There’s a lot of financial uncertainty these days, but the reality is that
even though we feel poorer, most of will never experience true poverty. We may not always get or have what we want but
we are blessed with the necessities. If
you want to calm your fears about financial matters, try gaining perspective by
giving to those who have much less. Unfortunately, poverty is not just limited to developing
nations - you don't have to go much further than your own backdoor to find
someone in need. Today, I
am concentrating on ways of helping the poor in the U.S. to rise out of their
poverty with dignity. Every time I travel,
I am struck by the sheer number of homeless people on the streets. And the
numbers are climbing. We find them in
cities, in suburbs, under bridges, in parks, and on vacant industrial property.
They live in tents, plywood and tarp contraptions that defy definition. Some of
the homeless do work. Some have substance-abuse problems. Some suffer from
forms of mental illness. Every one of them wants something the rest of us want
as well: love and understanding.
I was exiting the highway on an off ramp when I saw him. Disheveled and
limping, he plopped a backpack on the median at the intersection, opened a
zipper, and pulled out a sign.
As I drew closer, he unfolded the cardboard and I could read it:
"Why lie?" the sign read. "I want beer."
I was struck by the honesty of the sign . . . and touched by the reality of
this man's plight.
For some, the homeless offer an opportunity for
charity and for self-reflection. Each person living on the streets
has a unique story of why they are homeless.
- Some
are illegal immigrants.
- Some
are veterans.
- Some
are people who found out a low-paying job doesn’t come close to paying for
rent, electricity, food, and medicine.
Low wages is a problem
- With a tent and $20, a homeless man can have shelter
and food for the day, without the hassle of checking into a shelter,
meeting its regulations about substance abuse and having to deal with a
curfew. Either way, he will be no closer to finding a job, a car, an
apartment or health insurance.
- If
he worked 40 hours a week at a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, he would
make $824 a month. The cheapest apartments in our area run about $550 a
month, plus $75 for electricity. That leaves $199 to cover everything
else. If his job is not within walking distance but is on the bus route,
he would spend $4 per day commuting -- that’s another $80 a month. That
leaves roughly $4 per day for food and any other necessities.
Inability to work is a problem
- Unable
to work because of physical disabilities.
- Unable
to work because of mental illnesses.
- Unable
to work because of lacking people skills.
- Unable
to work because of a severe lack of coping skills.
Most government programs and some homeless charities fail to
address all the needs of the homeless. Most areas offer shelters and soup
kitchens for the homeless, but these facilities are in fixed locations, so they
serve limited populations.
Wikipedia
defines Poverty as: The deprivation of common necessities that determine the
quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, and
may also include the deprivation of opportunities to learn, to obtain better
employment to escape poverty, and/or to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.
If we are to look at this definition of poverty, we can work to re-write the
outcomes by not only providing the basics of food and shelter to those in need
but we can provide skills, education, job training, health care,
counseling. If we were to spend more time and money up front, we could
put a stop to the cycle of poverty and homelessness by helping people stand on
their own and be responsible for their own well being rather than relying on
others. Clearly adding a "sense of self and self-worth".
We also need to make sure we have mental health coverage for those in need so
they may pay for proper care and shelter.
As our economy continues to sour, we don't just need temporary housing and
temporary solutions for our citizens, we need intensive programs that cover
whatever a person might need in order to stay in permanent, supportive
housing.
For some, the homeless offer an opportunity for charity
and for self-reflection. Well meaning people can help the homeless by:
- Many
people around here carry small bags of toiletries and non-perishable food,
giving these necessities to the homeless they see at street corners.
- Others
give them Bibles, blankets, or tarps.
- Some give them a kind word.
- Many "adopt" families during the holiday season
to help with food and warm clothing
- There
are groups like Superheroes Anonymous' ….(what a great story)
and many other worth while organizations who help on a temporary basis to
make a HUGE difference in the lives of many and they need to be applauded! or
Sadly, the faces of Poverty in America come in a variety
of forms. In addition to the homeless, today, there are
many hard-working citizens and elderly who are one bad break from being
out on the streets.
Why not reach out to your neighbor and ask them
how you can help, take them an unexpected meal, offer to babysit or help with
home improvements. Sometimes, just the
offer, knowing that someone cares means more than you will ever realize.
Even our children are learning the value of helping others, check out the wonderful things they have done one Club Penguin - Kids Helping Kids
... let's continue to support this type of activity - let your kids
know how much their efforts, no matter how small (pulling weeds for an
elderly neighbor - things they may not have the extra funding for), are
appreciated.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
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