Where are her real friends? Her family? She needs more help than you, a person living with your parents, can give.
 
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She’s told me the friend she was living with kicked her out and she was trying to secure a new place. But she couldn’t afford to until she got her first paycheck on the 27th. She said she was trying to stay in motels while she waited to secure the new place. I haven’t verified it, no. I realize it was not a good idea to give her money before being 100% sure about her situation. She did send me a picture of a park bench with a pile of her belongings on it, but that could have been faked I guess.
 
Ok so no one has verified her story. Has anyone turned up to that 7/11 on night shift to see if she actually works there . Without pre warning her.

Verify her story. If it’s true , and she is working, get her help for a shelter, or pay rent , rather then giving her the cash. Or just head her to social services.
She must have parents.

Is she a run away, are her family searching for her. Is she on drugs, is she being abused to get money for another.

If it’s not true , Call her out on it and head her to social services.
 
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She lives a bit far from me, I would need to take a ferry to get there. Is there any other way I could verify her story?
 
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You’re right, it was a dumb decision on my part. I’m trying to confirm now whether her situation really is genuine, but I’ve stopped giving her money.
 
Call the 7-11 when she is working and ask to speak to her.
I am not buying the pic of her belongings on a park bench.
 
Why not phone the 7/11 on nightshift and ask to speak to her. Their employee.

Don’t tell her, don’t ask her for the number.

That’s a start.
 
Great idea, I’ll try that. Yeah it could definitely have been faked. Thank you Irishmom2 and Roseeurekacross for your suggestions. I’m very soft and easygoing, so it’s good to have help from people who are stronger-willed and more cautious. I’ll let you know how the call goes.
 
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I have confirmed that she does indeed work at that 7/11. She had also posted on Facebook (after the smokes thing but before she ever asked me for money for food/housing) that she had had a job interview at 7/11, which confirms she is telling the truth about her job at least.
 
Thanks so much for giving me a thicker skin guys. I’ve told her now that I have absolutely no more money to give, and thankfully she was understanding and thankful for what I did do. If you could continue to keep her in your prayers I would really appreciate it. Thanks again for all your support @Roseeurekacross and @Irishmom2!
 
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Will do, and you Michael. You performed corporal and spiritual acts of mercy .

🕊️🙏
 
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