| You see them in every city across America. They are | | | | social services intermittently and for short periods of |
| standing on street corners with signs trying to raise | | | | time |
| money for their next meal. They are sitting in the | | | | The temporary or transitional homeless- those who |
| shadows on the front steps of abandoned buildings. | | | | only experience a short period of time in the homeless |
| They are gathered in groups around a fire in dark | | | | assistance program due to circumstances beyond |
| alleys. They are in lines that stretch many blocks | | | | their control like job loss, natural disasters and other |
| waiting for their next meal at soup kitchens. | | | | catastrophes, illness and medical problems, domestic |
| They are also your former neighbors who have | | | | violence, etc. and usually never return |
| recently gotten evicted and have no place to sleep. | | | | 2. Donate money to national organizations that have |
| They are your coworkers that lost their jobs due to | | | | local chapters. |
| the recession and can no longer make rent payments. | | | | If you would like to make an immediate impact in your |
| They are your friends that have been recently | | | | local area, choose to donate to large national |
| rendered disabled due to unforeseen accidents and | | | | organizations that have smaller local chapters. These |
| are too proud to ask for help. | | | | funds will be allocated accordingly in your area and |
| They all are America's homeless. They all need your | | | | can make a bigger impact. The funds are not spread |
| help. | | | | out across America but are used to help those right in |
| You, like most people, are hesitant to give to the | | | | your neighborhood. |
| homeless on the street because you question if the | | | | 3. Donate more than cash. |
| money will actually go to the next meal they say they | | | | Charities always appreciate the donation of funds |
| are fighting for. You are nervous to approach the | | | | because they know where the money would be most |
| homeless individual because their image presents a | | | | effective. They know each community and their |
| questionable mental state and reputation. | | | | immediate needs. But, if you are short on cash, find |
| You may also be shy to give to charities because with | | | | ways to give your time or surplus supplies that you |
| so many out there asking for donations it can be hard | | | | might otherwise throw out. Organizations that build |
| to be sure that your money is making it into the right | | | | emergency shelters and transitional housing for the |
| hands and actually making a difference. It may seem | | | | temporary homeless often need crews of people to |
| "wrong" to say that some charities are better than | | | | help with builds and building supplies. There are great |
| others when it comes to homelessness but in fact, | | | | ways to help. |
| some are just plain more effective. Do research to | | | | 4. Realize that it is more than putting a roof over the |
| find the most reliable charities and look for | | | | homeless' heads. |
| organizations that can demonstrate they are making a | | | | Look for organizations that not only provide |
| difference. | | | | emergency shelters and transitional housing for those |
| Here are is how you can help those suffering from | | | | suffering from homelessness but also work to help |
| homelessness: | | | | those people get back on their feet and back into |
| 1. Do your homework. | | | | society. Organizations that are committed to helping |
| Understand the difference between the three different | | | | residents move toward self-sufficiency through efforts |
| types of homelessness and which group you would | | | | such as education and job skills training, and physical |
| like to impact: | | | | and emotional support are more effective in |
| The chronic homeless- a single person living with an | | | | permanently keeping people off the street. |
| immobilizing condition that has been continuously | | | | Educate yourself before donating and become |
| homeless for an entire year or more or has been | | | | passionate about the organization that you decide to |
| homeless four times in the last three years | | | | back. Stand behind organizations that are the most |
| The episodically homeless person- a person that uses | | | | effective in getting America's homeless off the streets |
| the homeless assistance system and other health and | | | | and into becoming productive members of society. |