Why Help the Homeless?
Four thousand people will die, homeless on the streets of America this year. Many of our volunteers have a homeless friend that has died on the streets. According to the National Institute of Health, the challenges of poverty such as a lack of access to health care, proper nutrition, and social support are responsible for another 874,000 deaths.
This is unacceptable! SpreadPeace.org is dedicated to providing instruction and support to anyone wanting to help the homeless. The video below is an example. All the pictures were taken in one 24 hour period at one of the first Spread Peace Chapters. Three of our homeless friends in this video died only a few months later when temperatures dropped below freezing. The woman at the beginning with her hands on her head and at the end is one of them.
Homelessness is a complex issue. It is one that requires a comprehensive solution that includes mental health, addiction, housing and educational components. Spread Peace Chapters focus on helping those who are most at risk. Once you decide to help the homeless and spend time with someone who is homeless you begin to understand how many of us without the support of friends and family would be able to survive a debilitating physical illness or loss of employment. Many of the people living on the streets are veterans with PTSD, kids that identify as LGBTQ, and people that lost their job and had no social support.
We do not have to accept the current situation! There is no big or small when it comes to helping the homeless. You can help right now. By giving your time, money, services or skills, you can make a real difference in the life of a homeless person.
5 Ways to Help the Homeless
1. Start a Spread Peace Chapter
You don’t need a big group or be part of an organization to help the homeless in your community. We suggest you find at least one other person to get started. We’ll help you get the word out in your community.
2. Be a Cyber Advocate for the Homeless
Use your smartphone or laptop to help the homeless online. The great thing about the internet is you can target you can reach people locally or nationally. Do a Google search to find a homeless app to help the people in your community. We are working on a new app now that will work nationwide.
3. Donate
Spread Peace Chapter are always in need of socks, shoes, personal hygiene, and food. Other items needed are blankets, coats, sleeping bags, and tents. We have a variety of ways for you to help get these life-sustaining supplies to the homeless. You can order items on Amazon Wishlist, make a one-time donation or become a member with a donation as little as $14 a month.
4. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to get started. If you don’t have a Spread Peace Chapter in your community, you can volunteer at your local homeless shelter. They are always in need of volunteers to answer phones, help serve food, wash dishes, sort clothes, provide childcare, and many other activities.
5. Help the Homeless in Your Community
Be active in your community. Find out what organizations are helping the homeless in your community and find out what items they need. Then you can contact local service organizations and see if they are interested in organizing food drives or other fundraising events. Follow your local politics, write letters to the editor, speak up at city council meetings on issues of that affect the homeless.