If you knew someone who was homeless?

Let her live in your basement with her kids. Tell her that you want rent money ($500/month) when she has a job.

When she finally has a job and works, tell her you don't need the rent money and she can move out.
 


Let her live in your basement with her kids. Tell her that you want rent money ($500/month) when she has a job.

When she finally has a job and works, tell her you don't need the rent money and she can move out.
 
I know plenty of homeless people. A few people I went to high school with literally live under a bridge a few miles from me. They do it for the "lifestyle". I've offered to help them in the past and they laughed at me for "being part of the system". One of them has a kid that lives with her.

Just offer to help and if they say yes, help them. Give them one shot. If they turn you down, let them enjoy the street in peace.
 
Yes I like the basement Idea... make a separate room in the basement on the outside wall, cut a round hole in the wall and put in a vending machine that accepts 20's ... you get the rest of the picture..

basically she can work at home, and you have a steady cash flow, she no homeless no more and everyone is happy
 
amanda11 said:
Let her live in your basement with her kids. Tell her that you want rent money ($500/month) when she has a job.

When she finally has a job and works, tell her you don't need the rent money and she can move out.
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This, except charge her rent for the first three to six months... Put the "rent" money in a safe place, then give it to her all at once to get her into her own place. That way you haven't demeaned her by giving her cash, but rather she'll be grateful that you let her and the kid(s) stay in your home. Plus, saving up money is very difficult for someone who is literally starting all over. That'll give her the money she needs for a deposit on a place, and utility deposits. If she has crappy credit, she can still get an apartment.. There are places in every large city they do month to month leases with no credit check. If you live in Arizona, I can also give you some numbers to have her call, if you PM me.

Other than that... Give her a good (but not over the top) reference for jobs where she applies. If she doesn't have any, you could offer to buy her business appropriate clothing in exchange for some help around the house.

The worst thing you can do, if she's truly a good person just down on her luck, is offer to pay her way for pretty much anything. That'll feed her depression, and make her feel as though she's incapable of supporting herself or ever getting back on her feet. Instead, give her ways to work off the things she needs.
 
Hey Jason - this is that "writer" that ripped me off a few months ago is it? You know the one that got "sick"?
 
AdExhibitJason said:
If you knew someone/ had a friend who was homeless and in a shelter what would you do to help them? Aside from helping them financially. What things can or would you do to help them?
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I would help people all the time. Many don't appreciate it. Some take advantage of it.

Climbing out of a hole is character building. I believe in giving just enough help that people don't drown. If they want to improve their lot, they need to put in the work, they need to own it.

You can't make people great with charity, you can only give them an opportunity. Succeed or fail, it's always up to them.
 
Volume10 said:
Hey Jason - this is that "writer" that ripped me off a few months ago is it? You know the one that got "sick"?
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actually no it isn't....though they live in the same state.


Would be hard to have her move in for several reasons. Firstly she lives hundreds of miles away. Second, she is female and I am sure my wife would not go for her moving in with her kids.



Here is another part of her story.

I had not talked to her until she was already homeless. She has a boyfriend and I asked how he was. She had not talked to him since they lost the apartment because apparently he could not stay in the shelter with them because it was full.

Finally, someone found out he was in the hospital. He had a heart attack. She stayed at the hospital with him for a couple days and one of her aunts watched the kids.

It is just one messed up thing after another.

I really want to help her and her kids. I just want to make sure I actually help.

Her boyfriend is staying with his sister. She would stay there to but I guess there is already to many people in the house. With him 10 in a 2 bedroom.
 
Hey listen, I run a shelter for homeless families. What families in her position really need is hope. So you can continue to be an encouragement by listening and affirming her ability to get through this. If she's in a shelter, she's probably connected with social service agencies to provide food and medical for the kids, probably cash assistance of some sort, and connections with transitional housing programs. The folks working with her are probably in the best position to help her. (though not all shelters offer the greatest support)

If she's in Oregon or SW Washington, PM me. This is a heartbreaking story...but I get probably 30 calls a week just like this. Single moms have an incredibly hard time...its not as simple as "get a job".
 
shatchp said:
Hey listen, I run a shelter for homeless families. What families in her position really need is hope. So you can continue to be an encouragement by listening and affirming her ability to get through this. If she's in a shelter, she's probably connected with social service agencies to provide food and medical for the kids, probably cash assistance of some sort, and connections with transitional housing programs. The folks working with her are probably in the best position to help her. (though not all shelters offer the greatest support)

If she's in Oregon or SW Washington, PM me. This is a heartbreaking story...but I get probably 30 calls a week just like this. Single moms have an incredibly hard time...its not as simple as "get a job".
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No she isn't there. She is in IL. Which really sucks because it is starting to get cold.

She showed me a link of the place/shelter she is staying at.

Here is a story on the place

The National Guard - Illinois Guard unit donates surplus food to shelter

Back when that story took place there where only 4 people In the shelter. Last night she said she counted 25.

Here is a pic of the actual shelter.

East+St.+Louis+%289-27,30-08%29+34.jpg
East+St.+Louis+%289-27,30-08%29+34.jpg


East+St.+Louis+(9-27,30-08)+34.jpg (image)

She said they are only allowed in the back and in the basement.
 
AdExhibitJason said:
Actually yes she is.


You make some valid points. I am trying all I can for them.


To go into a little more detail on the situation. She has 2 kids with her during the ordeal. Girls ares 6 and 2.
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OK, since you are dealing with a woman & her children it is different than dealing with a man who has met misfortune.

A woman in this situation is feeling FEAR 1st and foremost. She will put her children WAY before her own needs and self esteem in this situation. (Keep this in mind when dealing with her.)

There are many variables that "I" have no knowledge of in this situation for me to give any real accurate advise to you here.

All I can tell you is that she is scared, which can manifest itself in anger or indifference. But the root is fear here. By being there to show her options and that "SHE" has the power to improve her situation and take care of her children will be a great blessing to her.


I feel your pain and wish you well. It's never easy when dealing with people that are in tough situations.
 
Oh god, I agree with guerrilla on something! I feel so dirty!!! :P

The cynic in me says that those kids have some pretty valuable organs.
The realist in me points out that zero-skill manual labour is always available for anyone willing to do it.

Does she have any kind of education or trade skills? Musical talent even?
If she is attractive, she shouldn't actually have any difficulty getting a job as a waitress / bartender. In hospitality, specifically liquor related, good looks tend to be the most valued asset.
 
I got a little geography lesson while searching for family shelters in her area...St. Louis - East St. Louis...took me a minute to realize they're only separated by a river. She might find more services in St. Louis.

The federal stimulus package flooded subsidized housing programs with funding this last month...I found a reference to St. Louis' program here . She wants to get connected with Rapid Re-housing-type programs, in MO or IL, if she can, or any other transitional housing program for homeless families. I'd urge her to get engaged totally in calling programs on her own behalf. Truly, the better she is at advocating for herself, the more others will begin to advocate for her as well.

Thats all I got...hope things look up.
 
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