What comes to mind when you hear the word home? Shelter, a place you find comfort in, a place that is safe, a place where you can sleep, spend time in and go to when you are tired. However, having a home is not a privilege for so many people. In California in every 10000 there are 41 homeless people. This means so many people do not have a shelter of their own, so many people are living on streets without having the comfort of living under their own roof.
As a volunteer in California there are ways you can help someone find a home in California. There are examples you can take from people in other countries too. If you happen to be roaming the streets of Bangsar, Klang or Kota Kemuning in Malaysia, you will see a few homeless people walking around. In Malaysia the people help the homeless by opening up Instagram pages, getting influencers to help out and donate to the ones who are in need.
Here are a few other ways you can help someone find a home in California:
Donating Clothes
When it comes to giving away clothes to the homeless people usually think of giving away worn out clothes but instead it would be better to give clothes that are still in good shape, clothes that are rarely worn. This way homeless people would get clothes that would last longer. Think of practicality while donating, what season is it? what would they need more? Essentials like shoes, socks and pants should be made priority. If you wish to buy new clothes, that’s even better too and undergarments should be new ones, please don’t give away used undergarments as it is unsanitary.
Diaper/Milk Drive
Homeless people may include single parents and families with young babies. The most important thing a parent would need are diapers and milk for their young babies. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be for the parents to see their kids without enough diapers and milk. Hosting a diaper and/or milk drive would encourage people to come forward and donate diapers and milk. This way a whole community would be able to help out the homeless.
Reach Out To Shelters
Sometimes homeless people may not know where to find shelter. As a volunteer you can go to a shelter and help them promote their place to homeless people. Take a drive and look out for homeless people you might see and get them to come to the shelter. If you have enough resources you can rent a bus and pick up as many homeless people possible and drop them off at the shelter. Be sure to be kind and gentle while communicating and encourage them to get on board.
Shopping Cards
Instead of just giving out money, reload a certain amount into a grocery store card or clothing store card and hand it to the homeless people. They would know what they need more and they will be able to happily choose the items they require based on their current needs. Just upload the amount you wish to donate on the card and pass it to those who need them.
Temporary Adoption
Adopting a homeless person, especially the eldery, sick and young would make their lives so much easier. If you have the means and you are capable you can try adopting a homeless person until they are able to find a shelter. However, when adopting be sure that you truly are able to care for them, if you don’t have a proper space for them try referring them to someone else.
As a volunteer there are so many things you will have to endure, hopefully this list makes it easier for you to narrow down on ways to help the homeless. There are also different methods of helping people based on their situations such as natural disaster victims, sick and elderly, sexual assault victims and more. It is always best to know more about the people you are helping out so that you would be able to be well prepared.
