This week was National Homeless Persons Week. It was run by Homelessness Australia in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police and Missing Persons Week.
Over 14,000 people are homeless in my city alone and it breaks my heart to think of it.
Homeless people aren't just drunks or junkies, or people who "choose" to be on the streets. They're families, couples, children, or people who just made a wrong choice in their life or weren't given a chance to start with. They're people who were put out by their families, unloved or uncared for, people who have just had a rough trot in life and need a helping hand to get back on track.
I hate people who judge others, more than anything, because you never know someone's story - what they've been through, where they're from, what they're striving for.
Some people say "Well they shouldn't have taken drugs/drunk alcohol/run with a bad crowd - it was their choice and they should live with the consequences - they can only help themselves."
Well yes, and no. Yes it was their choice, and a bad choice. But by the time they get to the point of homelessness - living in shelters, on peoples couches, or in the streets, they're just a person who needs help. Why does it matter how they got there? They're human beings like everyone else. They were someones baby at one point, someone loved and cared for them - and so should you.
One of the items on my 101 list was to give at least $5 to a homeless person 3 times. I did that this week - I gave $5 to a kind old fella in the city. I stopped and had a chat to him - he was selling "The Big Issue" - a magazine that gives struggling people a chance to get back into the workforce and get their lives back on track. I bought a magazine from him (he gets 50% of all sales) and talked to him. He was such a sweet man with the kindest eyes and it really made me think - how did he get here. Where are the people who love him?
As a favour to me - next time you see someone asleep on the ground, or on a bench - or some "drunk" wandering through the street wearing dirty clothes, don't turn up your nose or walk around him like he's nothing - smile, say hi and treat him with the dignity he deserves.
He's just a person.
National Homeless Persons Week
The Big Issue
Labels: 053-Give to Homeless, In Progress