Volunteering: A Verb With a Purpose

While it would not be right to discount the millions of dollars that are donated to charitable institutions each year or the generous motives that encourage people to give money to others, volunteering takes giving to a whole new level.  Volunteering takes on many forms and is an activity that can be performed by anyone. Volunteering is definitely a verb with a purpose.

History of Volunteerism in America

Volunteerism in America began with the arrival of the first settlers. Immigrant’s survival was dependent on unification and helping one another.  Not all of the immigrants had the same skills and everyone had to use what they were good at for the good of the settlement. Benjamin Franklin created the first volunteer firehouse in 1736 in order to help protect small towns.  The volunteer firehouse remains a tradition today in small cities and rural areas. The Revolutionary War brought volunteers together to generate money for war efforts, and boycotts were organized to speak against Great Britain.  Churches in the 19th century lead efforts to help the poor and homeless. Well- known organizations such as the YMCA and the Red Cross were started in the 1800’s in response to a growing need for volunteer services. Mainstream civic clubs began to form in the 20th century, and the idea of the soup kitchen was most likely born during The Great Depression. Volunteerism spoke out against poverty, violence, and inequality during the turbulent 60’s. Volunteer efforts today have expanded to include everything from animal rights organizations to food pantry’s and environmental groups. If you have an interest or a passion, there is a volunteer group to suit. Opportunities to help others are limitless.

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteers often find that they experience a whole host of benefits from serving including:

• Learning new skills

• Building a resume

• Making contacts

• Meeting new people

• Feeling valued

• Feeling needed

• Improved self-confidence and self-esteem

• Experiencing different cultures

What it takes to be a Good Volunteer

Being an effective volunteer begins with a passion. You must be passionate about something in order to help others. This passion will drive your success as a volunteer. You must be humble, willing to take direction and reliable.  Volunteers must be dependable, show up to work when they stay they will and stick to their commitment. Even though, some parts of your volunteer job may not be so glamorous, it is important that you demonstrate a “willingness to do what it takes” to get the job done. Good volunteers must be team players who are able to set aside their own interests for the good of the team and the mission of the organization they are serving.

Myths about Volunteering

While there are many opportunities for people to get involved in volunteering some are reticent to do so because of a number of myths or feelings of inadequacy. Although it is true that there are many volunteer positions that require formal training or a particular set of skills, many more opportunities require nothing other than a commitment and a desire to make a difference.  Finding the right volunteer opportunity is not difficult and there are many organizations willing to help you find just the right place to serve.

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mother who writes for a number of health and family sites. She recently completed an article on the importance of 211 software.

Creative Way to Show That You Care Without Spending a Lot

Every day, thousands of men, women and children wake up with their head on the concrete, the sound of the world rushing around them. They live in a place, a culture that is very difficult for many of us to comprehend. Most of us have a home. We have a bed, a pillow, a warm meal and a group of people that care for us. The homeless are ungrounded, unsettled and vulnerable. They are, for many different reasons, unable to function in society as most people. Although we may find it hard to believe, the reality is that we too could one day find ourselves homeless and alone. Helping those in need does not take a huge bank account or an endless amount of time. You would be surprised at how little it does take to make a big difference in the lives of another person less fortunate than yourself.

Save Your Judgment and Show Respect

One of the worst things you can ever do is judge someone who lives on the street.  Although many homeless people suffer from mental illness or addiction, many more do not. Do not assume that all people living on the street are mentally unsound or suffer from addiction. Do not ever jump to the conclusion that the homeless are ignorant or unschooled. Many homeless people were at one time extremely successful and suffered a life-changing event that altered their lives virtually overnight. As far as academic success, there are thousands of PhD recipients roaming the streets of America whose IQ blows most people out of the water. So, one way that you can help the homeless without spending a dime is to show them respect. Respect them for being human and never judge them or categorize them without first knowing the facts. If you change your attitude, you will find it much easier to smile or spend a few minutes in conversation with someone who is on the street.

Be a Voice

Frequently, the voices of the homeless go unheard. One way to bring the problem of homelessness to the forefront in your area is to be a voice. You don't have to start a raging protest or even get overly political. There are many creative ways to be a voice without even speaking. If you are an artist, use your skills and talent to speak for the homeless. Create a visual portrait of the pain and suffering to share with others. If you are a musician, create a song, or if you are a poet, write a poem. With all of the technology available today, there are many ways to get people's stories heard. Start a blog or create a short video and circulate personal stories on the Internet. Speak in your own voice in to an audience who will listen and you will have done a tremendous service for the homeless.

