Most shelters or kitchens that deal with homeless youth will have informational pamphlets available. Reputable organizations like the National Coalition for the Homeless also feature valuable information on their websites. [2] X Research source
A major part of advocating for the homeless is using respectful terminology. Instead of “street kid” or “vagrant,” use phrases like “children experiencing homelessness. ”[4] X Research source
If a colleague makes a generalization like, “All homeless people are lazy,” you might counter with “A lot of homeless youth don’t have the resources to help themselves, and others have substance abuse problems or emotional health concerns. “[5] X Research source Almost 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ—others constitute racial minorities. Being sensitive and informed about the special challenges facing minority homeless youth can help you better serve them.
Consider inviting the director of a homeless youth center to come speak at your workplace or a community center. Ask them to hold a Q and A session to address the challenges facing homeless children. If you decide to host an informative gathering, consider inviting a young person who has experienced homelessness to speak about their experiences and educate the audience about how to be sensitive to the needs of homeless youth.
No matter how passionately you may feel about circulating information on youth homelessness, try your best to be tactful and sensitive about it. Friends and coworkers may respond better to the occasional email or brochure than a constant inundation of suggestions and statistics.
Undertaking short fasts, such as skipping one meal in a day, can cause people to stop and think about what life is like for children who are hungry on a regular basis. Experiences like these can often teach more effectively than a conference or brochure.
Working with homeless children directly usually requires that you be at least 18 years of age and pass a background check. If you’re planning on volunteering at a homeless shelter, be prepared to meet these criteria.
When recruiting others to donate their time or resources, be respectful of their boundaries. Not everyone is comfortable spending long periods of time at shelters or offering up their professional skills, so don’t demand that they do so right away.
Well known organizations like Stand Up For Kids, Habitat for Humanity, or Housing Families have the experience needed to effectively make use of their donations. When in doubt, donate to a well respected institution. Many charities offer the opportunity to sponsor a child. This method of donation can be particularly helpful as it allows a child the benefit of one patron they can look up to. Research sponsorship to see if it’s right for you.
Another great way to give to homeless children is by donating clothes, diapers, shoes, and hygiene items. Donate hand-me-downs to a clothing drive or make a gift of new toothbrushes to a homeless youth center to increase a charity’s resources and their potential to help homeless children.
