Step Up

Well now that the elections are over and there is a new group of people in the White House and Congress the question is; how this will affect the homeless crisis we have been facing and attempting to deal with for so long. To be honest I don't expect much coming from Washington.

We shall see I guess.

In all honesty, while I am not a very political person, I didn't have much faith in either of the presidential candidates. Personally I don't expect any major changes in the funding to assist the homeless services community to change. In fact it wouldn't surprise me to see cuts in funding, grants and other sources that originate within our governmental system at all levels and no increases.

What it really takes is for the community as a whole to step up and assist those neighbors of ours who could use a hand. No I'm not just talking about money, even though money plays a part. It also takes the willingness to step up and personally take on some part of the problem. Are you in the position to employ a homeless person? Would you be willing to take that chance? Most homeless people would be beside themselves if they had a good job. Or how about befriending a homeless person? I've spoken about this many times on this blog. Maybe identifying your local unsheltered homeless person and providing them a “care package” from time. Things that they could use in their camps or maybe food items.

There are a lot of things that you could do. If it's money then donate to the various shelters. Don't forget the outreach groups such as Catholic Charities SOS team or another favorite of mine The Hands of Hope of Tarrant County. Both outreach groups live on donations. Another couple of groups who in one way or another assist homeless people and rely on donations is the 1^st Street Mission on 1^st and Henderson in Ft Worth and another is The Beautiful Feet Ministries on Hatie St in SE Ft Worth just off of Riverside. I'm sure there are several others but the ones I mention here have in one way or another helped me during my homeless years and hold a special place in my heart.

Truly I feel that it is up to us to step up and get it done. Far too much money, time and effort is being lost when we have to rely on the “government” to take care of the problem. Let's directly support the people who actually do the work with the sheltered and unsheltered homeless communities. If not, why not get a group of people from church or neighbors and volunteer. As you get to know the homeless people out there you may discover that they are, for the most part, good people who have just hit a bump in the road. Maybe even, once you know some of your homeless neighbors, get yourself directly involved with them on an individual basis. 

We can solve this or at least reduce the problem if we all try.