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christofirst
Guest
Bless your good heart! But stay safe, too!
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
its the case everywhere, regional and metro. Its become a huge social issue.
let me ask, , how do you know these homeless have a severe mental illness. Surely they would be in care if that unwell. Then , these people are found accomodation on release.
the ones who fall into the homeless cracks are others as a general rule.
i know homeless who have been on housing waiting lists for 10 years because they just dont have issues. ie prison/ mental illness/ not caring for kids.
you gotta watch the fake beggers in the city.
There is a good show being advertised on tv, filthy rich and homeless. It might be a good watch before deciding where or how to donate.
let me ask, , how do you know these homeless have a severe mental illness. Surely they would be in care if that unwell. Then , these people are found accomodation on release.
the ones who fall into the homeless cracks are others as a general rule.
i know homeless who have been on housing waiting lists for 10 years because they just dont have issues. ie prison/ mental illness/ not caring for kids.
you gotta watch the fake beggers in the city.
There is a good show being advertised on tv, filthy rich and homeless. It might be a good watch before deciding where or how to donate.
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Rozellelily
Guest
Thankyou 
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Rozellelily
Guest
I watched filthy rich and homeless
It was an interesting show.
It’s evident to many people near where I live that that some of these people who are homeless have mental illnesses as they may look “lost”,incoherent or just otherwise be unable to physically take care of their appearance (i mean beyond the effects of just due to living on the streets).
Homelessness in Australia is complex as you would know,
Some have fallen on hard times financially,some women have experienced domestic violence,some have substance addictions and some have mental/cognitive illnesses.
Even when people are given social housing,for some reason some of these people even still “prefer” to live on the street-im guessing because the social housing is unsafe (ironically).
The public mental health system is a revolving door for them.
The days of institutionalisation are over and most people with mental illnesses don’t live in these hospitals permanently (except for forensic patients I assume).
So they are admitted to the hospital for a few weeks or perhaps months,but after that they leave and it doesn’t necessarily mean that their condition has improved.
Many of these people have illnesses that are refractory to treatment.
The public system has great demand >supply and is frankly substandard in quality.
The high demand limits “bed availability” and funding is limited.
The private system on the other hand is only attainable to those with good income and doesn’t always have the ability to help people with severe illness.
I should clarify that when I refer to mental illness I’m also referring to cognitive illnesss/cognitive loss.
The mental health system often focuses purely on the psychosis symptoms (people hearing voices etc) but neglects their overall cognitive state.
In effect,some people who are homeless may not be experiencing “frank psychosis” but they have serious cognitive issues.
I’m not sure what’s happened with social housing in the last 15 -20 years to make it so unattainable as I remember 15 years ago when people were able to get (basic,very poor etc) social housing without waiting years.
Perhaps there is greater demand or maybe they have sold off some of the old commission houses?
https://www.homelessnessaustralia.o...icy_paper_mental_illness_and_homelessness.pdf
It was an interesting show.
It’s evident to many people near where I live that that some of these people who are homeless have mental illnesses as they may look “lost”,incoherent or just otherwise be unable to physically take care of their appearance (i mean beyond the effects of just due to living on the streets).
Homelessness in Australia is complex as you would know,
Some have fallen on hard times financially,some women have experienced domestic violence,some have substance addictions and some have mental/cognitive illnesses.
Even when people are given social housing,for some reason some of these people even still “prefer” to live on the street-im guessing because the social housing is unsafe (ironically).
The public mental health system is a revolving door for them.
The days of institutionalisation are over and most people with mental illnesses don’t live in these hospitals permanently (except for forensic patients I assume).
So they are admitted to the hospital for a few weeks or perhaps months,but after that they leave and it doesn’t necessarily mean that their condition has improved.
Many of these people have illnesses that are refractory to treatment.
The public system has great demand >supply and is frankly substandard in quality.
The high demand limits “bed availability” and funding is limited.
