How can we help the homeless that don't seem to want to help themselves?

Answer 1

Start by learning who the homeless really are, why they may be unable to help themselves and do not assume that all are not willing to help themselves.

We beat others to death in this world, with our words, and our attitudes and our total selfishness.

Answer 2

I have thought about this many times since I was homeless for a few months. Luckily this was during the summer, so the beds were not full and I had a place to stay, but in the winter I hear that many get turned away. From my own personal experience, Maybe 10% or less of the homeless people really work hard on changing their circumstances. I remember one really nice girl that was at the shelter when I was there. She was intelligent, well-dressed, and clearly hadn't been on the streets for long. Her problem was that she got into drugs (heroin) and her family finally had enough and kicked her out. A lot of her friends were sick of her because of the drugs, or she had gotten them into trouble or owed them money....basically she burned all of her bridges. I remember talking to her during dinner as if she was the most normal person in the world, then a few hrs later I saw her freaking out in the girl's room because she was going through withdrawal. I think she started to relapse while she was in the shelter and they had strict rules about getting jobs and such and she couldn't hold one. Eventually they asked her to leave and she moved in down the road with some thugs that were probably pimping her out or whatever. It wasn't a good situation for her at all and I felt terrible.

At that point I was working days at subway (6am-2pm) and took night jobs at the baseball stadium selling beer and french fries for extra cash when there were home games. Basically, I didn't want to be at the shelter any longer than I had to and I think that motivated me a lot. I remember these two great girls from the local university that were grad students and volunteed at the shelter and they helped me a lot. Never underestimate how frustrated these people are. Just talking with them can help get their head straight. For me, constant focus on my goal and motivation was the key. Sometimes I just needed an outlet and someone to talk to about it all I used to laugh with them because of this wall outside. The shelter was in the ghetto and there was this wall across the street from the shelter where this half-demolished apt building used to be and all the local thugs and people from the shelter would sit on that wall for hrs instead of working and they would talk and smoke and drink, etc. basically waist their life away as if they had no cares at all. I found that my determination was what got me through. I saw those people and constantly said that I would not end up on that wall, just sitting around, waisting my life away like everyone else.

I think it is difficult to motivate or help these people. Yes, many have drug and mental problems and that is terrible. But this was by far not the majority from my experience. Perhaps people with mental problems sleep on the streets and do not make it to the shelters, I dont know. But the people living in the shelters were usually very lazy, very unmotivated, and very immature people. Some were depressed, some other lived for today and never thought about the consequences of their actions tomorrow. How can you help someone like that? The worst part was the women in the shelter I would see with children still in strollers. That was depressing. I think we need more shelters specifically for them. From what I saw, the shelters are often geared towards individuals and not families. I really haven't found a way to help these people. I got a job within days, which I didn't think was all that amazing since it was only subway making sandwiches.....they will hire anyone, right? But apparently getting a job, even fast food, within a week or two is far from the norm in shelters. Even when they are homeless some of these people are not in "desperation mode" yet. They will quit 6 jobs in a month while they are homeless. If you can find an answer to your question that fits every homeless person, then you've really accomplished something. But the best thing I have found is just to always keep the door open for them and hope they mature. People change, and if they are going to be lazy or a jerk today, that doesn't mean they won't be willing to give it their all in 6 months or a year. Something just has to click with them to get them really motivated, and sometimes that comes too late to save them.

Answer 3

Change the laws that allow them to refuse medical services. Many suffer from mental health issues including drug abuse, alcoholism and child abuse. I am sure there is good reason for the laws that exist, but does this apply to individuals who are seemingly unable to make a sound decision regarding there own welfare. When does the government have a right to step in and how much money will it cost the tax payers. Out of sight, out of mind.

Answer 4

It's impossible to help anyone who doesn't want to help themselves.

Answer 5

Change the causes, don't address the symptoms.

Answer 6

we just love them right where they are-just like we would want someone to do if circumstances put us in that situation.