Homelessness

Do Your Part to Combat Homelessness

It's unfortunate, but just about everyone has seen some sort of homelessness. It could have been on the drive home from work spotting someone holding a sign on a street corner looking for a handout. Maybe as a child we saw a homeless person sleeping on a park bench. There are even times when the media makes light of homelessness. Regardless of the level of exposure, most people would agree that it is a problem and will continue to be a problem for the lower echelons of society.

What Causes Homelessness?

Homelessness in developed countries can be caused by any number of factors. Poverty is by far one of the most likely contributors. In developed countries those who live at or below the poverty line are in a very bad position and usually are unable to rely on any kind of consistent income. Due to a lack of education some people are only able to take certain jobs and usually these jobs do not pay enough for a person to actually make a living. Drugs and Alcohol abuse are also contributing factors. The number of people that are homeless that are addicted to drugs or alcohol is staggering. Drugs don't necessarily lead to homelessness but do increase the average persons chances of losing everything and becoming a vagrant. This is a major reason why it is recommended that you never give homeless persons money directly. Due to the large number of drug users that are homeless it is possible to be supporting a habit rather then actually be providing assistance. Other factors would include mental illness or disability, domestic abuse and even in some rare cases military service. It could be any number of these factors that force a person into homelessness.

What You Can Do

Are there ways that you and your family can help combat homelessness today? Everyone wants to feel like they are doing their part to help and that is commendable. Some families make regular donations to charity organizations that offer food and shelter to the homeless. Others may even feel moved to volunteer their free time feeding the homeless at locally run shelters. Still others may feel a need to offer some sort of spiritual guidance to those less fortunate feeling that they may be inspired to work hard to change their current circumstances.

Whatever you may choose to do, realize that while it may sometimes feel like as a whole society is losing the war against extreme poverty, it is the little battles that count. Call your local out reach programs and enroll you and your family as volunteers. Look for ways to combat homelessness by preventing it. Can assistance be given to poor families in the community? Even helping organize free screenings and dental check ups have been known help families in need. Homelessness is preventable in this day and age; it just takes hard work and persistence from charitable individuals and families.