Homeless People On The Street

[Era Might]

I enjoy talking to homeless people. There's a shrine downtown where they congregate outside, and they're scattered all around the city, so they're just part of the landscape. As far as approaching them, I think it depends. Some don't want to be bothered, some may be scared, some may be dangerous, and some may appreciate any help you can give them, even if it's just bringing them to a nearby McDonalds and buying them a meal.

Be careful about just giving out money though, especially if they seem really pushy. Some homeless will take advantage of you quickly.

But it's interesting to walk through a city in the middle of the night. Everyone is gone except the homeless, and you can't ignore them like you can during the day. I always compare them to the living dead. They're there, but we don't see them.

And don't be afraid to talk about God with them. They need it, and in my experience, they're often very open to conversation.

[Laudate_Dominum]

no wonder I hate mcdonald's so much, must have been all those years as a homeless person.

[Mercy me]

My parish is in an area that has panhandlers. We were told to direct them to Catholic Charities. I carry their card with me for this reason. Catholic Charities said not to give money because they will use it to feed their addictions.

If I come across someone in a safe area or I have someone with me, I will go buy food of their choice and bring it back. I have done this many times. I try to stay with them as they eat if it is possible.

The thing about this is that I have found that they often don't want the food that they say they want. They want money and will refuse the offer of food.

[Era Might]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1080898' date='Oct 1 2006, 03:19 PM']Equal in dignity no doubt, but they are individuals so I wouldn't say that there is some set script for approaching a homeless person. [/quote]
Yah, this is another important point: be real with the homeless. Don't treat them like little kids. Don't victimize them. If they start talking about their addictions, be real with them and tell them why they have to get themselves clean. I had a really interesting journey with a homeless guy in Phoenix who was an alcoholic, and he basically road around town with me and was gonna go to Mass, but I lost him at another bus stop. He went into a Baptist Church and never came out.

[Laudate_Dominum]

not every place has good humanitarian stuff in place. if everyone stopped giving change you would likely see more desperate acts such as crime and prostitution.

[Norseman82]

[color="#33CC00"]I have worked in downtown/near north Chicago for most of the past 13 years and have taken the 'L' to school for almost 8 prior to that. So I see my share. Most of the ones will either ask for money, or will have a cup or sign to indicate they are seeking money. And after a while, you kind of get an intuition as to who is real and who could be a con artist.

My policy is that I don't give money because I don't want my charity to go into the liquor bottle; I tell them that to their faces and I don't back down. But I have carried an apple or piece of fruit with me, given one of those coupons redeemable at a restaurant, or I will get them a sandwich at a Wendy's or Subway.[/color]

Edited October 2, 2006 by Norseman82

[Franimus]

i'm kinda glad i don't really come across any homeless... well, i guess that's a lie.. there's a homeless guy in my hometown who has recently become an active part of our parish. he's like the parish/school security guard (although he isn't).. he sleeps outside at night, and always is sitting on the school benches to greet us on our way to church on sundays.. and he helps out a lot with the parish festival and other events... the parish takes care of him, i guess... he's never asked anyone for money (ofc, i dunno if he's asked the parish or not.. but he doesn't beg)

around school, i just give people rides.. i passed by one hitchhiker and felt really bad about it.. it was a road south of steubie from which you could only go towards steubenville, which is why i would've been more likely to pick him up.. i dunno
but i always at least give students rides when i can

[Old_Joe]

I've thought about giving away gift certificates to the restaurant I work at. I'm not sure how feasible it is though.