I'm going to ramble on about some things again in this post. I seem to do some of my best postings when I do it this way.
I've painted a rather poor picture of most of the homeless people that I've met and known over the year that I've been out here. Believe it or not there are a few of us who are actually trying to move up in our lives if only we had a bit of a helping hand. That's part of the problem and the fix is not very simple either.
A few of us, myself included, are actively looking to find work or a way to support ourselves in order to leave the shelters and camps where we live. The unfortunate part of this is that you, the person who wishes to help, do not know whether we are serious or not. On more than one occasion I got the distinct impression from different people and even some case managers that I was just another homeless person who was out for whatever advantage that he or she could gain. Just like first impressions, that is a mistake on many levels.
I know you wish to help. But you also don't wish to make a mistake. Now here's where it starts getting hard. In addition to what you might normally do to help the homeless whether it's volunteering at a shelter or feeding them meals or providing clothes, how about trying to get to know one or two of us on a more personal level. Talk to us. Granted you will find many who are truly looking for the advantage I've spoken of many times. But if you are persistent eventually you may find one of us who is truly looking to move up in the world.
Once you do find this one person, if it's possible, take him or her under your wing as it were and turn that person into your own personal project or if that's not possible maybe make it a group project with some people from your church or social organisation. Help him or her find work and a place to live. But don't stop there. Keep in touch with them. Some of us will stumble along the way and with continuing long term support which could be something as simple as a phone call or short visit once in a while can go a long way toward getting someone like me off the street and back into the mainstream.
Truly that's my goal. To get off the street and into a position where I can support myself. The problem as I said is getting that help to start me going again. I've spent years fixing some of my more obvious personal problems. I've managed to work out the addictions I'd had. I, as have some others, just need some help making the next step.
Make friends with a worthy homeless person as a goal for the holidays or as a New Year resolution. Help get that person off the street and self sufficient. Then help them when they stumble. Who knows, maybe he will pay it forward and do the same for another homeless person himself.
What you are describing here was specifically the goal we had set out to in the beginning two years ago - to somehow find those who were ready to launch, and help get them going. But we only made it as far as once a month outreach events and it's not easy to get to know people when you only see them once a month. We experience the us/them situation so much - both sides needing the other for different reasons - but alot of distrust on both sides. We felt like it was never going to get past that, and we had so much energy tied up in fundraising just for that one day of joy a month. It didn't seem possible to move on to another level, then we were both heavily hit on the family level with big crises.
ReplyDeleteJesus came down and lived with us - shared our griefs and trials as humans. I don't think any ministry can truly identify and help and still remain aloof in their comfortable suburb somewhere else. I think in there somewhere is an answer - for those who are willing. For many of us in houses.. life is also a daily grind of survival for basic needs, just on a bigger scale. So hard for us to get off that hamster wheel and believe we can make a real difference for anyone. Those who need help, and those who can help, both tied down in different circumstances. But with God, all things are possible!