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Should You Ever Hand a Homeless Person Money?

 

Should You Give a Homeless Person Money?

Photo Credit: guy2men - stock.adobe.com

If you are at all like the authors of this blog post, your heart breaks when you see someone braving traffic just to beg a few meager dollars from indifferent passersby. You may have reached for your wallet but stopped when you remembered that old refrain, which we shall not repeat here. But is there any truth to it? This blog post will examine whether you should ever hand a homeless person money on the streets of New York City. 

Is It Wrong to Give Money to a Homeless Person? 

According to one school of thought, which includes the late Pope Francis, it is not wrong to give homeless people money directly and it is none of our business how it is spent. To give the other argument some credit, it is true that around 38 percent of homeless people abuse alcohol and approximately 26 percent abuse other substances. [1] These illnesses may not be readily apparent. However, the overwhelming majority of this population, which includes thousands of families, is just trying to afford their basic necessities. Therefore, a few dollars could improve their chances not just of daily survival but set them on the path to recovery. 

Giving the same amount of money to an organization that works with the homeless, conducts research and performs other functions may maximize your impact with a larger group of people. Nonetheless, we should stress that, under the proper circumstances, both options can be effective. 

Does Giving a Homeless Person Money Help Them? 

Whether you give directly to one individual or to a charitable organization, we advise you to exercise discretion and situational awareness. If you donate to an organization, you should conduct some research beforehand to ensure they are spending the money in the most efficient manner. Likewise, before you give a homeless person money, you should, if the circumstances warrant it, first affirm their humanity and determine, to the best of your ability, their immediate needs by striking up a conversation. If you feel comfortable doing so and trust your instincts, you shouldn’t feel guilty about giving another person a little financial help, especially if you’re coming from a place of love. 

Is Donating Money Enough to Help the Homeless?

Regardless of where you send your money, it’s just as important to establish human connections with the recipients of your generosity. For example, after donating to a soup kitchen, you might consider volunteering there. Your presence is just as valuable as your presents. A friendly smile and a kind word can make a huge difference. 

If you want to help this population, or need help yourself, look no further than Mentor A Promise and its network of partner organizations. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness. 

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