In the UK there is a magazine called 'The Big Issue'. Homeless people who want to make a start in getting out of there current situation can buy it and sell it on for a profit. They have to be 'badged' in order to sell it, and are given a place to sell it. Anyone curious can google 'The Big Issue' and find out more about it. I also know this idea is not just local to my country, and may be given different names.
There is a guy who sells this paper outside my local shop. Initially I felt very uncomfortable about talking with him. Who was he? What was he doing there? However, over the course of time I have stopped to chat, and have found out that he was seriously involved with drugs at one point in his life. Now he is clean, has a place to stay and is a keen biker. And now we have a good chat everyday.
Recently there was a huge biker meet in a nearby town, and I went with a friend for a stroll around and hopefully to buy my youngest son a gift, as he is now a keen biker (much against my wishes, it's unsafe and he is my baby! ). To my surprise I was called over and there was the 'Big Issue' seller. He looked quite embarrassed to have called me over, as though I would be embarrassed to speak to him or something. But I wasn't, and we had a lovely chat and met some lovely people (one guy looked like Gene Simmons from Kiss which really freaked me out lol).
Anyhow, I think my point is, don't walk past homeless people. Sometimes you're in a rush, but if you aren't, stop and say hello.
No-one asks to be homeless. No-one asks to be an addict. No small child when asked what they want to be when they grow up, says "I want to be a homeless drug addict" and then strives to achieve that . Stuff happens. People find themselves in terrible situations.
Say hello, give someone a sandwich or a coffee. Buy an extra burger and give it to them.
Be kind.
There is a guy who sells this paper outside my local shop. Initially I felt very uncomfortable about talking with him. Who was he? What was he doing there? However, over the course of time I have stopped to chat, and have found out that he was seriously involved with drugs at one point in his life. Now he is clean, has a place to stay and is a keen biker. And now we have a good chat everyday.
Recently there was a huge biker meet in a nearby town, and I went with a friend for a stroll around and hopefully to buy my youngest son a gift, as he is now a keen biker (much against my wishes, it's unsafe and he is my baby! ). To my surprise I was called over and there was the 'Big Issue' seller. He looked quite embarrassed to have called me over, as though I would be embarrassed to speak to him or something. But I wasn't, and we had a lovely chat and met some lovely people (one guy looked like Gene Simmons from Kiss which really freaked me out lol).
Anyhow, I think my point is, don't walk past homeless people. Sometimes you're in a rush, but if you aren't, stop and say hello.
No-one asks to be homeless. No-one asks to be an addict. No small child when asked what they want to be when they grow up, says "I want to be a homeless drug addict" and then strives to achieve that . Stuff happens. People find themselves in terrible situations.
Say hello, give someone a sandwich or a coffee. Buy an extra burger and give it to them.
Be kind.