You can help homeless people get back on their feet.
While it is extremely difficult to know exactly how many people are homeless in the United States today, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty estimates that 3.5 million people will experience homelessness in a given year. Of this number, an estimated 1.35 million people are children. The fastest growing group of homeless people is children under 9 years of age. With the current economic crisis, the number of people without a place to sleep is skyrocketing. You can help people in need of shelter and food in these especially tough economic times.
Instructions
1. Understand what it means to be homeless. The term "homeless" is not only applied to people who live on the street. It is applied broadly to people who access transitional housing, emergency shelters or temporary "doubled-up" living arrangements (living with friends or family members in cramped conditions) for a period of time in a given year. In rural areas lacking in emergency shelters, people experiencing economic difficulties may end up in "doubled-up" living conditions and can be denied services and protection as they are not recognized as homeless. Homelessness does not only affect single people, but affects families and children as well. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2008, the average stay for families in emergency shelters was 70 days. According to the same study, 19% of single homeless people have been affected by domestic violence and another 19% are employed.
2. Volunteer your time to help the homeless in your area. The National Coalition for the Homeless compiles a yearly directory of national, statewide and local homeless advocacy groups. Check the directory for groups in your area, and contact those you are interested in volunteering for to find out their needs and requirements. Sign up to volunteer at a soup kitchen, help out at a resource center or shelter or answer phones for a homeless hotline. There are many ways to help, and you can give as much or as little time as you have. If you enjoy writing, you can volunteer to write press releases or edit a homeless center's Web site or blog. There are many ways to use your talents to help others.
3. Donate your used goods. The Homeless Shelter Directory lists 3,159 organizations across the country that provide goods and services to homeless people as of 2011. Use the directory to find an organization in your area that is looking for the goods you have to donate. Give clothes that can be reused, or personal care items such as toothpaste and soap. Some shelters accept donations of electronics, household goods such as furniture and appliances as well as vehicles. Inquire with the specific shelter to find out if they accept these items.
4. Get your kids involved. As homelessness affects children, many organizations are looking for children's toys and clothing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a page dedicated to ideas that can help you get your children involved in helping the homeless. Ask your child to clean his room, and set aside old toys and clothes he would like to donate to homeless children. If your child is interested in helping the homeless, he could ask his friends to do the same. Donations of children's books are also often accepted.
Tags: homeless people, emergency shelters, your area, doubled-up living, given year