It's hard to see homeless people on the street. You would love to be able to help them but you don't know where to start. With a little help from wikiHow, you can be on your way to helping a homeless person tremendously and changing the fate of the entire community. Start with step 1.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Things You Can Do
Step 1. Donate some money
The easiest way to help homeless people is to donate money. This ensures that professionals who know what the greatest need is will have the tools they need to help people.
- When donating money, focus on local associations. Larger, nationwide organizations spend a lot of money on advocacy (which is a good thing) but it's relatively little compared to actually helping people, especially in your area.
- You can also make donations to churches, temples, mosques and other religious organizations, even if you are not religious. These organizations have other income to cover management expenses, so your money should go directly to helping people.
- If you want to check that a local organization is legitimate and uses their funds responsibly, you can check their websites. You can also check your municipality's website to see which associations are registered.
- If you want, you can specify how you would like your money to be used. Most charities allow this. But keep in mind that they know where the need is most.
Donate items. Donating your old or new things is another easy way to help. Donate these items to local associations that help homeless people or give them directly to the homeless you see often. The best things to donate are:
Step 1.
- Warm, winter clothing (such as headphones, gloves, coats, and boots)
- Underwear
- Small hygiene items (the kind of items found in hotels, small toothpaste, etc.)
- Professional clothing (a hurdle for homeless people to overcome is being presentable at job interviews)
- First aid items (such as aspirin, patches, antibacterial lotions, and hand sanitizer)
- Public transport tickets (to help them go to job interviews)
Step 2. Get some food
Everyone needs to eat every day. If you're hungry, your ability to make good decisions for yourself doesn't work that well, does it? There are many ways you can help homeless people get food.
- You can donate canned food and fresh fruit and vegetables to neighborhood canteens.
- You can also bring bananas, apples or sandwiches, all of which you can get cheap and in large quantities at food discount stores, with the people you see on the street.
Step 3. Volunteer
Another way to help homeless people is to volunteer in an association that helps homeless people. This can be a dormitory, a neighborhood canteen, or an organized center. These associations need volunteers so they can put as much money as possible into helping homeless people (instead of having to pay a large group of people). If you are a professional (such as a doctor, lawyer, designer or owner), you can make your skills available to the voluntary service.
The owners are particularly helpful. Often, homeless people manage to get a job, but it could take up to a month before they get their first salary. During that time they need a place to live so they can sleep and be ready. Keeping an apartment open for people in this situation can be a huge service to your community, and a municipal dormitory can probably help
Step 4. Create jobs
If you find yourself holding a position that allows you to create jobs, do so. Whether it's hiring someone or training them in a position as a secretary or clerk, or just letting them do chores like mowing your lawn, it can make a huge difference to someone.
Make sure, however, that you don't take advantage of them. Pay them a fair and reasonable amount
Step 5. Get in touch with local help
If you see people on the street, one of the best things you can do is call the local homeless association. Some people don't know how to get help, and for this reason, they may never get it. Call for them and put them on the road to recovery.
Step 6. Call the emergency services
If anyone is having serious problems, call the emergency services. If you see that someone is having a psychotic attack, call 113. If you see that someone could be in danger to themselves or others, call 113. If someone is in danger due to the weather or appears to be committing suicide, call 113.
113 is the public emergency number of the state police in Italy. Use your area number if it is different
Part 2 of 5: Making Political Changes
Step 1. Support mental health services
One of the best ways to make a difference for homeless people is to change the way our society views this topic and how it behaves towards it. In Italy, the biggest problem for homeless people is the lack of mental health services. Support these types of services and write to politicians in your municipality about your case.
Step 2. Support affordable housing initiatives
Another problem in many cities is that of affordable housing. This is a really big issue. Support election campaigns for affordable housing and write to local housing groups to help them understand this need. Speak against new developments that are not accessible.
Step 3. Pay the costs of free, low-cost medical care
Primary medical care is a huge problem for homeless people. They are more prone to health problems, but are obviously stuck in a position where they cannot afford to get help. Support free local clinics and work to get more free clinics in your city.
Step 4. Support day care centers
Day centers are another service that can help homeless people get back on their feet. These centers give homeless people a safe place to go looking for work or even just to keep their belongings while they are looking for work. Day centers aren't that common so if your city doesn't have one, work to try and get one.
Step 5. Support libraries
Area libraries are a great resource for homeless people. They have job search tools, such as the internet, for free and available to homeless people. They are also a source of information, where homeless people can learn things that can help them find work in the future.
Part 3 of 5: For Professionals
Step 1. Assess their immediate needs
Stop focusing on long-term goals, like getting them back to school or getting them to drop the bottle. You have to solve their most pressing problems first, by finding them a place to sleep, as well as some food.
Step 2. Find out how they became homeless people
Often this can lead you to understand what you can do to fix the problem. It will also help you bond and they will be more willing to let you help them.
Step 3. Find out their support system
Find out if they have family or friends who can help. They often have them, but are uncomfortable asking for help or don't know how to find their family.
Step 4. Find the resources
Find things like dorms, food programs, training programs, and public resources. They probably can't find these things on their own.
Step 5. Make a list of them
Make a list of the primary resources available to them, such as dormitories and canteens. Make a list of addresses, telephone numbers and opening hours. Make it as easy to read as possible. You can also include emotional reminders to help keep them inspired and motivated.
Step 6. Find accommodations for people with addictions
If they are alcoholics, they may find it hard to get into the system because many, or most dorms, require people to go sober. Accommodations for people with addictions are available in some cities and are specially designed to help homeless people with addiction problems and their success rate tends to be phenomenal.
Part 4 of 5: What to do
Step 1. Respect them
Always respect homeless people. Some of them have made the wrong choices but some have not. Even if they have made the wrong choices, no one deserves to be homeless. Homeless people are no less worth than you. They too are someone's children. Talk to them and treat them the way you would like to be treated.
Step 2. Be friendly
Smile at him. Talk to them. Don't stare. Don't ignore them. Homeless people can feel very self-aware and just treating them right makes their day better.
Step 3. Offer help
Offer to help them. They may not know who to talk to for help or find the specific help they need. Offer to help them, perhaps not by giving them money directly but by buying lunch for them or by contacting a dormitory for them.
Step 4. Use plain language
When you talk to them, speak simple and get to the point. This is not because they are stupid but because being hungry or cold can alter a person's judgment. They may have trouble understanding you and may need help thinking about the issues.
Part 5 of 5: What Not to Do
Step 1. Don't offer rides
In general you shouldn't offer them a ride unless you have insurance from their social worker that they are not a danger. Many homeless people suffer from mental health problems and could pose a danger, even if they have no intention of doing so at all.
Step 2. Don't offer shelter
You shouldn't offer him a place to stay in your home, for the same reason explained above. Find another way to help them.
Step 3. Don't confront someone who is having a seizure
If someone is ranting, yelling, or appears to have a mental problem, don't face it. Call the police.
Step 4. Never treat them as inferior or stupid
They usually aren't. Sometimes things just happen in our lives, and many countries aren't well equipped to help people get back on track.
