Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 6: Things you can do
• Part 2 of 6: Volunteering
• Part 3 of 6: Political activism
• Part 4 of 6: For professionals
• Part 5 of 6: What you can do to help
• Part 6 of 6: Things not to do
• Tips
• Warnings

It often hurts to see homeless people on the street. Maybe you really want to help, but you have no idea where to start. With a little help from wikiHow, you can have an immensely positive impact on the life of a homeless person. Thus, you can change the fate of the entire community

To step

Part 1 of 6: Things you can do

1. Donate money. The easiest way to help the homeless is to donate money. This ensures that professionals who understand where help is most needed can do their job. These professionals and the organizations they work for have the resources to really help people.
   • When donating money, focus on local organizations. Large, (inter) national organizations such as the Salvation Army spend a lot of their money on bringing the problem to the attention (which is of course also good), but relatively little on actually helping people - especially the people in your home. the neighbourhood.
   • You can also donate money to churches, temples, mosques and other religious organizations. You don't have to be religious for that. These organizations have different sources of income for operating expenses, so your money can be used directly to help people.
   • If you want to make sure that a local organization is legitimate and its funds are used responsibly, check the website of the Central Bureau of Fundraising.
   • If you wish, you can specify how your money should be used. Most charities give you this option. However, keep in mind that the institutions themselves know best where help is most needed.
2. Donate stuff. Donating used or new items is another easy way to help. Donate the items to local organizations that help homeless people, or give them yourself to homeless people you see regularly. The best things to donate include:
   • Clothing for harsh weather conditions (such as hats, gloves, boots and jackets)
   • New underwear and socks
   • Small items for personal care (such as travel-size toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)
   • Professional clothing (in order to say goodbye to the homeless existence, the homeless will have to dress presentable at job interviews)
   • First aids (such as antibiotic ointment, patches, antibacterial hand cleanser, etc.)
   • Secondary medical supplies (such as sunscreen, allergy medications, tissues, etc.)
   • Bus tickets (so they can look for a job)
   • Linen (sheets, pillows, towels, etc.)
3. Provide food. Everyone needs food, and everyone needs it every day. You're a lot less able to make good decisions when you're hungry, aren't you? There are many ways to feed homeless people.
   • You can bring preserves and fresh fruit and vegetables to local soup kitchens.
   • You can also bring bananas, apples or sandwiches to homeless people on the street. Preferably choose foods that are a bit softer, such as bananas. Many homeless people suffer from dental problems, which makes eating apples or carrots a lot more difficult.
4. Create jobs. If you are in a position to give someone a job, do it. Whether you hire someone to train as a coffee maid or servant, or have the homeless mow your lawn, you can make a big difference to someone.
   • Just be careful not to abuse them. Pay them a reasonable and fair salary for their services.
   • Collect recyclable items. If you live in a place where recyclable items make money (like cans), collect them all and give them to a homeless person. The homeless person can then exchange the items for money. This is an important source of income for many homeless people.
   • Buy the homeless newspaper. This is a newspaper sold by people without a permanent residence or residence, and which was created to make them more financially independent. Such newspapers are available in most major cities.
5. Contact local aid organizations. If you see someone on the street, contacting the local homeless shelter is often the best thing you can do for them. Some people often don't know where to find help, so they never get it. Call for them to put them on the road to recovery.
6. Call the emergency services. If someone clearly has a serious problem, call the emergency services. If you see someone who is clearly psychotic, call the emergency number. If you see someone who is a danger to themselves or others, give them a call as well. If you see someone in danger due to the weather, or someone who appears to want to commit suicide, make sure to also call the emergency number.

Part 2 of 6: Volunteering

1. Volunteer with an organization. Look for organizations that help the homeless. Often there are awareness organizations and / or organizations that focus on finding housing, jobs or training for the homeless. Find out what's available in your area and make a contribution.
2. Register as a volunteer at a soup kitchen. Soup kitchens address one of the biggest short-term problems homeless people face: Do they have enough food to survive? Help is always welcome in the soup kitchen. For example, you can help prepare the food, as well as collect donations from local churches and businesses.
3. Offer your help at a shelter. Shelters offer homeless people a safe place to sleep. They often need volunteers who can help keep the facility clean and safe, as well as help find more permanent solutions for the homeless.
4. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that builds houses for homeless and displaced families. You can learn important skills and help people build these houses.
5. Offer temporary housing. This is an excellent option, especially for landlords. It often takes two weeks to a month for homeless people who have found work to receive their first salary. In the meantime, they need a place where they can sleep and get ready for work. By releasing an apartment for people in this situation, you can do a tremendous service to the community. A local shelter can probably help you with this.

