Advice for homeless

Frankly, I would suggest getting OUT of the ghetto. It would ALSO be best that they don't have the ghetto mentality.

Shelters, at least in the US, can VARY! Some are dangerous, and some are very safe. I technically only stayed in two. I stayed in one as a project, and I was there to help those that needed help. It was out of a church! I stayed in the other because I was temporarily effectively an orphan. It was literally NEXT DOOR to, and built on, a police station!

There ARE buses and most streets allow easy passage. In some areas, they have a decent metro system that is inexpensive.

BTW new clothes, and a good cleaning are a help. In the US today there shouldn't be a reason to be homeless.

Steve

If they really want to get a new start, have them go to the Salvation Army and volunteer. Many people have found new life that way.

Being truly homeless is much more complex than to just get a job.

First, a homeless person probably only has one set of clothes and needs a shower, not optimal for job interviews. Then there's the lack of "infrastructure" that will allow the person to be contacted if they do happen to get a job, not to mention what address and phone number do they put on the job app?

But an even bigger deal is that you can become too poor to get a job. Very few jobs pay daily and many pay every week or two, with a one week "hold". It's pretty common for it to take 2-3 weeks to get your first check. A hungry person can't go this long without eating, so they need to spend their time hustling and/or going to soup kitchens to get a meal instead of working at a job.

When a person is homeless, the biggest problem is immediate cash flow and/or a commitment to help them with the understanding that it will take months AFTER they get consistent cashflow to get back on their feet.

I will say the Internet can be a big asset as people willing to work can post ads on Craigslist for doing odd jobs. However, they will still need to be able to be contacted and have a means for transportation.

sell the cellphone

cash is king

Pack the backpack, get out of the ghetto and get to the countryside and ask for work at the farms you travel by. For shelter while you're traveling on the countryside trying to find a job, you actually only need a tarp, a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag (or a wool blanket).

That's what I would do.

I live in Canada which would be a different from the US when it comes to shelters, and probably safer (I don't know for sure, just guessing). I did once sleep at a shelter. It wasn't so bad. The only annoying thing was a guy making homosexual advances at me even after I made it clear that I'm straight. Also stayed in Skid Row for a spell and saw a number of fights from my window, including a couple of stabbings. I occasionally drank in skid row bars (never was alcoholic) and they can get quite violent. Yet, I was only rarely personally threatened, but I am actually pretty good at defusing situations,

I faced the greatest personal danger when I stayed at a rooming house (vs Skid Row hotel), It had ex-convicts and down-and-out types there. At that place a young dude, totally unprovoked, lunged at me with a knife. I ended that fight quickly with a judo flip (which was probably a stupid move since I could have fallen on top of the knife) and hitting him in the face a few times. I got out of that place the same night. BTW, after paying rent, they spent all their welfare money on booze and dope, then ate in soup kitchens.

In my experience, Canada is a safe country. Other places I've been to were worse (but I'm not going there).

Do you have a smart-phone? If so, use your legs and your smart-phone for a bit of craigslist bartering and arbitrage. Start in the free section, and trade/sell your way up.

Very much like the plot of an RPG. What I would do if I were homeless with this in my inventory is do errands. First objective: Feed myself. But I don't have money. So, instead of panhandling, I'd offer any passersby if they'd need me to do anything... It could be street performing, menial tasks. i won't beg for money, but I would certainly be firm about begging for work. Compensation could either be in the for of food and/or cash, but money could really work at this moment in your life.

As you get the trust of the community, You'd be known as that Helpful Hobo. If you'd get lucky, Media will pick you up as a feature story, or if not, just one of those unsung heroes of our times. Still, someone is bound to notice you.

If you have acquired enough experience points, you can level up by asking for a proper job, say, like in a car wash. Be honest and respectful to your employer and raise your reputation level. Make this as your first Class Change.

The important thing to have during this Class Change is to improve your attribute points (though you can't still max it out yet because EXP is trickling at a sluggish pace and droprate's low percentage)

Build up on inventory. Skills are highly valued in this competitive world and if you have innate abilities use it to the fullest. If not, bluff your way into it. Remember your training from the previous errands you've had. You don't have to be an expert. Basic knowledge of how things work can land you a job ( My uncle became a master mechanic through this method)

Take care of your HP and MP at all times! Healthy Body and a Sound Mind would help you survive the harsh conditions of the unsheltered world.

I hope anyone can relate to this. I've been a bum once kicked out of the house. It's not fun and safe at all since I came from a Third World Country. Reason: They say I'm a slacker but I am a dreamer. I just don't know where to put my efforts into. They say I play too much video games, they don't know I'm training my hand-eye coordination all the time.

Sometimes well-intentioned programs for people in destitute situations create a fish-in-a-barrel kind of hunting ground for predators. I hear a lot of anecdotal stories to this effect when it comes certain areas in Vancouver. The most dramatic case was serial killer Robert Pickton plucking vulnerable off the streets, doing so for years, with local law enforcement being singularly inept and actually firing the one person who was onto what was going on (a tragic national shame and embarrassment for Canada).