Be a Catalyst

So often what is lacking in areas, especially smaller towns or rural regions, is someone who will organize services for the homeless. If you live somewhere that does not have a shelter or food pantry chances are that there are hungry people all around you. Visit local grocery stores and restaurants and ask them to partner with you to help feed the homeless in your area. Often local churches or civic will supply space to feed people and most local businesses are happy to donate. Form a committee of people that care and you will be amazed at how quickly others follow.

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a homeschool mother and a freelance writer with a passion for the homeless. She recently wrote an article outlining the value of 211 Software.

Street Beat: Homeless Teens

They look much older than they really are. Lines of a hard life impressed on their young faces. Some of them are legally of age other are not there yet. All of them are struggling to make it; day-to-day, alone on the streets, each has a story to tell. Meet two of the over 2 million homeless youth that live in America today.

Marcus (18)

I have been on the streets for six years. My mother was an addict and raised me in the back of a car. I have never slept in a bed. I went to school on and off and really enjoyed the stability when I had it. My dad left the picture the day I was born, and my mother had not heard from him until I turned ten. They hooked up again, and we pretended to be a family for a little while. However, he suffered from severe depression and ended up leaving six months after he showed up. We were never sure where he went. My mother went a little wild after my dad left and got arrested for a long line of petty crime and ended up in jail. Since no one knew she had a child, I was on my own. I hooked up with some friends of my mothers who lived in a park, stayed with them for a while, and have been traveling around from city to city since that time. I have held down a few jobs, but mostly I just wander. I am not sure what the future holds for me. I would like to get my high school diploma and maybe go to college one day. Living on the streets has taught me how to be resourceful; how to stay low and how grateful I will be to one day have a real bed to sleep in.

Devon (16)

I grew up just like many other kids in America. I had a great room, cool parents, played the piano and loved my dog. I was a Girl Scout, honors student and in the photography club at school. I was secure, confident, happy and loved until my dad died in a sudden car accident and my mom had to figure out how to care for five kids, a massive mortgage and debt that she was unaware he even had. My mother had not even worked outside of the home she was always the diligent homemaker, and made sure we all had enough to eat, clean sheets and a warm hug each day. After my dad’s death, my mother became a different person and one thing led to another, and we found ourselves having to move from our suburban home to a small apartment on the other side of town. I had to go to a different school and had a hard time adjusting.  She eventually started drinking and could not hold down her job. My younger siblings went to live with relatives, but there really wasn’t room for me. I decided to stay with friends but ended up leaving shortly afterwards because I never felt accepted. I now live with a group of young people; we have different places where we stay. The nicest place I have ever stayed was in a tent for six months. That was like the Hilton compared to some of the other places I have been. My goal is to get back in school and train to be a carpenter, as I love to build stuff. I have been thinking of just showing up at school one day and hoping that someone will be able to help me. I am tired of being alone.

 

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mother with a passion for kids. She recently wrote an article on the importance of homeless shelter software.

No Roof Over Head: Growing up Homeless

Growing up is tough enough when you have loving parents and a place to lay your head each night, warm clothes, a full stomach and a daily hug. For millions of children in America who are growing up without a roof over their head, the cost is great and much more than material. Four major concerns are with regards to health, nutrition, development and psychological disturbances. Although these problems may not always be readily apparent in homeless children, they are, nonetheless a reality that must be faced.

Health and Nutrition Problems

Studies have consistently indicated that homeless children are at a much greater risk of both acute and chronic health problems than other children. Homeless women generally have babies with a low birth weight indicating problems with prenatal nutrition and care. From the beginning, homeless children’s health is compromised. Common health problems amongst homeless children include respiratory infections, skin ailments, ear infections, chronic physical disorders and gastrointestinal disorders. All of these conditions appear more frequently in homeless children than other children when compared on a national scale. A lack of emergency shelter, preventative, and curative health services contribute to the increased incidence of illness in homeless children. Poor nutrition is also a major factor in the health of any child. Homeless children are often hungry and malnourished, living on whatever food is available. Meals are often comprised of packaged and refined foods with very few vegetables, fruits, protein and whole grains.

