When the poor around us may not really need our help

[dje101]

From what I know of people in need is that sometimes it IS their own poor choices that have put them in a needy situation.

I can give you a very concrete example that has just happened in my own family. My young niece chose to move in with boyfriend’s mother’s house. The dysfunctional and immoral situation did not work out and they where left homeless. To compound matters my niece took out a school loan and spent a portion of the money on a puppy, $900.00.! Now they show up at grandmothers house, homeless, broke and with a large untrained dog.

What is the charitable thing to do in this situation? I don’t even begin have an answer…
I have tried to talk with them but so far they seem too immature and even possibly a little mentally ill to listen but maybe something I say will help.

It is probably the same for this woman. She may be the cause of her own situation but still I would try to help her. Next time you buy her a sandwich maybe say in a light way " ya know those cigarettes aren’t good for your health" It may open up a conversation about why she smokes and you may learn a little bit about her and how she got to where she is. The homeless need your attention as much as they need you money. Something you say or do may help her too someday.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I will definitely try having a talk with her some day. I don’t see her all that often, and when I do, most of the time (though not all the time) I don’t have time to stop and have an extended chat. But, I will definitely make this a goal.

I guess the main thing I had a problem with is that, I know there are some people out there who are homeless because they refuse to accept help or inappropriately use any help that is given to them. My thinking was that, if someone isn’t willing to help themselves, maybe we should put out time into helping those that actually need and want help. But, like others on here have said, I shouldn’t judge her or anyone else; I don’t know their stories and haven’t walked in their shoes.

 

[horselvr]

Has anyone here on this thread ever taken any of the homeless into their homes?

 

[JRKH]

Has anyone here on this thread ever taken any of the homeless into their homes?

I have not…

Except for my son who found himself homeless on more than one occasion…but I suspect that this doesn’t really count…

Peace
James

 

[horselvr]

JRKH: I have a 45 yr old nephew that I took in because he said he wanted to get back on his feet. He is homeless by choice and not circumstance and would rather live off the government and those that feel sorry for him because he is “homeless”.

 

[jimcav]

To those here that are confused or don’t know how they should or could help the homeless, might I suggest joining a group or organisation that does volunteer work geared towards helping the unfortunate.

I’m a member of the Knights of Columbus, and we do quite a few things to help the unfortunate and downtrodden, such as Coats for Kids program, food drives for our parish food pantry, shaking the cans to collect money on the street corner and other similar good works. There are plenty of other organisations that do this type of work to that would indeed be glad to have the help in this mission.

I believe, at least for me, that this the most effective way to truly help people in need, because you know that the help is going to really go toward that individual or group of people, and you won’t be enabling them to stay in the street and continue any bad habits they might have.

 

[horselvr]

jimcav: This is very good advice.

 

[fred_conty]

Years ago when I was smoking, I would have preferred the cirgarette to the sanwich.
It is addictive.