31 - Treat the Homeless with DIGNITY
We have a lot of homeless people in Portland, as I am sure everyone else does in this country. I was downtown several months ago and noticed a bunch of young kids (probably in their teens, they looked like they just stepped out of an American Eagle ad) giving a hard time to a homeless couple. Someone stepped in and told them to leave them be - but it made me wonder if we are informing our children about the homeless? What do you tell your kids?
FACTS- 2.3 to 3.5 million people are homeless at some point each year.
- 840,000 people sleep on the streets every night.
- 37% of the homeless are families with children, and 71% are single-parent.
- families—the fastest growing group of all homeless.
- 44% of the homeless population has part or full-time employment.
- Less than 30% of those eligible for low-income housing actually receive it because of a nationwide lack of affordable housing and assisted-housing programs.
- 50% of all women and children who are homeless are fleeing domestic violence.
- Contrary to public perception, only 16% of the single adult homeless suffer from some form of severe and ongoing mental illness.
- 94% of the homeless do not want to be homeless.
- Don’t judge people based on their outward appearances or life circumstances.
- Better understand who the homeless are by talking to them on the street or by volunteering to serve food at a mission, shelter, or soup kitchen. You’ll be surprised by what you learn.
- Look a homeless person in the eye, show consideration, be polite, and smile. Simply say “hello” or “God bless you.” They are human, just like you.
- Instead of money, offer bottled water, ready-to-eat food, or toiletries.
- If a homeless person asks for help and you are not able to do so, simply state, “I’m sorry. I’m not able to help today” rather than treating them with indifference or ignoring them.
- I try to carry around gallon size zip loc baggies full of dog food in my car. So when I see a homeless person with a dog, I give them a bag.
People don’t want to be homeless. Yet millions of people may only be one missed paycheck, one health crisis, or one unpaid bill away from becoming homeless. How many paychecks can you miss and still afford to pay the rent or mortgage? Treat the homeless with dignity and respect; they are not that different from you.
