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Community Outreach

Help and Hope for the Homeless

Who Are We Trying to Help?

Homelessness comes in many forms, from the family who's temporarily "on the street" because their apartment building burned down, to the child whose only responsible parent was just put in jail leaving her abandoned without family help and supervision; or the emotionally disturbed adult whose depression, agitation, and confusion has affected his getting or maintaining housing. And the middle-class homeless, "poor family" without enough financial means or security (due to joblessness, over-indebtedness, or divorce) to afford housing but perhaps not in bad enough straits to qualify for government assistance. And the runaways and the walkaways… and the list goes on.

What Are Their Needs?

Many times the people we are trying to help may have multiple, pressing needs. The homeless person may have already exhausted a long list of people and agencies for help and may, in effect, have "worn out his welcome." A person may need many kinds of help: food, shelter, clothing, furnishings, medical attention, emotional and spiritual support, and advocacy.

How Can I Help?

Familiarize yourself with where the homeless people are in your community and with the available sources of help (both Christian and secular).

Provide "Emergency Bags of Love" for local ministries including the basic necessities for homeless people. For example, a "Baby Bag" could include diapers, formula, baby cereal, blanket, sleeper, socks, and two toys; a "Kid's Bag" could include a sweat suit or jogging outfit, underwear, three small toys or games, blanket, snacks, and juice. Package, label, and store the bags to distribute to homeless persons or families.

Provide emergency shelters with sleeping bags for children. A sleeping bag is more secure than a cot, and can be easily transported.

Make up cards with emergency information and referrals. Experts find that some homeless lack basic information about resources.

Make a special effort to provide food and housing at the end of the month when, frequently, people on public assistance find their resources depleted.

Support local ministries that help the homeless with prayer, work, and finances.

Answer with a resounding "yes" if the Lord calls you to a specific ministry to the homeless!