Any solution has to be pragmatic. Many homeless people have issues of the mind that have to be somehow resolved before they'd be fit to work. I get quite sick of inaccurate characterizations from both left and the right. Yeah, it IS better to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Government usually fails to properly address anything in a person's life. However, before that happens someone has to somehow reach a state in which he/she can make a livelihood.

Tell your friends to keep an eye out for things like a business with lots of trash around it that needs to be picked up. Hedges, fences etc where it get's blown in and is an eyesore.

Even check if the parking lot could use a good sweeping and remove dirt etc.

Go and say "do you mind if I pick up that garbage, and give the lot a good sweeping?"

Don't worry about asking or what you will get.

Not many business owners are going to let an obviously down and out person come and do that work, and then let them go without rewarding them with cash, food, a job or a job lead etc.

Offer them a favor, not ask for one.

Aaron

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.
It seems like he will have to take a chance on one of the shelters.

He was going to go to this one but then heard rumors of how they exploit the vulnerable people staying there as not allowing them to attend job interviews. Not allowed to keep cell phone. Plus the stories of people being robbed and assaulted in some of them.

Some of the rules of these places don't mesh with trying to find work or working a job. The places where you have to line up by a certain time to get a bed.

The city he is in is really made for people with cars. Very poor public transport.

He has been getting calls for interviews but finding it difficult to get to the interviews without money for the bus. Then there is the 2 hour ride one way.

Like one poster said, many places you might be waiting 2 weeks or so to get a pay check so you have to be able to afford to get there until you get paid.

Maybe he can try the day labor places to start with? Maybe try panhandling, will work for food signs?
I am just wondering about him being arrested for doing that though. Don't want that to happen.

I thought about starting a fund raiser for him but frankly I suspect he would get better results with something like that if he were a cute young female.

I am wondering if he would be better off in a city where a car wasn't really needed? Might have a better chance.

His situation is a sad one. He was the caretaker of his father who had a long battle with cancer. The father died and then he went to live with an elderly grandparent taking care of her until she died and the relative that was executor kicked him out and he had nowhere to go. He went to trade school but didn't get a chance to do anything with it because of the years spent taking care of sick relatives.

The saddest part is that the executor and these other vulture relatives did nothing while the gran was still alive. My friend was burdened with all her care and she was too sickly to change her will or anything so they took everything and booted him out in the street.

I live in another country so I am limited as to what I can do.

Keep the ideas coming.

On an unrelated note, he could make potato salad.

http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...ato-salad.html

Can I just ask a bit about this person's background? Perhaps there are some skills or knowledge that might be leveraged to gain a better living situation. That would be the first step. Why is this individual having to leave the (presumable) friend's sofa?

The first thing this guy needs to concentrate on is getting a vehicle. You can live in a vehicle - you can't drive a house. There are some charities that deal in getting vehicles for people. He will need to be able to use someone's address - either a charity will allow them to use theirs or a friend or family. Once he's got a vehicle, he's at least got a place to sleep and keep a few supplies. Advertise on Craigslist, or anywhere else he can think of that there might be people who have cars that run that he can get into. I bought one that ran just fine for only $400 once and was able to get it on 4 payments. Saved my butt. Mechanics in town might know people who would be willing to part with a car for nothing or cheaply.

You said no cash, so job is still major priority - but he can still hunt down a charity car while he's looking for work.

It's summer. The farm labor thing isn't a bad idea if done right. Go to the local employment office and they have listings throughout the whole state for farm hands needed. Those places give living quarters - not the Ritz, but he'd be able to save up some of his earnings for a few months until harvest if it's crops, and indefinitely if it's stock. He'll be fed well. He'll have an address, and he'll be away from crime areas and fairly safe.

With the money earned - Get that car if he wasn't able to find one gratis. Then buy an appropriate outfit or two for the work he's skilled for- non-wrinkle so he'd be able to clean himself for an interview at any laundromat and gas station bathroom if he needed to. If he buys the clothes at the Salvation army - they may help in other ways in the meantime.

He can also look for situations - work for rent, etc. But he needs to be careful with these.

People can be real a**holes about abusing others. Still - I did that once in a tight spot and it got me through. What about work at a carnival. Far from glamorous, but might get him into a situation that would buy him a month or two to actually straighten things out a tad.

Have him put an ad in Craigslist - desperate need of - home, job, transportation - skill set, other details that will make him sound like someone who's willing to kick some butt to get back on his feet and not just another pathetic sob story, boozer, tweeker.

And -- my best wishes to him. I've been so close to being there before it makes my skin crawl to look back. Took some very aggressive action to avoid it, but if I can do it, anyone can.

Has anyone here ever actually been homeless? I have and I can tell you from experience that it's VERY hard to get back on your feet once you're down that far.

The first thing I'd do is find a shelter or service organization that I could use as an address so I could get food stamps. Get the food problem resolved as soon as possible.

