Even If It’s Just a Little Change
While working on our project, we met many homeless people who have been helped by others. We were moved by the warm-hearted people who helped without asking for anything in return. We believe that most of people are willing to offer help when they see the homeless but are unsure of how they can help. Our project not only brings attention to the housing problem during severe weather, but also appeals to people to do whatever they can to help the homeless.
When thinking of how to help the homeless, food seems to be the first thing that comes to mind. What other resources will be helpful beyond food? During summer heat, a devastating hurricane or a cold winter night the homeless need more than food to survive. After interviewing volunteers and members of the homeless community, we got a glimpse of what would help them most.
Something we take for granted is the ability to change our clothes. For people without a home, access to a closet or a washing machine is not an option. Something as simple as a package of new undergarments from Walmart would be incredibly helpful. Mario, who volunteers at Church has helped the homeless for years. He believes that clean undergarments will give them a sense of respect. “They are also human beings," Mario said. "We need to treat them as such.”
Cheryl, who squatted in a building for a couple of months explained the value a public shower facility would have within the homeless community. “There is no place where you can just take a shower," she said. She was not alone in this. Other homeless people in the city also mentioned what a difference a shower a day would make. Grace Marketplace and St. Francis House do provide shower facilities however, if you are not living in either of those communities, you do not have access to them. Even with those two organizations operating at full capacity, there is not enough space to accommodate the entire homeless population in Gainesville.
During cold nights, blankets and sleeping bags would help the homeless who live outdoors. Since sleeping bags are mostly waterproof, they are most helpful after a hurricane or during a rainy day in Gainesville. Leon Scott, one of the employees at Grace Marketplace, described their lack of resources. “We open the cold night shelters but sometimes we don’t have enough blankets and sleeping bags to provide," he said.
Buying a homeless person food or giving them a couple of dollars could help them stay away from hunger, but what can we do as a society to help them beyond that?
While working on our project, we met many homeless people who have been helped by others. We were moved by the warm-hearted people who helped without asking for anything in return. We believe that most of people are willing to offer help when they see the homeless but are unsure of how they can help. Our project not only brings attention to the housing problem during severe weather, but also appeals to people to do whatever they can to help the homeless.
When thinking of how to help the homeless, food seems to be the first thing that comes to mind. What other resources will be helpful beyond food? During summer heat, a devastating hurricane or a cold winter night the homeless need more than food to survive. After interviewing volunteers and members of the homeless community, we got a glimpse of what would help them most.
Something we take for granted is the ability to change our clothes. For people without a home, access to a closet or a washing machine is not an option. Something as simple as a package of new undergarments from Walmart would be incredibly helpful. Mario, who volunteers at Church has helped the homeless for years. He believes that clean undergarments will give them a sense of respect. “They are also human beings," Mario said. "We need to treat them as such.”
Cheryl, who squatted in a building for a couple of months explained the value a public shower facility would have within the homeless community. “There is no place where you can just take a shower," she said. She was not alone in this. Other homeless people in the city also mentioned what a difference a shower a day would make. Grace Marketplace and St. Francis House do provide shower facilities however, if you are not living in either of those communities, you do not have access to them. Even with those two organizations operating at full capacity, there is not enough space to accommodate the entire homeless population in Gainesville.
During cold nights, blankets and sleeping bags would help the homeless who live outdoors. Since sleeping bags are mostly waterproof, they are most helpful after a hurricane or during a rainy day in Gainesville. Leon Scott, one of the employees at Grace Marketplace, described their lack of resources. “We open the cold night shelters but sometimes we don’t have enough blankets and sleeping bags to provide," he said.
Buying a homeless person food or giving them a couple of dollars could help them stay away from hunger, but what can we do as a society to help them beyond that?
Don't Turn a Blind Eye
When you see homeless people, don’t turn away. Most of cities in the U.S have city-specific hotlines to call to report a person that needs help on the street and connect you to homeless outreach teams.
Alachua County Hotline: (866) 288-4312
Be Ready to Help Today.
Give homeless people what they need most instead of simply giving cash. Sometimes, the homeless just need help to get through the day. We can help them by giving them something to eat. Carry gift cards from fast food or grocery store chains in your wallet and hand them out. Besides food, a small bottle of water helps prevent dehydration, a common health concern for the homeless community.
Provide Information
Offer homeless people information about housing, weather warnings, protective items or homeless services, such as pointing them in the direction of an emergency shelter. Tell homeless if there is a hurricane or storm coming soon because extreme weather always deepens the cycle of homelessness.
Donate
Call your local homeless shelters to find out what items are needed. These items are most needed: quilts and blankets, light-colored t-shirts and pants, winter gloves and scarfs, knit hats, winter boots and waterproof boots, sleeping bags and tents, luggage cases, daily supplies (towel, toothbrush, shampoo, lotion or sunscreen). Check in your closet for simple winter gear that you are not using anymore or that you don’t use that often and give it away.
GRACE Marketplace
Website: http://gracemarketplace.org
Phone Number: (352) 792-0800
Wishlist: http://gracemarketplace.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/06-GRACE-Wish-List.pdf
St. Francis House
Website: www.stfrancishousegnv.org
Phone Number: (352) 378-9079
Always Show Respect
When people ask the homeless what they need, they are thinking about objects, things like hats, sock and gloves or any other things used in every day life. These objects make a difference but what will make the most impact is kindness. We should always show respect to every person we come in contact with. Treat homeless people with kindness and understanding. Learn about the different paths that lead to homelessness. Every person living on the streets has his or her own story.
When you see homeless people, don’t turn away. Most of cities in the U.S have city-specific hotlines to call to report a person that needs help on the street and connect you to homeless outreach teams.
Alachua County Hotline: (866) 288-4312
Be Ready to Help Today.
Give homeless people what they need most instead of simply giving cash. Sometimes, the homeless just need help to get through the day. We can help them by giving them something to eat. Carry gift cards from fast food or grocery store chains in your wallet and hand them out. Besides food, a small bottle of water helps prevent dehydration, a common health concern for the homeless community.
Provide Information
Offer homeless people information about housing, weather warnings, protective items or homeless services, such as pointing them in the direction of an emergency shelter. Tell homeless if there is a hurricane or storm coming soon because extreme weather always deepens the cycle of homelessness.
Donate
Call your local homeless shelters to find out what items are needed. These items are most needed: quilts and blankets, light-colored t-shirts and pants, winter gloves and scarfs, knit hats, winter boots and waterproof boots, sleeping bags and tents, luggage cases, daily supplies (towel, toothbrush, shampoo, lotion or sunscreen). Check in your closet for simple winter gear that you are not using anymore or that you don’t use that often and give it away.
GRACE Marketplace
Website: http://gracemarketplace.org
Phone Number: (352) 792-0800
Wishlist: http://gracemarketplace.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/06-GRACE-Wish-List.pdf
St. Francis House
Website: www.stfrancishousegnv.org
Phone Number: (352) 378-9079
Always Show Respect
When people ask the homeless what they need, they are thinking about objects, things like hats, sock and gloves or any other things used in every day life. These objects make a difference but what will make the most impact is kindness. We should always show respect to every person we come in contact with. Treat homeless people with kindness and understanding. Learn about the different paths that lead to homelessness. Every person living on the streets has his or her own story.