Part 3 of 6: Political activism

1. Support mental health services. One of the best ways to make a difference is to change society's image of homeless people. By changing what society does about the issue. In the United States, a lack of mental health services is the biggest problem for homeless people. Support local services and write to local politicians about your cause.
2. Support initiatives for affordable housing. Another problem in the big cities is a lack of affordable housing - a very big problem, too. Support initiatives for affordable housing and write to local housing organizations to publicize that need. Speak out against new developments that are not affordable.
3. Support free and low-cost medical care. Basic medical care is a huge problem for homeless people. They are prone to health problems but unfortunately are in a position where they often cannot afford adequate medical care. Support free clinics nearby, and do your best to open more free clinics in the city.
4. Support day care centers. Day care centers are places where homeless people can try to get their lives back on track. These centers offer homeless people a safe place to look for a job. They can also store their belongings in the center when looking for a job. There are not many day care centers. If there isn't any center in your city, try to get one off the ground.
5. Support libraries. Local libraries are extremely important to the homeless. In the library, homeless people can use the internet for free (or for a small fee) so that they can look for work. Libraries also contain a wealth of information that helps homeless people learn skills that could help them find a job in the future.

Part 4 of 6: For professionals

1. Assess their immediate needs. Don't focus on the long-term goals like getting rid of booze or sending them back to school. Focus on their immediate problems first, such as a place to sleep and a meal.
2. Find out how they got homeless. This will allow you to gain a better understanding of what it takes to fix the problem. In addition, you create a bond between you and the homeless person in question, so that they will allow you to help a lot more quickly.
3. Learn about their support network. Find out if they have friends or family members who can help. Often they have them, but are too proud to ask for help or don't know how to find their families.
4. Find resources and organizations for them. For example, look for shelters, feeding programs, training, and government agencies. The homeless will probably not be able to find these agencies themselves.
5. Make a list for them. List basic tools and instances they have available. List addresses, phone numbers and opening times. Make sure the list is easy to read. You can even add emotional reminders to keep them inspired and motivated.
6. Find a drug addiction treatment center. If the homeless are alcohol and / or drug addicts, they will have to kick the habit. For example, look for Jellinek clinics that specialize in addiction treatment.

Part 5 of 6: What you can do to help

1. Respect them. Always show respect for homeless people. Some homeless people have made bad choices, but others have not. And even if they have made bad choices, no one deserves to be homeless. Homeless people are worth no less than you. Homeless people also have a father and mother. Talk to them and treat them as you would like to be treated.
2. Be friendly. Smile at them. Talk to them. Don't stare at them. Don't ignore them. Homeless people can feel very self-aware, which can make their day a lot more enjoyable if you treat them right
3. Offer your help. Offer them your help. They may not know who to talk to or how to get the help they need. Offer to help them. Don't do that by giving them money right away, but treat them to lunch or contact a shelter.
4. Use simple language. When talking to them, try to get your message across as simply and clearly as possible. Not because they are stupid, but because hunger and cold can impair a person's judgment. Therefore, they may have a hard time understanding you and may need help mapping out their problems.

Part 6 of 6: Things not to do

1. Do not offer transportation. In general, you should never offer a lift to homeless people unless you have heard from the social worker that there is absolutely no harm in doing so. Many homeless people suffer from mental health problems and can be dangerous - even if they don't mean to.
2. Don't offer them to sleep at your place. The reason for this is the same as the one above. Find other ways to help them.
3. Never approach someone who appears to be experiencing a psychotic episode. If someone is yelling, ranting, ranting, or in any other way appears to be experiencing a mental health problem, do not approach them. In this case, just call the police.
4. Never treat them as less or stupid. They usually are not. Sometimes bad things can happen in our life. Many countries are not well equipped to get people back on their feet.

Tips

• Be friendly! Always!
• If you treat them with respect, they will generally treat you with respect too.
• Be respectful.

Warnings

• Don't put yourself in danger. When in doubt, leave it to the professionals.
• When handing out food, always bring someone else with you. Never do this alone.