Giving Money to the Homeless
In a city as big as Los Angeles, the prevalence of the homeless community is ever present. Whether you’re in the tourist infested glitter of Hollywood Blvd, or the sunny beaches of Venice, you will be asked for money. For any person that sees themselves as compassionate or caring, this can pose a serious conundrum.
Do you give?
People often note of getting burned in these situations. So often, you offer money to someone begin for “just a gallon of gas,” only to see them take that ten dollar bill into the convenience store and leave with a six pack of beer. It certainly can be disheartening. But does that make it ok to ignore them all?
There are certainly plenty of reasons that a person might be on the street. “Numerous studies have reported that approximately one-third of homeless persons have a serious mental illness, mostly schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.” [1] So, with that in mind, it would certainly seem more helpful for them to receive assistance getting to one of the many facilities available to them that might be able to treat their illness.
But if not money, then what can you do? It’s been offered as a solution to the idea that “you don’t know what they’ll do with your money,” to offer food instead. But honestly, it only takes one homeless person, when being offered a slice of pizza, to tell you that they’re, “gluten-free” to make you want to go on a killing spree… or short of that, never give another bite to another human.
In the end, as far I can tell, it’s important to do whatever you can in the moment. Shy of Bill Gates, very few people can help everyone, and by their example, it’s obvious that even with that much money, the problem is not simple. I find myself giving when a service is offered. Music, dancing, magic. Things like this will get the dollar out of my pocket.
For you, the choice will have to be yours.
[1] https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/homeless-mentally-ill.html
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Helping people is very good.
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I helped inspire homeless towards recovery programs through The Salvation Army and the ministry of Revolution Hawaii for a year and also helped a few more years in Portland, Oregon.
That's nice of you.
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Thank you for raising awareness to the homeless issue in our Metropolitan cities. This subject directly touches us (me) in a very particular way.
I am 1 of 3 partner in this new venture of ours. I was homeless for 6 years in the cold Northern City of Montreal, Canada. This story touches me to the core. Today, 10 years later, I give back in anyway I can.
You see, the streets does have many nightmares. Yet, you also witness and are part of the most thoughtful acts of love by strangers. A homeless will see true hate and true love. A constant battle between the Yin and the Yang.
Today, I give my time and efforts to Homeless Veterans. Everyday, EVERYDAY, I walk by the very metro I once called home. I see the boy's each morning going to work. Its a good feeling I can't describe.
I tell you, a smile is all it takes. A coffee on a cold day. Even a hug, yes, offer a hug. A homeless most desired need is recognition. Recognition that he is Heart, that she is Loved or that they are welcomed to be part of society.
You see, we will never solve the homelessness issue. Some find inner peace in that lifestyle. They are not the many, but there is a few. Why you might ask? Why would someone want to be homeless.
The streets can be a wound that heals or allows a certain amnesia of your past. To survive the day at times can help one survive in itself.
I apologize for this long reply, and I am french, therefore I hope this is readable.
We at Bitfinancialservices do street campaigns once a Month. Sox, clothes, sleeping bags or even Tim Hortons Card (Canadian Coffee Shop).
I remember once when I sat on a park bench beside a Business man that seemed rich. He was crying. He told me his Wife had just sent him divorced papers and found the house empty. He explain to me how rich I was and would give it all to get his wife back.
That day, that rich man, was the homeless. Homeless of his emotion of Love. Cause at the end of the day, the only thing that difference us, is social class. Cause you can be King or Asshole, when the Love of your life leaves you, we are the same. Sad.
Be good. Be nice. Recognize, we are all the same at heart. We love or we hate. We judge or we accept.
Stephan Tzoutzourakis.
love it man, good stuff. Seattle there are tons of homeless people and i feel so bad that there are, so many you cant help them all. someone need to open a store that only hires homeless with an apartment in the back for them to sleep, and save up and work their way out! that would be awesome. If they didn't have to pay rent of course because then they would pretty much just be trapped employees. but anyways.... thanks for getting us thinking!
Chronically homeless means constantly homeless; it means repeatedly homeless.
we should help homeless people, and in our society homeless should be as important as rich