So Many People On Street Corners Holding " Please Help" Signs... What Do You Do?

[Jullianna]

Re: So Many People On Street Corners Holding " Please Help" Signs... What Do You Do?

I am more likely to help women and children I see, but God has occasionally put it on my heart to help men as well. If they are conning me, I figure it is on their heads, not mine. God looks on the heart, so He sees my intent whether the person is telling the truth or not.

I agree with Oncefallen. I do prefer to support agencies that assist the homeless/those in need by donating to food banks, missions and shelters, especially for those who are now homeless due to abusive situations. These are far safer things for women to do.

I do think we need to be more helpful to those we DO know than we sometimes are. There are individuals within our own neighborhoods and churches who need food/clothing/help with expenses/rides to the doctor or to look for a job, or even elderly people who need help with yard work/housekeeping/grocery shopping/medical appointments. I was raised not to let the right hand know what the left hand is doing, so it is always a blessing to leave food/clothes/money for someone anonymously, especially children.

 

[seoulsearch]

Re: So Many People On Street Corners Holding " Please Help" Signs... What Do You Do?

I'm really grateful for the things people have posted here because it keeps us all aware, but I've also picked up some helpful tips. I like the idea of carrying small gift cards to pass out, along with emergency toiletry packs (I've spent a lot of time in hotels the past month--this is a great idea for the extra small bottles of shampoo and soap I've picked up along the way.)

I also like the reminder that there are organizations we can help or donate to who specialize in this kind of work. Having small cards with a shelter's contact info to pass out or include with the things mentioned above might be helpful. I appreciate being reminded of these groups because as a single woman who is usually by herself, there are certain situations that make me feel unsafe and I would much rather donate time or money to an organization instead.

As Oncefallen pointed out, some people continue to make bad choices and while I know I shouldn't judge, I don't believe in enabling, either. While working at a soup kitchen with some friends who are very passionate about such work, I was amazed at how many of the people had such entitled and downright rude attitudes when receiving a FREE meal: "You're all out of ribs? I wanted RIBS, not chicken!!!" "Why can't I have (insert something they couldn't have here)?" "Why don't you have (insert something we didn't have here)?"

My friends, who have worked with these populations for most of their lives, told me this is very common to find--that many of the people they encounter think everyone owes them something, that they are too good to work for or under anyone else because they see it as demeaning, and that everyone else exists to serve them because they are entitled. In other words, they believe they are above working for anyone else because they think everyone else is there to work for them. I guess I was really naive because I was truly shocked. And of course, not everyone is this way. But I was surprised at how many were.

I was adopted through an organization called Holt International Children's services and have been part of their sponsor-a-child program for several years. One thing I really like about their sponsorship program is that they have goals for each child they serve and when those goals are met (maybe it's an educational program, maybe it's helping the family move to a better location), they move on to help the next child and family. Sometimes it takes months, sometimes it takes years, and sometimes the need is ongoing.

But in the years I've been in this program, I've been sent several notices that the sponsorship need for one child has ended and would I now be interested in transferring my sponsorship to another? I like this because they are meeting clear objectives in the family's life instead of just handing out indefinite aid.