It doesn’t take much to lose the roof over your head. A chronic illness, the loss of a job, family breakdown—so many factors… . Domestic violence is also one of the leading causes of homelessness.
People experiencing homelessness often feel exhausted and invisible. Everyone wants to be loved, acknowledged, and respected.
A small but significant way that I have found to help is to just carry a few water bottles with you when you’re out walking. I carry them in a cloth bag, and toss a few freezer packs in, too. Hydration is so important, but often a challenge to procure for those living on the street. An added but significant benefit is the opportunity to have a conversation with the recipient, thus acknowledging them and validating that they are not invisible.
Earlier this week, I was walking with my 4 1/2-year-old granddaughter, carrying water. When she handed a man his bottle of water, he looked at her while expressing thanks, and she simply said “We are both the same.”
Audrey Fleming
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Jul 13-23, 2017.