Young, Old, and In Between

When you picture a homeless person in America, what do you see? 

Probably something like this... right?

If everything you know about homelessness is based on the people you see on the streets, then you're not getting the complete picture. 

Like this:

This:

And this:

So here's a challenge: spend a few hours of your day volunteering at a drop-in soup kitchen (make sure it's not just a gender- or population-specific organization). Spend a few hours serving food, chatting with guests, and getting a real feeling for the face of homelessness in your community.

You'll see all types of faces. Young. Old. In between. People from all walks of life. 

You might wonder how these people wound up in a soup line. You might make judgments, which you'll later question. Their faces will stay with you. You'll wonder what becomes of each person you see: do they become housed? Or does being homeless on the streets or in a shelter prove too tough to overcome? 

Carrie Cuppernoll of the Oklahoma News wrote a great little piece about her revelations while serving food at a soup kitchen. Here's an excerpt:

Serving food at the City Rescue Mission homeless shelter, I didn't think of children. But one of the first people through the line was a grade-schooler peeking at me through the foggy serving line glass. I waved at him and he ducked inside his puffy coat. He peered out, grinning and giggling.

Give it a try. Volunteer. Go beyond the streets and into shelters, soup kitchens, counseling centers, and other organizations serving homeless people in your community. Chances are, you'll be surprised by what you see and hear.

And once that happens, share your thoughts with me at shannon@change.org.