What the Public Can Do to Help the Homeless

VOLUNTEER

 

  • Work directly with people experiencing homelessness.  Shelters need help in a variety of areas: answering phones, typing, filing, preparing and serving food, distributing clothes.
  • Help build or fix up houses or shelters through Habitat for Humanity.  www.habitat.org

 

ADVOCATE

 

  • Work with people experiencing homelessness to bring about changes in policy on local, state and federal levels. 
  • Change your language and behaviors in small ways that may contribute to larger changes in the way the homeless are viewed and treated.
  • Get connected to a coalition.  www.nationalhomeless.org/state
  • Educate leaders.
  • Involve the media.

 

CONTRIBUTE

 

  • Donate to a food bank.
  • Material assistance is a necessity.  Needed items might include:  clothing, household goods, books, computers, toiletries.
  • Raise funds for a program.

 

EDUCATE

  • Continue to educate yourself, your family, and your community.  The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) website (www.nationalhomeless.org) is updated regularly and contains information on activities as well as links to many other sites.
  • Take advantage of teachable moments.