H is for Homeless

Today is ABC Wednesday and this round we are featuring causes.

'H' is for 'homelessness'. One can't assume that the man in the photo is homeless; however, pushing a shopping cart full of clothing down the main street of town indicates that, likely, this man is in need. When we were photographing on Monday afternoon, it was extremely windy. The man would push his cart forward a few steps and his hat would blow off of his head. He would chase it back for half a block and then walk on to retrieve his cart. Seeing this process, time after time, until he finally gave up on wearing his hat, painted a perfect picture of his life-- arduous. To walk a mile in his shoes would be to see just how hard one works to live out of a cart.

Greensboro organizations that work hard to help the homeless are Urban Ministry, the Homeless Prevention Coalition, and Partners Ending Homelessness. Acording to a News & Record article last year, Greensboro is making headway on reducing homelessness (more here) and we have a ten year plan for ending homelessness. However, current data reveal the number of homeless public school students has increased by 48% since 2008. Can you imagine helping your child do homework living un an abandoned building? Can you imagine which of your possessions you would keep should you have to limit your belongings to that which would fit in a cart? If you are in a position to help, those well-established organizations, like Urban Ministry or the Salvation Army, are sure bets to stretch your donation dollars for the homeless.

Comments

[Carver]

It is heartbreaking to think about school children being homeless. It's heartbreaking to think of anyone being homeless for that matter. Good that there are people and organizations that try to help. Too bad our local and federal governments in the U.S. often do so little to help with this problem. Carver, ABC Wednesday Team

[Jane Mitchell]

The link to the News & Record article does show help from the federal and local governments-- "Guilford has received millions in federal aid and community grants."

[Oakland Daily Photo]

There is so much want in a nation so rich. I still don't understand it.

[Roger Green]

It's absurd that there are so many homeless in this wealthy land.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

[Gigi Ann]

Homelessness is a sad thing, that almost every country has to try and deal with. In the times we live in, where everything is almost out of the reach of many to buy. Yes I agree it is a sad situation.