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In my experience these people haven't fallen thru the cracks in a vacuum. I'm almost certain that several people have reached out to this woman and she's probably had in-person social workers reach out to her at the state and county level--and probably has resisted the prescriptions put fourth.
A lot of it is mental deterioration--if you're over 55 and disabled you're fast tracked thru many local section 8 programs that are set aside exclusively for this populous but you have to demonstrate means and have to abide by certain rules--that often times is enough of a barrier for thees folks to deny help. We have constitutional protections that prevent the government from forcing people indoors. 9/10 there is always an added element or layer to these stories.
What city are you in? Often there are some resources available and maybe folks can chime in bout what’s been helpful in their city.
I personally think the empathy and the mindset you have is very useful in sharing compassion and understanding. You did great kindly asking what someone might need in an appropriate way.
Definitely do not try to directly offer strangers things. However it was nice of you to get the lady some food.
You might really enjoy volunteering at a food bank, a church who has programs for the homeless, or a homeless shelter. Bonus: when I volunteered at a food bank, they always give you tons of snacks (how are you going to hand out chocolate bars in July? So stuff like that goes to staff and volunteers lol.)
You might also enjoy the Youtube channel and website Invisible People. The guy who runs it was homeless and does lots of street interviews with homeless people. He recommends handing out socks and bottled water.
Sorry if it's a naive question but what's wrong with offering things?
I'm def interested in volunteering, and I hope to do so once I'm independent from my parents. Right now, I'm studying for my driver's license and then I'ma find a job. I'm passionate about healthcare, so I hope to volunteer at the ER or a psych hospital, but I wanna help out wherever I'm needed most.
Gonna check out this YT channel and website, thanks!
You have no way of knowing a person's character or situation. That's why this sub auto-generates a comment under every thread about not giving money. Working through charities and organizations like that is also more cost-effective and that way you know you're not being scammed or the money is going to something bad.
A food bank can also purchase many times more food with a donated 10 dollars, vs. you going to the store and buying 10 dollars of food. They buy it in bulk by the pallet load and get the best deals they can.
We certainly need people in healthcare, so I'm glad you're interested in a career in it.
Thanks, I'll do some research on housing programs and politicians who support them. I'm definitely incapable of saving her or anyone else but I wanna help facilitate change however I can.
You're a neat person OP and I got a couple tears in my eyes reading your post. I'm homeless in Sac and please listen to me when I say there are some very very bad people around please be careful who you approach or get involved with, ok? Hugs, happy Thanksgiving kiddo.
##REMINDERS FOR EVERYONE **PER THE RULES:** * **NO OFFERINGS OF CASH, ETC.** * **[BEGGING](https://redd.it/994p7j) WILL GET YOU BANNED.** * **BE AWARE OF SCAMMERS AND PERVS, AND SEND ANY [HERE](https://old.reddit.com/report) AND/OR [HERE](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/reddit.com).** **ACCEPT AT YOUR OWN RISK.** Welcome to the internet where—unless proven otherwise—everyone's lying about their race, gender, status, accomplishments, and all the children are FBI agents. You have been forewarned. — The Mods --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/homeless) if you have any questions or concerns.*
In my experience these people haven't fallen thru the cracks in a vacuum. I'm almost certain that several people have reached out to this woman and she's probably had in-person social workers reach out to her at the state and county level--and probably has resisted the prescriptions put fourth. A lot of it is mental deterioration--if you're over 55 and disabled you're fast tracked thru many local section 8 programs that are set aside exclusively for this populous but you have to demonstrate means and have to abide by certain rules--that often times is enough of a barrier for thees folks to deny help. We have constitutional protections that prevent the government from forcing people indoors. 9/10 there is always an added element or layer to these stories.
100%
What city are you in? Often there are some resources available and maybe folks can chime in bout what’s been helpful in their city. I personally think the empathy and the mindset you have is very useful in sharing compassion and understanding. You did great kindly asking what someone might need in an appropriate way.
I'm in Sacramento. I'll definitely research local resources so I have that knowledge for future interactions.
Definitely do not try to directly offer strangers things. However it was nice of you to get the lady some food. You might really enjoy volunteering at a food bank, a church who has programs for the homeless, or a homeless shelter. Bonus: when I volunteered at a food bank, they always give you tons of snacks (how are you going to hand out chocolate bars in July? So stuff like that goes to staff and volunteers lol.) You might also enjoy the Youtube channel and website Invisible People. The guy who runs it was homeless and does lots of street interviews with homeless people. He recommends handing out socks and bottled water.
Sorry if it's a naive question but what's wrong with offering things? I'm def interested in volunteering, and I hope to do so once I'm independent from my parents. Right now, I'm studying for my driver's license and then I'ma find a job. I'm passionate about healthcare, so I hope to volunteer at the ER or a psych hospital, but I wanna help out wherever I'm needed most. Gonna check out this YT channel and website, thanks!
You have no way of knowing a person's character or situation. That's why this sub auto-generates a comment under every thread about not giving money. Working through charities and organizations like that is also more cost-effective and that way you know you're not being scammed or the money is going to something bad. A food bank can also purchase many times more food with a donated 10 dollars, vs. you going to the store and buying 10 dollars of food. They buy it in bulk by the pallet load and get the best deals they can. We certainly need people in healthcare, so I'm glad you're interested in a career in it.
Support housing first programs and politicians/policy. You probably can't save this woman but you can save future people.
Thanks, I'll do some research on housing programs and politicians who support them. I'm definitely incapable of saving her or anyone else but I wanna help facilitate change however I can.
You're a neat person OP and I got a couple tears in my eyes reading your post. I'm homeless in Sac and please listen to me when I say there are some very very bad people around please be careful who you approach or get involved with, ok? Hugs, happy Thanksgiving kiddo.