How do You Help a homeless person?

[Blackmail]

Well, I don't normally care about the homeless. Mostly because most of the homeless I've met are jerks who beg for money and act like a jerk when I don't give them any. Most I've encountered are alcoholics and I've dealt extensively with the homeless. I know this is a cold way to feel but it's based on numerous experiences living in Pontiac and trying to befriend a few. One stole from me to feed his crack habit.

Whatever.

Now, I've found one I want to help. He is very polite and I feel so bad for him seeing him walk around holding several bags. I wonder where he sleeps. If he gets enough to eat.

So I want to do something, but what?

I can probably set him up in a room in Hamtrmack. I can probably afford to pay the first 2 months rent for him (it's just a room). I want to buy him a cheap TV as well. They have a public shower so he'll be covered there too. I can probably get him some food to last a couple of weeks.

But then what?

I can't expect someone who has lived on the street to get up and get a job and take care of himself. It would probably be a long road to get him to the social skills needed to hold a job. He looks like he is at least in his 40's.

What can I do to help him? Is there any programs that help homeless people go from being destitute to being able to function as a normal human being and take care of themself?

[Fierce Critter]

My advice?

Find him a job FIRST.

Jon wasn't truly homeless when he first came to Michigan. But let's put it this way - he was gonna be as soon as my parents came home from their vacation.

He got a job the day after he arrived. He had transportation to get to the job. The only thing he didn't have was a place to stay.

I called everything I could think of to find him a place to stay. The Red Cross. Local churches. Eventually, even the Police. Nobody had anything to offer for a guy over 18 with a job & vehicle.

I got my tax refund, and was able to put him up in a weekly motel. That's the only reason he had a place to stay. Once his paychecks started coming in, he was able to pay for it himself, and gradually, he started getting ahead.

If you find a person a place to stay first, they may get lazy and not work. If you get them a vehicle, maybe they can stay in the vehicle while working and then get their own place - it's an incentive.

But they need to work. Find out where the local day labor place is. Many of these have a shuttle system that will pick the person up for work every day and take them home. Find out if they do have a shuttle, and where they will and will not go.

Get him working. Then get him a place within bus route or shuttle area. The rest should fall into place.

That's my best advice based on experience, not just with Jon but with the Day Labor people I worked with down in Florida when we had no other options.

Good luck. It's good of you to want to help - the right way.

[Blackmail]

I just don't think i can expect him to work right away. I am sure his mind isn't right at the moment if he's living on the street. He needs a place to rest, recoup, clean and get mentally healthy. At least that's how I imagine it. Maybe I can sit down with him and help him fill out some applications.

[Fierce Critter]

That's very thoughtful of you.

Just don't get stuck in a situation where you end up footing the bill with no end in sight. I've seen way too many well-intentioned friends end up like that due to the person they set out to help taking advantage.

[Blackmail]

That's very thoughtful of you.

Just don't get stuck in a situation where you end up footing the bill with no end in sight. I've seen way too many well-intentioned friends end up like that due to the person they set out to help taking advantage.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yeah, I am one of those people. I worked security at the pontiac silverdome and they needed extra help with concessions and stuff so they brought in day laborors. One guy told me his sob story how he had nowhere to go, he offered to give me half his days pay to let him sleep on my floor.

So I did, and did not accept any money.

When I woke up my sega dreamcast was gone as well as the $25 in my wallet and some CD's. I found one of his friends later who informed me he had a crack habit.

I lived in downtown pontiac and used to bring pizzas to the homeless mission there, only to have some of those same people yell at me when I didn't have cash to give them.

[Msterbeau]

Our church participates in SOS. South Oakland Shelter. We host a group of homeless people for a week. We do laundry, transport them to work, etc. IParticipating in programs like this might be a "safer" way to satisfy your longing to help Ted.

[Brenda Starrr]

Wow, Ted. This is a side of you that I never expected. I like it. I think that your heart is definitely in the right place. =)

[Onyx]

I hope you can get this person some help without putting yourself in danger.

Here is the website for the Detroit Homeless Coordination Division

http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/humanservices/homeless.htm

Sounds like they may be able to help, or maybe direct you to an agency who can:

"The mission of the Homeless Coordination Division is to insure that adequate services are provided to homeless persons in the City of Detroit to assist them in becoming self-sufficient, and to develop a Continuum of Care strategy for addressing homeless issues.

For assistance regarding the placement of homeless persons in emergency shelters, please call the Neighborhood Service Organization Shelter Hotline Service at 963-STAY, or 1-800-A-SHELTER.

[ZhukovCodeslinger]

...At least that's how I imagine it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think this is the most important statement you have made about the situation. The guy may be really nice... (or he might eat children... I dont know and dont care) but serious mental illness is not somthing that people recover from. Now before everyone starts jumping in and explains how they have some sort of serious mental illness... shut up, none of you are crazy bums or bag ladies. being depressed or having "issues" that can be worked out with a therapist do not make you homeless for years...

It is nice of you to make this into your problem, but I dont think it will do much good for anyone involved. Good luck with your bum project.

[Blackmail]

He is not mentally ill. He is not addicted to anything. I've spent the past 2 days with him. He's my friend.

[Onyx]

Do you know his story and how he ended up homeless? I'm sure there are quite a few today who are a paycheck or two away from the street.

I hope you can find a way to help. It sounds like you're being smart about it.

[JaneDead]

Do you know his story and how he ended up homeless?  I'm sure there are quite a few today who are a paycheck or two away from the street. 

I hope you can find a way to help. It sounds like you're being smart about it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes do you know his story?

[Morbid Side]

There is this black homeless guy right off 8 mile going east with one eye who I sorta feel bad for. I usually end up giving him like a dollar.

[DarkChylde]

I still remember back in the year 2000 when me and some friends of mine went to st. andrews hall for hallowicked to see ICP. As we waited in line to get in the door and watching faygo spray everywhere, there were couple homless people came up and started picking up the faygo bottles putting them in the beat-up looking grocery cart. But anyways this one came up to me and started talking to me, he seemed awsome and told me the story how he ended up the way he was now, not only I felt bad but at the same time I could relate. So I end up doing something which I thought I never did. I gave him almost my whole paycheck which was around 200$. I told him to go use it to get in a very cheap apt and find work if possible. I wish I couldve done more for him but that was all I can do.

I wonder if he ever got better or worse these days, who knows.

[Guest Megalicious]

So I wrote to the Homeless Policy and Planning Administrator in Lansing. This is what he had to say. I hope that it can help you Ted.

Megan,

Thank you for taking the time to send this note my way.

I'm most appreciative of the concern you've shown in this circumstance.

The folks who are most likely to be most helpful for your friend (and for this individual) are the folks at Wayne-Metro Community Action Agency.

I'm copying this note to Jennifer Lepard -- the CEO at Wayne-Metro Community Action Agency, who also coordinates the Out-Wayne Homeless Coalition. Jennifer's e-mail is jlepard@waynemetro.org. Her phone number is 734-246-2280. This agency has been at the heart of homeless response in Wayne County for many many years, and while they may not be able to provide all of the things that you are seeking, they should be able to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

I'm also copying this to my colleague in MSHDA's Detroit office -- Paulette Smith -- in hopes that she might help in following up, as well. Paulette's phone number is (313)456-3558.

Thank you for obvious compassion and commitment.

Best wishes for our shared success in response to this predicament in the days ahead.

Chuck Kieffer

Homeless Policy and Planning Administrator

Michigan State Housing Development Authority

735 E. Michigan Avenue

Lansing, MI 48913

Phone: 517-335-4473 Fax: 517-241-6672