I think some or a lot of people get things wrong when
thinking of helping Homeless or People in Need. I have gotten so many times
people saying “I want to help, but what do I say or how should I say it?”
Bernie the Polite Girl and I just helped a girl to get on
her feet in a huge way, then on the way home I got a call asking that very
question in a round about way. I must say I shake my head sometimes and think how
wrong this is.
Firstly I’m going to say something I say often, “Homeless
People” is just words for someone going through tough times and for some or a
lot they have given up on themselves , but if you take the word “Homeless” you
are left with the one word “People”.
The same people you could be sit next to on a bus or even someone you work
with. What I’m trying to say is a lot of Homeless I’ve meet and there’s been a
lot have had regular lives but something happen and they ended up in a downward
spiral to become homeless.
This may sound harsh but imagine a family member hitting
hard times and not asking for help or NOT getting it and become Homeless, how
would you like others to see or treat them? I guess I’m saying when asking how
to talk to a person that’s Homeless think about how you would talk to your best
friend that hit hard times. They are people.
Now I really hope that helped and some of you will start thinking
of Homeless differently.
I’m going to write about a female I meet last week, I had
walked past her and to me it seemed clear she was having a really bad day, I
politely asked her if she was okay and quickly started a chat about how hot the
weather is, within minutes I learnt how she moved from NSW last week to escape
a horrible violent relationship and had left with a small bag. I talked about
different services around for her but quickly felt trust was a problem. So I
did what I do best offered to buy her a cup of coffee and gave her a card with
my phone number and said to call anytime she needed a friend, because we are
now “Best Friends” because I was the only person she knew in Brisbane, (with a
smile and joking) but before I left I said I’d help her to get on her feet as
long as she helped herself as well.
She called and I was so happy that she trusted me. I called
Bernie the Polite Girl straight away because everyone knows females relate to
females better, it’s a girlie thing haha.
This girl is staying in a Lodge but I’m proud to say she is
starting her NEW job tomorrow, Bernie and I meet up with her today all excited,
we sat eating lunch while talking about her new start in life and what was
next. To our surprise she said she has 20hrs a week work BUT she asked for help
getting weekend work so she may get on her feet faster. This girl could have easily
hit harder times being Homeless but a few coffees and a helping hand from
Bernie and I things are looking awesome.
Excited about her getting a new job Bernie and I put enough
money on her Go-Card to get to work, food for work and lodge, much needed
toiletries including female pads which we get asked a lot for because there
needed so much when needed.
Both females got excited about going clothes shopping which
I put my head down and tried to hide so I not invited haha
Before Bernie and I left she kept saying thank you and what
could she do to repay what we were doing, Bernie said the same she always says “When
you get on your feet, like really on your feet, do the same for someone else
that really needs it” I have no doubt that she will help someone else in the
future after she gets on her feet.
But I haven’t told you the best part, this girl was so
thankful that within the first hour of leaving I got 3 thank you texts. I have
to say reading them and knowing we done good was worth all the time, money and
effort helping her. I know I’ll be seeing her a lot over the next few weeks
just to be there for her as a friends mostly, but I look forward to seeing her stand
proud again.
Now I didn’t write this so people will think I’m awesome. I
wrote this so people can see how easy it is to really make a difference to
someone’s life. There is people everywhere needing help, other people’s family members.
If you want to know how to help the Homeless, here’s a great
start, say “Hi”
Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you have a great
day. If you like my writing or what I do to help others please donate using the
donation button.
Grant Richards
Grant the Polite Guy
0412 190 011