Psychological and Developmental Problems

Homeless children are more apt than other children to be depressed, suffer from anxiety related disorders or be withdrawn and non-expressive. In a study of homeless preschoolers, Molnar (1988) stated that homeless children under five years of age demonstrated a very short attention span, delayed motor skills, inappropriate social behavior, speech delays and aggression. Homeless children often have a hard time adapting in school or social settings. School records indicate that homeless children have a higher rate of repeated grades than their peers who are not homeless. This could be due to the fact that they are often in and out of school because of illness or moving around. It is very clear that children growing up without the stability of a home are at a much greater developmental disadvantage than other children from a very early age.

How You Can Help

Homeless children are victims and should be treated as such. They are unable to help themselves and should in no way have to suffer the consequences of homelessness. If you have a local shelter in your area, consider sponsoring a child. Donate money or food to make sure that the child is well fed and receives adequate medical attention. You can also donate money or food to help a pregnant homeless woman. Adequate prenatal care is critical to the mother and child’s health. Recruit local businesses to sponsor children and lobby politicians to raise awareness regarding homeless children in your area. While it is one thing to feel sad for suffering children it is quite another to rise and face the cause head on. Very few battles have ever been won while sitting on hands!

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a homeschooling mother and freelance writer with an interest in social problems. She has written a number of articles regarding social service agencies and tools that they can use such as homeless shelter software to run a more efficient shelter.

Resources:

 http://www.visionlink.org/homeless-management.html

Just Another Stereotype

They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents and children. They
are University graduates, former business owners, victims of abuse and neglect.
They are human, just like you and I; and they are homeless. According to
a report issued by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over 643,000
people call the streets home. This number is only expected to rise as people
all over our country suffer from our frail economy. But what do you think
about when you think about the homeless? What is the first thought that
comes to mind when you see an unshaven man asleep on a bench with his bag
of belongings clasped tightly in his hand? Americans can be criticized for not
doing enough to help, but perhaps the worst criticism comes when we look at
how quickly we are to judge the homeless population and to formulate and
adhere to cultural stereotypes that in most cases are not at all an accurate
representation. Here is a brief summary of a few popular stereotypes.

Homeless People Are Drug Addicts or Alcoholics

While close to half of all homeless people may suffer from some form of
addiction, there is another half that does not. When we unfairly assume that
everyone who is homeless is homeless because of an addiction disregards the
other fifty percent of people, a large number who are women and children who
have been abused or neglected. As long as people have the unfounded belief
that all homeless people are addicted to drugs or alcohol, it will keep doors
shut and render harsh judgments on those who are not addicts.

Homeless People are Lazy

The vision of the homeless man or bum as they are often referred to sleeping in
a concrete box with “normal” people hustle and bustle around him on their was
to work allows people to quickly formulate an opinion that the man is lazy. The
truth is that many homeless people are victims of corporate downsizing through
no fault of their own. Homeless people suffer from the stereotypes associated
with homelessness and even though they may be applying for jobs everyday, it
is much more difficult for them to secure employment than for someone with
a permanent address. In addition, many homeless people actually work a job.
Statistic show that up to one-half of all homeless people actually hold down a
job but can not survive on the minimum wage they are being paid.

Homeless People are Criminals

Apart from committing status crimes such as loitering, trespassing, or sleeping
in a public place, most homeless people are not criminals. When people think
of homeless people as criminal it causes unfounded fear and creates a number
of roadblocks for people living on the street. The reality is that homeless
people are far less likely than other people to commit a serious act of crime.

Just Like You, Just Like Me

The next time you see a homeless person try to force the stereotypes from your
mind. When you see homelessness as a problem created by circumstances and
understand that it could happen anyone, it makes understanding and helping a
whole lot easier.


About the Author: Susan Patterson is a homeschool mother and freelancew writer with a
passion fo the homeless. She recently finished an article on the value of 211 Software.

Community Service and Kids: Why it is Important

We don’t have to teach our children to be narcissistic; they do a very good job

of that naturally on their own. Our job as parents is to set a great example,

being involved in community service ourselves, and ushering our children into

a life of giving. Children who are involved in community service tend to have a

much better awareness of the world around them and a greater understanding

of the plight of others. Community service also helps children learn how to

work together with others for one common purpose. When kids participate in

the community, they are no longer focused inward, but outward and become

an integral part of a team.

