Start Here…. and don’t look away.
Welcome to Gear for the Homeless. We mean that sincerely. We hope while you are here you will learn to be brave and look homelessness in the face. We know homelessness is bigger than any of us, but we are hoping that we can help bring dignity and hope to one person at a time. We don’t have all the right answers and we aren’t experts. We are just people looking at homelessness and doing what we can. Have you ever sat at stop light with someone holding a sign asking for help and felt uncomfortable? We’ve experienced that too. The problem is, as a whole we’ve come to ignore, or brush away these opportunities. The light changes, we go on with our day and that uncomfortable moment passes. But what if that uncomfortable moment was the most important moment of your entire day. What if you rolled down your window and engaged someone that needed food, hope, or something as simple as a bottle of water. What if you entered his or her world with a smile, asked their name, and offered them dignity. If you don’t know what that would look like, or just want to become more comfortable with the process, we hope you’ll read on. Most of the people we encounter are warm and friendly, and grateful for any small act of kindness. And while you might assume most are just begging for money, would you be more comfortable if I told you MOST people are actually just HUNGRY. Would you be more comfortable giving, if you knew you were staring in the face of someone who is desperate for help. We promise you a few things as you walk with us. Facing homelessness will be difficult and stretching, but you will grow. And secondly we hope that we can equip you to see that awkward encounter at the stop light as an opportunity to share hope and compassion. How can we begin to compare our discomfort with the desperation of someone who is hungry and homeless? Here at Gear For The Homeless, we feel that people are worth the effort. Your small act of kindness can be the difference between hunger and a small meal to eat, desperation and hope, worthlessness and dignity, and exposure or security. Never underestimate your impact. Kindness gives life.
Melissa
- Gear For The Homeless