Don’t Assume…

Don’t assume that because someone is homeless they are lazy.

Don’t assume that person doesn’t want to work.  They may in fact already BE working.  Most homeless people are working part time and some are full time.

Don’t assume they are looking for a handout to buy alcohol or drugs. 

Don’t assume drugs/alcohol/mental illness is what put them in this situation.  Many homeless people & families are homeless because they lost a job or got sick.  I know my husband and I would be homeless within a few months of losing a job…we have no savings to fall back on and we aren’t alone.

Don’t assume that all homeless people are men who ‘just don’t want to work’.  The majority of the homeless I have encountered are single women just trying to make it through the day.  They want to work but because of high housing costs & childcare costs it is nearly impossible. 

Don’t assume the homeless are homeless because they choose to be, as if it’s some exciting lifestyle they aspire to lead.  1.5 million of the homeless are CHILDREN. Do you think children choose to be ridiculed and hungry?

Don’t assume that it could never be you.