There’s a lot of financial uncertainty these days, but the reality is that even though we feel poorer, most of will never experience true poverty. We may not always get or have what we want but we are blessed with the necessities. If you want to calm your fears about financial matters, try gaining perspective by giving to those who have much less. Unfortunately, poverty is not just limited to developing nations - you don't have to go much further than your own backdoor to find someone in need. Today, I am concentrating on ways of helping the poor in the U.S. to rise out of their poverty with dignity. Every time I travel, I am struck by the sheer number of homeless people on the streets. And the numbers are climbing. We find them in cities, in suburbs, under bridges, in parks, and on vacant industrial property. They live in tents, plywood and tarp contraptions that defy definition. Some of the homeless do work. Some have substance-abuse problems. Some suffer from forms of mental illness. Every one of them wants something the rest of us want as well: love and understanding.
I was exiting the highway on an off ramp when I saw him. Disheveled and limping, he plopped a backpack on the median at the intersection, opened a zipper, and pulled out a sign.
As I drew closer, he unfolded the cardboard and I could read it:
"Why lie?" the sign read. "I want beer."
I was struck by the honesty of the sign . . . and touched by the reality of this man's plight.
For some, the homeless offer an opportunity for charity and for self-reflection. Each person living on the streets has a unique story of why they are homeless.
- Some are illegal immigrants.
- Some are veterans.
- Some are people who found out a low-paying job doesn’t come close to paying for rent, electricity, food, and medicine.
Low wages is a problem
- With a tent and $20, a homeless man can have shelter and food for the day, without the hassle of checking into a shelter, meeting its regulations about substance abuse and having to deal with a curfew. Either way, he will be no closer to finding a job, a car, an apartment or health insurance.
- If he worked 40 hours a week at a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, he would make $824 a month. The cheapest apartments in our area run about $550 a month, plus $75 for electricity. That leaves $199 to cover everything else. If his job is not within walking distance but is on the bus route, he would spend $4 per day commuting -- that’s another $80 a month. That leaves roughly $4 per day for food and any other necessities.
Inability to work is a problem
- Unable to work because of physical disabilities.
- Unable to work because of mental illnesses.
- Unable to work because of lacking people skills.
- Unable to work because of a severe lack of coping skills.
Most government programs and some homeless charities fail to address all the needs of the homeless. Most areas offer shelters and soup kitchens for the homeless, but these facilities are in fixed locations, so they serve limited populations.
Wikipedia defines Poverty as: The deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, and may also include the deprivation of opportunities to learn, to obtain better employment to escape poverty, and/or to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.
If we are to look at this definition of poverty, we can work to re-write the outcomes by not only providing the basics of food and shelter to those in need but we can provide skills, education, job training, health care, counseling. If we were to spend more time and money up front, we could put a stop to the cycle of poverty and homelessness by helping people stand on their own and be responsible for their own well being rather than relying on others. Clearly adding a "sense of self and self-worth". We also need to make sure we have mental health coverage for those in need so they may pay for proper care and shelter.
As our economy continues to sour, we don't just need temporary housing and temporary solutions for our citizens, we need intensive programs that cover whatever a person might need in order to stay in permanent, supportive housing.
For some, the homeless offer an opportunity for charity and for self-reflection. Well meaning people can help the homeless by:
- Many people around here carry small bags of toiletries and non-perishable food, giving these necessities to the homeless they see at street corners.
- Others give them Bibles, blankets, or tarps.
- Some give them a kind word.
- Many "adopt" families during the holiday season to help with food and warm clothing
- There are groups like Superheroes Anonymous' ….(what a great story) and many other worth while organizations who help on a temporary basis to make a HUGE difference in the lives of many and they need to be applauded! or
Sadly, the faces of Poverty in America come in a variety of forms. In addition to the homeless, today, there are many hard-working citizens and elderly who are one bad break from being out on the streets.
Why not reach out to your neighbor and ask them how you can help, take them an unexpected meal, offer to babysit or help with home improvements. Sometimes, just the offer, knowing that someone cares means more than you will ever realize.
Even our children are learning the value of helping others, check out the wonderful things they have done one Club Penguin - Kids Helping Kids ... let's continue to support this type of activity - let your kids know how much their efforts, no matter how small (pulling weeds for an elderly neighbor - things they may not have the extra funding for), are appreciated.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
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