How Can I Help The Homeless?

Like many of you reading this post, when I walk past a homeless person on the street I invariably experience a wave of guilt sweep through me. As much as we have compassion for the homeless, we just didn't know how to help.

The City of Pasadena, along with nonprofit and faith-based homeless service providers, have a number of programs in place to address homelessness. However, due to limited funding, the city still has a problem with chronic homelessness and substance abuse among the homeless. Currently, the Pasadena City Council is considering an ordinance developed by the City Attorney’s office to address the rise of aggressive panhandling on the streets.

Fortunately, this ordinance also addresses the need for more funding for housing and services. Since 2011, Be Someone's Miracle has volunteered with many homeless outreach projects, and made friends among the homeless.  Despite the current programs available, there’s a need for a long-term approach to eliminate chronic homelessness and associated mental and substance abuse problems. We know that many people in Pasadena have a good heart and are willing to spend money to help the homeless, we just need to provide the right tools to get the community involved. 

Two years ago, we developed an alternative to donating money to panhandlers. Be Someone's Miracle would like the public to have the opportunity to donate "I CARE" cards which can only be used at shops inside a local shelter building. The card will have a personalized "I CARE" message with encouraging quotes or a bible verse and local shelter information. It will also include information on Section 8 housing, freebies, job training, one-on-one counseling sessions, free health screening opportunities, etc. Homeless people can use an "I CARE" card to buy necessities such as personal hygiene products, pre-paid phone or metro cards, clothing, water bottles, commercially packaged goods, food, etc. However, they will have to enter the shelter in order to go to the "I CARE" store. They will also have the opportunity to obtain additional "I CARE" Cards if they eat at the shelter, speak to the in-house counselor, or participate in other programs designed to provide help. 

Our goal is to encourage those most in need of service, to acquire the help available from professionals to get back on their feet. Be Someone's Miracle would like the city to set up the system so that the "I CARE" Card can be purchased online, through assigned agencies, churches, non-profit organizations, and eventually at local convenience stores.

If the city of Pasadena approves of this idea and funds this project, we would be more than happy to help set up the system, volunteer to work as staff members, engage other local non-profit organizations, and host fund-raising initiatives. We will write articles to churches, run ads in the newspaper, and host meetings to monitor the process. We hope this idea will come into fruition and give residents a concrete way to work together with community leaders to end homelessness.

It may seem very challenging, but the state of Utah reduced chronic homelessness by 91% by giving the needy shelter first and then aiding them with job placement. We believe it can be done in the state of California and that the City of Pasadena should take the lead! We have prepared presentations and sample card designs and we are eager to visit the Mayor's Office to present our ideas. We would love to hear your feedback! We need your support Pasadena!!

P.S. One of our student volunteers, Harry, only 15 and attending La Crescenta high school, helped us prepare the presentation. He is planning to open a group discussion page on Facebook about homelessness in our area to educate high school students. With smart and thoughtful young people like Harry, we see a bright future for California!

http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/in-unusual-move-homeless-ordinance-proposal-moves-forward-to-council-without-committee-recommendation/

 *The text was edited by Julie A. Hoy, PhD. *