Next, I'd find a place that would donate a sleeping bag, coat, backpack, clean socks, etc. You absolutely MUST change your socks daily if you're doing a lot of walking.

Next, I'd pull out my picture ID and start going door to door to businesses, homes, motels, restaurants, etc and asking for work. If you're kind, honest and show your face next to your ID so people can clearly see that you are who you say you are, the odds of you grabbing some work, cash or both are pretty likely.

If you can build a bit of trust with someone they may even let you leave your stuff there during the day, let you use their restroom to take spit baths or even give you a temporary place to stay. This can be huge, especially when you find a regular job.

I've done sales jobs that paid daily when I was homeless and even though the work was up and down cash wise, I could sleep in the company truck in their lot and wash up in their bathroom in the morning before everyone else arrived.

Something that most people aren't aware of is that apx 20-25% of the homeless in America are Veterans. Many have mental issues and haven't been able to qualify for benefits. Some have no skills to speak of. Some have seen too much horror in their lives and don't feel like they can ever fit in with society.

Others are mentally ill, runaways, people that have lost their jobs and never been able to get back on their feet. Many are substance abusers. It's between $5-$7.00 for a 12 pack of beer and it makes things more bearable for awhile. People can agree with it or not. Once they've actually been there and done that, I'd be glad to listen to their opinion.

Here's a Squidoo page I bookmarked awhile back about the plight of the homeless in America. It's a pretty big wake-up call. I highly recommend everyone read it.

Homeless In America

You know in canada we have something call "assistance social" where the government give $600 each month to everyone who can`t work for whatever reason (sickness, lazy whatever)

So here the homeless are mostly addict peoples that use this money for drugs and alchool.

In canada it`s very easy here to get out of homless situation, you just have to want to...

Why is the person homeless? Drug's? Bad attitude? Young and foolish? Old and foolish? Not motivated? ..........You can't fix that......they have to hit rock bottom and want to change and get help. Don't do anything except give them some food,essential's and a pack to carry it. they will have to figure out the rest.

Here's the best advice if they are a good person, hard worker and have a good attitude that is just down on their luck.
1. Move to where the work is. Right now that is Texas and North Dakota.

2. Being homeless blows. So tell your friend to find groups that help homeless, generally Church and religious related groups. They will help out. If they are Atheist, good luck finding an Atheist group that helps anyone.

2. Need cash and have plenty of time? Buy them a 5 gallon bucket or so and some window cleaning equipment a squeegee, and window brush, they carry it at Home Depot. And a bottle of simple green cleaner you only need a capful for about 3 to 5 gallons if that. Have them go out and clean windows for anything, Generally you can make about 10-20 bucks an hour or more if you are decent and clean.

3. Tell them to stay clean in ALL ways. Being drunk or stoned and homeless makes things worse not better. Use college locker room to shower if possible, get a health club membership if possible so you can work out and shower. and find places with access to water such as parks and commercial areas.

Being homeless sometimes is a blessing, yes, I have been homeless. It makes you think and work at getting back on your feet. It makes you grateful for what you did have. It can also break you down. Sometimes that is what we need. Sometimes it can destroy a person. For those that truly do not wan to be there it is not a game. Other's are going to live that lifestyle and make no effort.

If for some reason you think your friend has a mental illness you might be able to get them help and off the street if they agree. Many homeless are mentally ill and or addicted and could get help but choose not too.

I did lose my income and housing once. Happened to already have a mini van and no wife or kids.
I also had a nice down sleeping bag and a lot of cheap down jackets. Weathered a few 20 below nights just fine.

Day labor through an agency and that did provide enough to eat and drive and keep the pay as you go cell phone.. Day labor is very hit or miss. You have to get there early and wait in line and they might not have any work - especially if the economy is bad.

I alternated between parking in the woods and in a Wal-Mart parking lot. It is best to move
around. You can "camp" for up to two weeks in the national forest/campgrounds - but then you have to move along. One time a sherriff did ask what I was doing and he just walked away without saying a word.

I did sponge baths in the library bathroom and a visitor center - lucky they did have individual rooms.

I eventually found employment.

-------

It sounds like your friend might be able to become a Nursing Assistant. Nursing homes or in home care. There are placement agencies. Around here it can pay $150 a day (overnight stay).

What city does your friend live in? We can google resources for him.

I forgot to mention that if he does not have major health and background issues, he could get easily
get on as a hotel/motel housekeeper, or maintenance help. They are almost always looking for help.

Many hotels/motels pay cash at first because housekeeping is often piece work and there are many people who try it for a day or two and quit.

I think it's been mentioned, but he could walk around to businesses and houses and ask
to do odd jobs such as painting, cleaning, gardening...

I think your friend will do well in the long run because he takes care of people and obviously values them. This suggests that he would have high standards for the performance he puts into a job. That is the kind of person just about anybody, including employers, would want to associate with.

Check out North Dakota - they are begging for workers up there right now.

Or he can go relax on Waikiki beach for a while, there's allway charity food there and it's allways sunny and hot

That's what i told myself when i was there the other winter, best place to stay if you are homeless ...