Generous Spirits Abound During Holiday Season, Benefiting Everybody
Title: A Warm, Holiday Season for New York's Homeless - My Personal Journey
Introduction
snap out of itEver noticed how people tend to become a little nicer during the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas? It's a time when friends, family, and even strangers show their gratitude through gifts and good cheer. But what about those who don't have that warmth - both literally and emotionally? In a city like New York, with skyscrapers reaching for the sky, phones getting weirder by the minute, and politics getting heftier than a Thanksgiving turkey, one thing that has yet to change is homelessness.
The Idea
Kickstart my engineHomelessness can happen to anyone, for a variety of reasons - from job loss to mental illness. Once a person finds themselves without a home, they're slapped with a single label.
Homeless.
It's funny, isn't it? I wouldn't introduce myself as "Bea, the sheltered one." But when I see a person sleeping on the streets or holding up a sign, that's all I can see - "an unsheltered person." I figured it was high time to change that.
With the holiday season approaching, I decided to assemble ten care packages filled with essential items and take them out to homeless individuals throughout the city. I was determined to talk to them, to break down the barriers we all may inadvertently put up in the bustling city. I hoped that by doing so, I could truly see them - not as labels but as real people, with their own stories and struggles.
Covering the basicsInitially, I went a little crazy on Amazon, creating care packages that topped a grand. But after some research and reality-checking, I narrowed down the contents to items that would be both practical and meaningful: a hat, a pair of gloves, hygiene items, a snack, and some sweets. It was a harsh reminder that I couldn't change their lives, but I could at least try to help a little.
The Walk
Rain, sleet, or snow, I packed my gifts into three massive bags and braced myself for the unexpected.
My head was swirling with all sorts of "What if" scenarios, from being rebuffed to encountering danger. Finally, I found myself on Fifth Avenue and 90th Street, in the "upper crust" of Manhattan, where beneath a clump of tattered blankets, a man was sleeping.
Saying hello is the hardest partApproaching someone and saying, "I have a present for you," isn't easy, but I had my gifts, my plan, and there was nothing I could do but go for it.
I stumbled upon a man who looked chilled to the bone, but when I offered him my gift, he took it gratefully, his hands worn and frigid. As I watched him take the gift and walk away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had barely scratched the surface of his story.
Throughout my journey, I passed dozens of individuals who were begging for help and living on the streets. I made it a point to look each of them in the eye, and I could feel a twinge of guilt tugging at my heartstrings as I kept moving. I only had ten gifts.
Takeaways
Shocker of the centuryHomeless individuals in New York City, especially during cold weather, most need practical items to address their basic survival and comfort needs. Items like warm clothing, blankets, non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, and sturdy shoes can make a significant impact.
Although my journey only touched the lives of a handful of individuals, I realized that each one was as complex and resilient as anyone else. It was a humbling reminder that we are all connected, and there's always more we can do to help our fellow humans in need.
Source:
[1] "Homelessness in New York City." Coalition for the Homeless. (n.d.). https://coalitionforthehomeless.org/data-on-homelessness/
[2] "Get Involved: Donate." Catholic Charities of New York. (n.d.). https://www.ccny.org/ways-to-give/donate/
[3] "Holiday Essentials." The Bowery Mission. (n.d.). https://www.bowery.org/get-help/residential-services/bowery-men-s-shelter/holiday-essentials/
[4] "Donation Drive for iNYC." The New York Foundling. (n.d.). https://www.newyorkfoundling.org/donate/item/18-donation-drive-for-inyc
[5] "How to Help Homeless People This Holiday Season." Thrive Global. (2019, November 14). https://thriveglobal.com/articles/how-to-help-homeless-people-this-holiday-season/
Tags- homelessness- social issues- compassion- community- holiday season
- The news spotlight this holiday season shines on New York's homeless community, a pressing social issue that requires compassion and community support.
- Life's beautiful features, such as the warmth of fashion-and-beauty items and the comfort of food-and-drink, can be essential in helping those who are homeless.
- With relationships already heated up during the holiday season, it's essential to remember our fellow humans, such as homeless individuals, as we gather around the dinner table.
- What better way to celebrate the holidays than by giving back to pets, people, and the environment with donations to organizations that help the homeless?
- Struggling with mental illness or job loss can throw anyone into homelessness, but help is available. Cars and shopping centers can even provide resources and employment opportunities for the homeless.
- As we plan our travel itinerary this holiday season, let us not forget that a simple gesture, like donating to a local non-profit, can go a long way in helping those in need.
- The holiday season can be a challenging time for those experiencing homelessness, but a forecast of warmer weather and kinder hearts leaves us with hope for a brighter future for all.
