Homelessness challenges us in many ways. While it is an ongoing problem, some people are finding ways to help.
For example, our local news showed some amazing people who are helping the homeless in the Dallas area. Their effort is called, “Streetside Showers.” This small nonprofit group makes free baths available three to four times per week to the homeless community. Their special trailer has rooms with showers, commodes, lavatories, and hygiene supplies. This has proven to be very helpful (www. assistanceleague.org/dallas/streetside- showers).
This organization provides socks, underwear, and clean clothing in a room where homeless persons can change. The trailer also has a washing machine and clothes dryer. In addition to this being an act of compassion, it is an important service for people who want to find a job.
I am not so naïve as to think we can help every homeless person. Some have serious psychological problems. Those with claustrophobia feel they must stay outdoors. Others have addictions and a history of criminal behaviors. But not every homeless person is like that.
In this news report I mentioned, a woman was interviewed who was unable to pay the increased amount of her rent and utilities. Because of that, she became homeless and lives in her car. She has a job but described how difficult it was to clean her clothing and be clean herself, while homeless. It was eye-opening for those of us who have never found ourselves in such a dilemma. Can we imagine ourselves in her situation?
The same day as that news report about Street Showers, I read a Facebook message from Carrie Gosnell, who is Assistant Principal of Durant Intermediate School in Durant, Oklahoma. She was my principal when I retired from teaching and remains a dear friend to me and my wife.
Here is what Mrs. Gosnell wrote. “Some of you recently helped me help a friend in need, single mom of 2, former Durant family. You helped her and the boys make it until she gets paid from her new job she just started AND gave her a break from her current living situation, which is all she had because they are homeless. Having to live with family that isn’t a good situation happens a lot and I’m thankful she saw she needed to get away from it for the good of her boys who have their own struggles.
“Amazing what hope that a couple of nights at a hotel and grocery/gas money can bring. I still have her Venmo info if you want to help. Just text or pm me. It’s a good thing to remind people we, as educators, love them and care about them. It is a good thing to help others and show kindness. I believe if I can show love to people it carries forward to future teachers and school staff. ‘If Mrs. Gosnell cared for me that much, then maybe this teacher or Assistant Principal cares for me that much.’” We see news items on a regular basis about efforts to rid cities of the homeless living on the streets and under overpass bridges. Yes, it is disturbing to see those. In some instances, communities take drastic measures. In Washington, D.C., heavy equipment scooped up the tents, sleeping bags, and meager belongings of their homeless folks. That was all hauled to the city dump.
I thought, “Those items are the personal belongs of those poor people. They are being stolen from them! These were their only possessions.” Can we put ourselves in their situation?
The city where I live has signs where day laborers tend to gather while waiting for someone to hire them. “No Standing or Sitting,” those signs say. The City of McKinney, Texas, passed an ordinance making it a violation for anyone to sit or lie down on the sidewalks. No outside sitting is allowed except on benches provided by the city or businesses.
None of us enjoys seeing garbage and trash littering our cities. Nobody is pleased to see people standing at intersections with crudely lettered signs saying, “Please help. Homeless,” and other appeals. Yes, it is distracting to observe ragged folks sleeping along the roadway. But rather than feeling repulsion, can we feel empathy?
I remember an illustration that told of a person walking along the beach, picking up starfish that had washed onto the shore, and putting them back into the water. Someone said, “There are millions of starfish along these beaches. You can’t save them all.” The man replied, as he tossed one back into the water, “I saved that one, and it certainly made a big difference for it.”
Let us never become so callous that we lose our sense of compassion. Can we be like Mrs. Gosnell? We cannot help them all, but we can help the one nearest us.