Mentor A Promise

  Photo Credit: miss irine -stock.adobe.com Thanks to countless movies and TV shows, we have all seen the stereotypical image of those experiencing homelessness. However, in many instances, that image is a myth. This blog post will discuss why homeless New Yorkers are not “dirty,” how they maintain their appearances and why you should not stigmatize them.  Do Homeless New Yorkers Observe Proper Hygiene? This may surprise some folks, but not all homeless people in New York City sleep outside, in tents or in condemned buildings. Many live doubled, tripled or quadrupled up in facilities they can’t rightly call their own or in well maintained shelters.  In a previous blog post , we discussed the rising trend of those who lack permanent housing and still have to work full-time and/or part-time jobs. In order to interview for, obtain and keep gainful employment, one absolutely must bathe regularly and dress appropriately.  How Do Homeless New Yorkers Stay Clean? Many homel...

  Photo Credit: New Africa - stock.adobe.com Some of those reading this blog post might have been the recipients of hand-me-downs passed along from older siblings who’d outgrown them. While there is nothing wrong with frugality, giving a child clothes that are ill-fitting, uncomfortable, warped, stained or clearly used can negatively affect said child’s self-esteem and their social standing. Indeed, this is one of the ways in which homeless individuals stand out from their peers. This blog post will discuss whether good, clean clothes can help the homeless in New York City.  Do Homeless New Yorkers Benefit from Good, Clean Clothes?  Along with food, water and shelter, clothing is a basic necessity. The right clothes can keep you warm in the winter and comfortable in the summer. But the benefits go much deeper than that. Homeless people are often stigmatized for their appearance, including their worn and heavily used clothing. This is especially true of homeless children, ...