Homelessness: Be A Hand Up

In the local news, I read that some local kids saved a homeless man's life. If you know Northeastern Kansas weather, you know that the weather can be unpredictable and cold during the winter. The man was walking in a downtown neighborhood when a boy invited the man to sit down. According to the Capital Journal's article, the man had hypothermia and frostbite. The boy and his family called 911. The man protested because he could not afford a hospital trip. The article says that the man was not drunk, but suffered from a medicated bipolar state. Homelessness is an issue in my community, and this case is another harsh eyeopener at the conditions that people in these situations deal with everyday. If it was not for the child's assertiveness, this man would have been dead by morning.

Another article by the same newspaper sometime within the last two weeks reported a population of between 400 and 500 homeless people living in Topeka. We have a shelter in Topeka called the Rescue Mission. The Mission currently has only 286 bunks, and not all of these can be used depending on circumstances. When I toured the facility with my parents a year or two ago, there were people sleeping on cots in the commons area. However, there are still many homeless people who do not stay at the shelter. The Mission created an outreach called Operation Street Reach to serve these people. They also serve meals to people who do not stay at the shelter.
There are volunteer opportunities at the Mission. There are also other capacities to serve. For example, the website says that they need office administration volunteers. You can also serve on a one-time basis if commitment is hard. I have not had the chance to personally volunteer, but my parents have served food multiple times, My father says that it is a rewarding experience. "They want to be treated like the human beings that they are. There is nowhere else in town for them to go. They are very appreciative of what you are doing to help." My mother adds "Not only do they help with food, but supplies, classes, and training. Some of these people get back on their feet by helping each other and volunteering at the shelter while staying there, It's not a hand out. It is a hand up to help them get back to work, into their homes, into the community. There before the grace of God goes I".

Do you not have time to volunteer? No worries, you can help by donating to the shelter. According to the Rescue Mission's website "donations of food, clothing, furniture, appliances, and miscellaneous items. If you use it in your home we can probably use it". I prefer to donate here because stuff I could just give to a thrift shop will actually be appreciated here. Educational Credit Union has the option for members to help. According to their website, ECU will donate ten cents per transaction for members who have a special Mission card. Think about how fast that would add up! Don't live in Topeka? Contact your local shelter to find out ways to help in your community!

An example of ECU's debit card  mentioned above. Image from Educational Credit Union.

The link for the Topeka Rescue Mission's current needs: http://trmonline.org/?p=2888
The link for Educational Credit Union's debit card program: https://www.educationalcu.org/News---Announcements/Topeka-Rescue-Mission-Debit-Card.aspx
The link for the Capital Journal article: http://cjonline.com/news/2015-02-03/middle-schoolers-actions-help-save-mans-life#.VNE7ozjK6Dc.facebook