Common Responses to Homelessness
Get a Job!...
• Some homeless people, an estimated 25%, already have jobs.
• The bigger issue is the availability of affordable housing.
• Take as an example George who has been on the streets since he was 9. He is currently 34, working a job, trying to get off the streets.
• It is hard to keep a job with no place to shower and no one to take care of your children.
• Mental illness and drug addictions prevent well-being and the ability to hold down a job
• People like Brian deal with a lot of loneliness because of family rejection. Brian recently relocated to a new area and shelter. He has a job and goals of having his own apartment. But without friendships and connections, will he have the motivation to continue on the discouraging days?
• The bigger issue is the availability of affordable housing.
• Take as an example George who has been on the streets since he was 9. He is currently 34, working a job, trying to get off the streets.
• It is hard to keep a job with no place to shower and no one to take care of your children.
• Mental illness and drug addictions prevent well-being and the ability to hold down a job
• People like Brian deal with a lot of loneliness because of family rejection. Brian recently relocated to a new area and shelter. He has a job and goals of having his own apartment. But without friendships and connections, will he have the motivation to continue on the discouraging days?
What if they use my money for drugs?…
• Not all homeless people do drugs. There are people like Dan and Ben and Valerie who have not bought into this lifestyle.
• Offering food is always a good move and can go a long way.
• Offering food is always a good move and can go a long way.
But there are some people that want to be homeless...
• It is true that there are those who choose to live homeless. Ben and Valerie have been homeless for twenty years and have chosen to live in a tent in the woods with their 5 dogs. They live on disability and buy their food/supplies from a nearby gas station.
• Just because someone chooses to be homeless does not give us the right to devalue their humanity or ignore their needs.
• Many people are on the street because of domestic violence, health problems, natural disasters, and other circumstances that are outside of their control.
• Just because someone chooses to be homeless does not give us the right to devalue their humanity or ignore their needs.
• Many people are on the street because of domestic violence, health problems, natural disasters, and other circumstances that are outside of their control.
Homeless people are smelly…
• Many homeless people do not have the opportunities or resources to shower or practice basic hygiene
• Homeless people are human beings that deserve to be treated with respect. They too, bear the image of God. How would Jesus relate to them? Would he let the discomfort get in his way?
• Pastor Leon (the pastor of the outdoor SOUL church) believes everyone deserves to be loved. These are human beings that need hugs. He expresses this through his catchphrase, “Get some on ya!”
• Homeless people are human beings that deserve to be treated with respect. They too, bear the image of God. How would Jesus relate to them? Would he let the discomfort get in his way?
• Pastor Leon (the pastor of the outdoor SOUL church) believes everyone deserves to be loved. These are human beings that need hugs. He expresses this through his catchphrase, “Get some on ya!”