The private system on the other hand is only attainable to those with good income and doesn’t always have the ability to help people with severe illness.
I should clarify that when I refer to mental illness I’m also referring to cognitive illnesss/cognitive loss.
The mental health system often focuses purely on the psychosis symptoms (people hearing voices etc) but neglects their overall cognitive state.
In effect,some people who are homeless may not be experiencing “frank psychosis” but they have serious cognitive issues.
I’m not sure what’s happened with social housing in the last 15 -20 years to make it so unattainable as I remember 15 years ago when people were able to get (basic,very poor etc) social housing without waiting years.
Perhaps there is greater demand or maybe they have sold off some of the old commission houses?
https://www.homelessnessaustralia.o...icy_paper_mental_illness_and_homelessness.pdf
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Annie
Guest
I applaud your realization that it can be good to give personally. I have talked to a number of homeless people over the years. It is sad to see how people can get into this difficult situation due to lack of resources; for example, I saw a family begging because their truck had broken down and they’d had no money to fix it so the father had lost his job… Just that one event had caused them to lose everything. (ETA: which may or may not have been true!)
Are you in Australia? I ask because it is summer here and a blanket now might not be as much help as it would be in a few months but in Australia it would be a great time to give homeless people blankets.
Anyway, around here, I often see more mentally I’ll people in the city, but in the suburbs I see a higher percentage of “down on their luck” people, often near Walmart. I always try to direct them to Catholic Charities, which I know will be able to at least direct them to appropriate help, and I gicve them some money.
So in your shoes, I would ask someone to come with me and drive around in the sort of area where there are a lot of strip mallsns and dodgy motels, that sort of poorer area of the suburbs, and drive around til you see a homeless person. Sometimes they are near a entrance, but other times near an intersection.
And I would give them a blanket, a bit of money or maybe toothbrush and toothpaste or a gift certificate for MacDonald’s, and a an index card with the phone number of Catholic Charities.
Sometimes they will be interested in talking a bit, and you can find out more about their situation (which may or may not be true!!!), and whatever the truth may be, I think that being treated like a person is helpful.
Good luck in this endeavor!
Are you in Australia? I ask because it is summer here and a blanket now might not be as much help as it would be in a few months but in Australia it would be a great time to give homeless people blankets.
Anyway, around here, I often see more mentally I’ll people in the city, but in the suburbs I see a higher percentage of “down on their luck” people, often near Walmart. I always try to direct them to Catholic Charities, which I know will be able to at least direct them to appropriate help, and I gicve them some money.
So in your shoes, I would ask someone to come with me and drive around in the sort of area where there are a lot of strip mallsns and dodgy motels, that sort of poorer area of the suburbs, and drive around til you see a homeless person. Sometimes they are near a entrance, but other times near an intersection.
And I would give them a blanket, a bit of money or maybe toothbrush and toothpaste or a gift certificate for MacDonald’s, and a an index card with the phone number of Catholic Charities.
Sometimes they will be interested in talking a bit, and you can find out more about their situation (which may or may not be true!!!), and whatever the truth may be, I think that being treated like a person is helpful.
Good luck in this endeavor!
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
many women are homeless because there isnt enough cheap housing. same with a lot of people. we cant just paint a broad brush and say its mental illness.
your 50yo who is on welfare due to whatever reason, cant afford market rent, or wont get picked for that rental in such a competitive market.
the longer a person is homeless, the less clean cut their appearance, its not a direct result of mental illness, its a result of street living.
as far as public housing, there are over 80 thousand people on the Victorian waiting list. Priority goes to families, prison release, mental illness release and refugees.
what happened is lack of affordable rentals, a wealthy property market, increased unemployment in certain sectors, and the advent of air b& b.
air b&b alone has the potential to decimate the rental market. an owner can make $$$ weekly with air b& b as opposed to renting in the traditional way.
so its huge waiting lists and people sleeping in cars, on the streets or couch surfing.
