Homelessness

Homelessness is a big problem in our community. Some areas don’t have shelters and those that do are overcrowded and unstaffed. This leaves a lot of people on the streets. My church Alpha & Omega Ministries feeds the homeless twice a month and communicates with the people that are out there. I know we have a stereotype of what a homeless person looks like. We believe they are lazy people, that don’t want to work, and are on drugs and alcohol, but that is a stereotype not reality. Some are that way, but others are everyday people like me and you that fell on hard times, and had no way out.

Homelessness is the minimum standard or lacks secure tenure. People can be categorized as homeless if they are: living on the streets (primary homelessness); moving between temporary shelters, including houses of friends, family and emergency accommodation (secondary homelessness); living in private boarding houses without a private bathroom or security of tenure (tertiary homelessness). I meet a family of five that were living in a shelter because the husband was laid off, and they couldn’t make their rent. The wife was pregnant and trying to see about three little kids while the husband was looking for work. They didn’t ask for money, but they did ask for pray. Sometimes, all people need is some hope. I truly believe that God blesses us to be a blessing whether that is praying for someone, feeding someone, encouraging someone, or taking someone in. We are not blessed to keep it all to ourselves. In Proverbs 14:21 it says "It is a sin to despise one's neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy." If you see someone in need why not help them if you can. All of us need some help sometimes. A man that sleeps on a park bench once told me that he will never lose hope, hope is all he has. In Manatee and Sarasota Counties there are 1,192 homeless people on any given night according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness Organization. Shelters are desperately needed in Manatee County. I truly believe that we as a community can make a difference. What if we decided that enough was enough and we came together to help those that are less fortunate than us. We can build shelters, pray for someone, feed the hungry, and etc.. Take time out to help others, you never know when the helper may become the helpee.