helping the homeless a waste of time? why help those who WONT help themselves?

Answer 1

Helping others is never a waste of time.

Answer 2

You're ignoring the fact that A LOT of homeless people are mentally disabled or have tried to help themselves, but people who do have the opportunity choose to overlook them. Some do refuse to help themselves, but you are making a generalzation about all homeless people that is categorically untrue. Have you ever had a conversation with a homeless person? Have you ever tried to do your part to give those who desperately want a second chance the opportunity to have one? I think if you were to step outside of the negative attitude you have that you would find that most of the homeless really do not fit the stereotype your putting them in. Have a heart and look beyond.

Namaste

Answer 3

Homeless people aren't always homeless because they "won't" help themselves. Things happen to good people. But your question is valid and I do think there are those in such a position that don't do anything to better their own situation.

But for those of us in a position to help then I believe we should do whatever we can. Rather it is a charitable donation or to actually provide some community service to assist them on a more personal level.

I see homeless folks all the time on the streets where I live. I have given them money, blankets and bought them lunch. Sure some were obviously in dier straights and others where shaking alcoholics asking for change outside Wal Mart. I gave anyway.

Recently a Mother and her daughter asked me to stay at my home for 3 days? I fed them, gave them the use of my guest house, paid small bills for the Mother to get her car out of impound, and I thought that would be the end of it? It turned into 5 weeks of "loan me $20, I'm sick, my daughter is sick, we have nowhere to go, ....."

So I think my charity will be on a "donation" basis only for now on. I know there are families that need help sometimes. And my reasoning is "what if it was me?"

So I will always help............

Answer 4

You tell me...Here's the story...I lost my job. I used my savings to pay the rent, the bills, and buy food while looking for another job. Many jobs require experience which I don't have. After weeks of hunting, I am evicted for non-payment of rent. My furniture and other things are locked up so the landlord can sell them to offset what I owe in rent. I pack what clothes I can carry and set off... Where?

Now I'm stuck. There are shelters but you can only stay in them for short periods of time. And unfortunately, if I leave my bag while I go out to hunt for work, people steal my clothes.

I bought some soap and shampoo but the person next to me kicked the bottles over and stepped on them. Now I don't have any way to wash myself or my hair. I am down to my last few dollars which I need for bus fare in my never ending search for work.

That's part of the story...how do you suggest I rent a place to live? How do I wash my clothing so I can go on a job interview? Where do I find cheap food that will not make me sick?

There are as many reasons for being homeless as there are homeless people. Not all of them are drunks or drug users or child abusers. Divorced dads get caught in this endless cycle. So do single moms.

Now which one of them do you want to turn your back on? You who are living in your parents house and don't have to worry about lights, water, food, clean clothes, or any of the other things you spoiled kids take for granted.

Answer 5

Hold it ! Most of these people are on the street because of different circumstances. Many are just trying to get back up again. But most are people who are mentally disabled and with budget cuts in most hospitals, there's no other solution except to turn them loose on the street.
Helping your fellow man is never a waste of time.

Answer 6

Well here in Canada,you have to have an address to be in reciept of welfare. So there are obstacles, however, most of the homeless I know, ended up having a place to live in the end.

Answer 7

sometimes homeless people really cant work. i dont think that giving them a few spare dimes is a waste of time.

Answer 8

It is true that some don’t want to help themselves. They prefer to stay homeless. There are some that become homeless because they had no more options, many people that were criminals and couldn't find legal work and wouldn't stoop to do illegal work. For some their pride makes them not want to ask for help. The sad part is when they pull their family into it. I have watched many homeless walk the neighbor hoods and many talk to themselves. Some are mentally incapable to live stable and some of those have already been thru a system that failed them. Some want help, but ran out of options. Some states ask for info that people cant get as easy as people think. A new ssn# and a copy of a birth certificate cost money. Some can’t get their birth certificate because it’s out of the state they are in or they could have been born at a time that hospitals didn't keep good records. Now there is what is called career homeless. They prefer that with a life of pan handling and actually make more money than some on minimum wage. Those I wish were caught. Those should give money to the places they have lived in for free (homeless shelters) the problems is that we need to find those who are really in need and weed out those who are doing wrong. If we could help those who can get what they need to start a better life. That would remove a homeless lifestyle. But if they don’t want the help you give in the way you give it. Then they are not really caring (example someone who says homeless and hungry= you give the person food and he throws it over his shoulder when he thinks you are not looking) then there are the truly hungry who take the money given and buy food at the local wal-mart(I have actually seen those types) I have seen a family, especially the wife with a sign asking for money, while the husband and children are in a car. This couple looked healthy enough to work, but choose laziness. I have seen this family 3 years in a row. One thing is look closer to how they act, what they carry and how they gather. If they are in a rotating group or if they have been in the same location, day after day. One man I have seen as homeless for almost 10 years. He talks to himself and he has been traveling all over the city, but he doesn't beg and he doesn't cause trouble, but everyone knows he is homeless and some try to help him when they can. Sort of a gentle giant to us. Then there is a women who acts homeless and is sorta dumb, asking for money in the same area, giving different stories of homeless to people she has asked before, but people have caught on. So you see different people live different homeless lives. Its up to us to know what to do around theses types and to help those who really truly want it and really truly ask the right questions on why are they homeless how can they help themselves improve and the kindness of the heart from people willing to listen.

You are probably wondering why I know and look at this. My family is considered poor. We fight to avoid living like homeless people. I have a home, husband has a job, but simple living is hard. My goal is to help poor and low-income people to get the help they need weather that same help can help me. I don’t give up on them because they didn't know what I know. Some just don’t know who to ask, where to ask that’s why I don’t give up on them. What I hate most is that the USA only cares when holidays come around to help them. People only care when they want to spread the word of Christ as their main goal. People only care when it affects their neighborhood or their own money. People give only when they get something in return. Homeless are all year around. I am a Christian I pray for the poor and the homeless and the mentally challenged. I can't correct or even fully help a homeless person, because I have enough trouble taking care of my own, but I don’t ignore their problems. We learn the who, what, where, when why and how of our own life, each person has their own story, its up to us to see how to work on it to help them. Because for each one there could have been a disaster that caused it, a life altering even that affected it. (Ask yourself this, how many Katrina victims currently getting shafted are homeless; our own government is that cause. Many are lost on the options they hit walls and they also need help out of this too)

Answer 9

Because a little love goes a long way to making a better society for all.

Answer 10

I know what you mean. I am in total sympathy with your statement. It seems like a waste of time, but then again, I can't stand to see anyone even lazy people hungry or cold, or sick.
It is the human factor I guess.