Australia, the unlucky country
your 50yo who is on welfare due to whatever reason, cant afford market rent, or wont get picked for that rental in such a competitive market.
the longer a person is homeless, the less clean cut their appearance, its not a direct result of mental illness, its a result of street living.
as far as public housing, there are over 80 thousand people on the Victorian waiting list. Priority goes to families, prison release, mental illness release and refugees.
what happened is lack of affordable rentals, a wealthy property market, increased unemployment in certain sectors, and the advent of air b& b.
air b&b alone has the potential to decimate the rental market. an owner can make $$$ weekly with air b& b as opposed to renting in the traditional way.
so its huge waiting lists and people sleeping in cars, on the streets or couch surfing.
Australia, the unlucky country
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Theo520
Guest
While your gift is kind and thoughtful,
why are you convinced that they are in need of blankets?
The local Christian charity would likely find someone who needs blankets.
If you are going to embark on personal donations, I urge you to ensure you are giving what they most need.
why are you convinced that they are in need of blankets?
The local Christian charity would likely find someone who needs blankets.
If you are going to embark on personal donations, I urge you to ensure you are giving what they most need.
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FollowChrist34
Guest
I would just do it and not be afraid. Though I recommend going through a charity. Once I bought this big bag of nuts and a bottle of water for a homeless guy and gave it to him. He got really embarrassed. I passed by the spot where he was a short while later (just by chance not to see him) and he had left. I had expected a different response, which perhaps was wrong of me. I think you are better off going through a charity or just paying your taxes for that matter. But if God is calling you to do this, then go for it.
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Rozellelily
Guest
I definitely don’t think that all people who are homeless have mental illnesses.
I’m only referring to the very specific isolated situation of the majority of the homeless in an area near myself.
This would be the people I would be giving the blankets to.
Or alternatively,I could go into the city and “meet” a wide variety of homeless people that are homeless for a variety of reasons and give something there,but I think in this instance I will give “locally” and maybe do something in the city (charity wise) in the future when I have the financial means.
Australia is ironic-its termed the lucky country in some ways yet the cost of living is so high
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Rozellelily
Guest
I should clarify,I’m in Australia.
Unfortunately it’s currently mid winter here.
Unfortunately it’s currently mid winter here.
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
And freezing tonight.
Roze with the ice issue etc, if you want to work directly on the streets it’s safer to do so through the organisations that go out and minister directly to the homeless. One really good group is pets of the homeless ( or similar name.)They have a fb page and are quite active in vic.
Roze with the ice issue etc, if you want to work directly on the streets it’s safer to do so through the organisations that go out and minister directly to the homeless. One really good group is pets of the homeless ( or similar name.)They have a fb page and are quite active in vic.
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Rozellelily
Guest
Thanks.I forgot about the ice issue.
That is making me think twice.
That is making me think twice.
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
Ice is turning the streets into a very unsafe place at night
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toddy
Guest
I helped a lot of them on the streets regularly.
Many of them are nice, but not all of them like religions, God. Only concern just-released prisoner homeless, but not others.
Have someone go with you. as caution.
Give heavy items to the poor or homeless shelters
Give compact and most light weight items only to the street homeless, unless few are nude temporarily:
water filter bottle, space blanket, thermal socks gloves hat, 1lbs sleeping bag, air mattress; etc. all in one back pack with chain and locks!
foods are in another big trash bag also their rain coat.
It is easier for them to move around like that.
God bless,
Many of them are nice, but not all of them like religions, God. Only concern just-released prisoner homeless, but not others.
Have someone go with you. as caution.
Give heavy items to the poor or homeless shelters
Give compact and most light weight items only to the street homeless, unless few are nude temporarily:
water filter bottle, space blanket, thermal socks gloves hat, 1lbs sleeping bag, air mattress; etc. all in one back pack with chain and locks!
foods are in another big trash bag also their rain coat.
It is easier for them to move around like that.
