Aloha, friends. I want to share a few thoughts on benevolence, giving, and homeless outreach.

Here in Hawaii, particularly Oahu where I live, we have a serious homeless problem. It’s heartbreaking. We live in a state with indescribable beauty all around, but everywhere you turn there are homeless encampments and beggars. Many are drug addicted. Some are mentally ill. A few are out there by choice or ‘down on their luck’. It’s a difficult reality and it tugs at your heart strings.

So what can you do to help the people in need right on your doorstep?

The common response to seeing our homeless friends is to share a few bucks or a meal. Sometimes people will join forces with their church and go hand out toiletry bags and Daily Bread booklets. But, mostly the response is to simply look the other way- definitely avoid eye contact.

The reality is, of the three examples given, none of them are effective at alleviating the problem or providing solutions. Do you know what happens with the majority of the toiletry kits and food shared with our homeless friends? It is discarded and thrown on the streets with the rest of the rubbish. It’s a sad reality that needs to be discussed.

The time, energy, effort, and MONEY put into creating toiletry/care kits for the homeless is better stewarded by partnering with organizations that exist to help the homeless in a fashion that is healing and rehabilitative. A toiletry kit is a band-aid. Requiring homeless people to access help from the multitude of resources they are provided requires them to take action in their own health, safety and well-being for long-term success. Which, in turn, gives greater health, safety, and well-being to the citizens impacted by the homeless people in our neighborhoods.

Are you aware of how much help is easily accessible to the homeless in America? Particularly Hawaii? IHS (Institue for Human Services), Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Community Foundation, among many other homeless care organizations, can house, medicate, bathe, and rehabilitate those who want help. These organizations have empty (!!) housing waiting for people who need re-housing.

How you can be more effective in giving:

1. Don’t give money directly to the homeless person. If you’d like to give money, consider donating to an organization working to eradicate homelessness. Giving money to the homeless often gives them direct access to drugs and alcohol. Help break the cycle!
2. Don’t give them food. Urge them to access food at their local food pantry or shelter where they will also have access to additional services.
3. Build relationships with them and be their advocate.
4. Have information ready to share with them about where to go if they need assistance. Don’t be discouraged. It can take hundreds of interactions with someone before they’ll trust or listen to you.

A few of my favorite books if you want more information on how to be effective in helping the homeless and poor:

*When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… and Yourself by Steven Corbett and Brian Fikkert

*Toxic Charity: How the Church Hurts Those They Help and How to Reverse It by Robert Lupton

If you or your church would like to discuss a homeless outreach plan that is safe, effective, and provides a long-term answer to the problem, please contact me. I’d love to help.

Peace, Grace, & Love,

Aja

If you want to learn more about homelessness in Hawaii you can read here.