 
When to Get Kids Involved
 
Exposing kids to community service ventures from an early age is best. I started

taking my three children with me to the nursing home when the youngest was

just two. We would go play bingo, read stories, hold hands and sing songs. It

was two hours out of our week, a minimal investment for sure, and for the

kids and It became the best two hours. We all looked forward to going to the

home and visiting. We made friends, lost friends and developed a greater

appreciation for the elderly. My children continue to work alongside me on

a variety of community service projects each year. Although they sometimes

complain, they always have fun and have very fond memories. All of my

children are sensitive to other people, and I believe that their early volunteer

experience has made them more accepting and tuned in to the needs of others.

As a parent, I feel that we owe it to our children to show them the bigger

world, even though it is sometimes sad, it is the real world and the place that

they will one day live in as an adult.

 
Community Service Project Ideas
 
There are number community service activities that are well suited for children

and families. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does represent

the fact that there are many ways that children can serve others in their

communities.

 

• Plant a garden and give food to the hungry
• Beautify local parks and green spaces
• Pick up litter
• Make Christmas gifts for nursing home residents
• Volunteer at the local library
• Collect winter coats for children
• Fill backpacks with school supplies for children
• Take a Christmas tree and presents to a needy family
• Write letters to service men and women
• Clean a neighbors yard who can not do it themselves
• Bake cookies for local shut in’s
• Participate in National Youth Service Day in April
• Host a recycling fair
• Help children in the neighborhood learn to read
• Bake bread on National Bread Day in November and deliver it door to door
• Hold a carnival for needy kids in your neighborhood

 
Be Creative
 
Encourage children to come up with community service activities of their own.

It is amazing when a child is passionate enough about something to want to

help. Work side by side with your children to make your community a brighter

place and you will have done your children a tremendous service in teaching

them valuable life skills.

 
About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer and a homeschooling

mother. She is an advocate for community service and writes frequently for a

variety of family and health sites. She recently finished an article about the

importance of homeless shelter software to help social service agencies reach

out to more people in need.

Rural Homelessness is Real

 

When we think of homeless people we conjure up images of big cities, park benches, train stations and dark alleyways loaded with people that have no home. Although homelessness is widely an urban problem, rural people do experience homelessness. One in five rural communities has a homeless rate of 20% or more. These numbers could, in fact, be much higher because the homeless in rural areas are hard to identify and tally. Rural homelessness shares many of the same roots as its urban counterpart including domestic violence, unemployment, alcohol and drug addiction, poverty, inadequate housing and mental illness.

Rural vs. Urban Homelessness

One way that rural homelessness differs from urban homelessness is that many of those classified as homeless in rural areas are not necessarily living out in the public eye. They often live in structures that are often not fit for rats to live in. They have not electricity, no running water, no sanitation systems and are often in structurally unsound buildings. These structures are often inhabited by groups of homeless people, several families or large extended families. According to the American Housing Survey, over 1.5 million rural homes are considered substandard. American Indians live in substandard rural housing arrangements in much higher numbers than other Americans. Further complicating the problem is the fact that there are very few homeless shelters or economical rentals in livable condition located in rural communities.

Poverty

People who live in rural areas are 1.2 to 2.3 times more likely to be poor than people living in larger cities. A large number of the rural homeless are single women and children. The National Alliance on Homeless Fact Sheet states that 19% of rural children are living in poverty. These women are trying to care for their children on their own, often on meager wages, and when crisis hits, they have nowhere to turn. This could be a medical emergency, loss of a job or any other number of crises, which start a vicious escalade ending in homelessness and sometimes the loss of their children.

Lack of Services

Rural people suffer because they are removed from the bulk of social services geared towards helping the homeless. There are few, if any rural housing shelters, less access to medical care, employment assistance and a shortage of places to shower and get a hot meal. Rural areas just don’t have the nonprofit infrastructure to support homelessness like cities do. Transportation, cell phone service and the Internet is also a problem in rural communities and thus connecting those in need with services available is often difficult.

Solving the Problem

People living in rural areas must be cognizant of homelessness. Identifying people in need is the first step towards helping. Homeless people are often reluctant to leave the place that they call home no matter how substandard it is. It is critical that those living in such conditions be removed from the dwelling immediately, especially if they have children or are elderly. Assisting homeless people in rural areas requires creative networking and communication between service providers, but begins with awareness.

 

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a homeschool mother and a freelance writer with a passion for the homeless. She recently wrote an article outlining the benefits of homeless shelter software.