God bless,
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toddy
Guest
Go on next step, give the homeless a rosary and “How to pray rosary” pocket booklet, teach them to pray the rosary as need and ask them to pray daily. Eventually they will come back to faith maybe later in their life.
Download rosary pocket booklet here:
God bless,
Download rosary pocket booklet here:
God bless,
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po18guy
Well-known member
The problem with interacting directly with the homeless is that a substantial percentage of them are mental health patients. Some others are registered (or non-registered) sex offenders. Too risky!
As mentioned, donate to a bona fide charity and direct any homeless there if they express a need. If they do not wish to go to a charity, it then becomes more clear what they actually want.
Often that is liquid assets to purchase liquid nutrition.
As mentioned, donate to a bona fide charity and direct any homeless there if they express a need. If they do not wish to go to a charity, it then becomes more clear what they actually want.
Often that is liquid assets to purchase liquid nutrition.
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Rozellelily
Guest
Them having a mental illness is (ironically) part of the reason why I would want to do it personally as they may not have much social interaction/love/friendship apart from charity groups so to treat someone with kindness who is in this position might make a big difference to them in a world where they are usually ignored,treated with disdain or not cared about or people even embarrassed of them etc…
I think charities are good and definitely 100% necessary,but at the same time,I don’t like the concept of Christians solely relying on charities because I think each Christians “job” is to show love to the marginalised/the least of thee.
I want to be realistic but at the same time I really “hate” the sort of society where we completely “outsource” charities to look after the homeless,care homes to look after those with Autism,or Down’s Syndrome or other Intellectual Disabilities etc…
In my view it can really create an “out of mind out if sight” mentality where people think they can’t or shouldn’t do anything to love or help others because they aren’t the “experts”.
At the same time I am a bit wary and concerned in case someone is on Ice as their “behaviour” can be erratic.
Regarding sex offenders…I didn’t really even think of this
The homeless and liquid nutrition is a really complex area.
I don’t know how this can be fixed because often they lack a will to change and their cognition has been permanently affected by the alcohol abuse and lack of nutrients.
In the Northern Territory,alcohol abuse and the social disorders that come with it,has become so commonplace in some Aboriginal Communities that it has been banned/made illegal in those areas.
It seems very hard to get someone to stop drinking when they are alcoholic!
I think charities are good and definitely 100% necessary,but at the same time,I don’t like the concept of Christians solely relying on charities because I think each Christians “job” is to show love to the marginalised/the least of thee.
I want to be realistic but at the same time I really “hate” the sort of society where we completely “outsource” charities to look after the homeless,care homes to look after those with Autism,or Down’s Syndrome or other Intellectual Disabilities etc…
In my view it can really create an “out of mind out if sight” mentality where people think they can’t or shouldn’t do anything to love or help others because they aren’t the “experts”.
At the same time I am a bit wary and concerned in case someone is on Ice as their “behaviour” can be erratic.
Regarding sex offenders…I didn’t really even think of this
The homeless and liquid nutrition is a really complex area.
I don’t know how this can be fixed because often they lack a will to change and their cognition has been permanently affected by the alcohol abuse and lack of nutrients.
In the Northern Territory,alcohol abuse and the social disorders that come with it,has become so commonplace in some Aboriginal Communities that it has been banned/made illegal in those areas.
It seems very hard to get someone to stop drinking when they are alcoholic!
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Rozellelily
Guest
I’m not sure if they will accept this?
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toddy
Guest
I am afraid you do not have enough rosaries to give them!
Not all, but many of them including non-Catholics love to have rosaries around their necks. If rejecting, then they simply say no softly or take foods and run quickly. Prayers progress is very slow, but they can say rosary after all at least when I ask them.
Not all, but many of them including non-Catholics love to have rosaries around their necks. If rejecting, then they simply say no softly or take foods and run quickly. Prayers progress is very slow, but they can say rosary after all at least when I ask them.
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