Do your part to help Oklahomans facing homelessness.
Help people experiencing homelessness in Lawton, Okla., by first learning their needs. Categorize their needs by what can help them today and what will help them to overcome homelessness. Think of ways you can help by considering all of your available resources. Resources may be monetary or they may be your talents. Consider what you can bring to the table and individually help the homeless or volunteer with an organization.
Instructions
1. Fill hungry stomachs by making sandwiches and cookies and taking them to the homeless. Call shelters in Lawton like the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter or the C Carter Crane Shelter to find out days or times when meals are not offered and where people experiencing homelessness congregate. For a sense of community spirit and safety, gather a group of family and friends to help.
2. Direct a homeless person to a shelter. If you run across a person who could benefit from a place to sleep at night, warm meals and clothing, call the C Carter Crane Shelter or the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter in Lawton to find out about availability and length of stay rules. Should a homeless individual need transportation to the shelter, ask the shelters if they provide transportation or pay for a taxi ride for the individual.
3. Employ the homeless. Help end homelessness by employing or offering job training. If you are aware of a job that would be a good fit for a homeless individual you know, help to set up the interview. Offer interview suits and coaching on necessary job interviewing skills. If you don't know a homeless individual, donate unwanted work attire to a shelter. There may be an individual in your exact size in need of professional wear to jump start his career.
4. Buy new or give lightly used clothing to the homeless. Purchase items like socks and underwear in large quantities for both adults and kids or donate clothes from your closet. These items can be dropped off at shelters. Check first with shelters to get a list of needed items before purchasing items.
5. Offer a homeless person a phone call. The National Coalition for the Homeless suggests offering to let homeless individuals make a call to loved ones on holidays. Often homeless people are disconnected from family and friends and have little or no opportunities to contact them, or for that matter, be reached. Make their day and offer up a single call on your cell phone or purchase calling cards. These prepaid minutes can be used on most landlines and can be purchased online or at your local supermarket and can be donated to a shelter or agency helping the homeless.
6. Volunteer your time and talents at shelters. Sorting clothing and cooking meals can be just a couple of ways to help. Call ahead of time to coordinate a time to volunteer.
Tags: homeless individual, Army Homeless, Army Homeless Shelter, Carter Crane, Carter Crane Shelter, Crane Shelter, experiencing homelessness