How to Help
It isn’t enough to want to help the homeless, many do, but unfortunately good intentions are often not enough and many people simply do not know where to begin or how to provide aid to the daunting rise of the "invisible" Americans trapped in a fatally flawed system. In this documentary-instructional video featured at the recent New York Film Festival in Los Angeles, the how to is finally addressed in frank, step-by-step footage that includes several interviews with charity organization Crossroads at Park Place, devoted to not only the allotment of provisions and care, but to ensure the dignity and human connection that is neglected even in the most well meaning individuals or organizations.
Located in Houston, TX, the documentary spans the seemingly Herculean efforts of local women coordinating efforts from the ground up. Although at times the video can seem a bit tedious, nevertheless the thoughtfulness and care given to the smallest details of gathering resources in terms of volunteers and structured man hours, goods, and the challenge of distribution to the long lines of those who need more than a handout, but a hand up finally offers a framework that is both safe for the giving and respectful to the needy.
Starting Out
The first step appears obvious, dedication and consistency. However, interviews with organizers from the charity Crossroads at Park Place, spearheaded by Margo Montgomery, this is perhaps the most crucial step as many people mean to fulfill the obligation, but due to busy lives, conflicting schedules and the like fall to the wayside too early for the efforts to be realized. This can create chaos for the homeless who desperately require structure and trust in their lives that lack both on the inner streets. Trust is gained only by consistency, a positive show of effort and in time familiar faces that become a human connection and a support system.
Scouting out a Location
The second step is scouting an area that is in need. Many of these places are in our own backyard, but as the women of Crossroads suggest it is better to target shelters, soup kitchens and churches where the homeless already congregate regularly and where volunteers from these places may already be at hand. Helping individuals may seem like a good idea, but as the organizers point out it does not nearly hit the tip of the iceberg and can put both the giver and the recipient at risk. Exercising caution and good judgment is paramount to effectively meet the needs of the homeless and to keep grassroots efforts running smoothly and is addressed throughout the video.
Collecting Goods
After organizers have found a location, the next step is to collect goods. This may be the most enlightening aspect of the video, as the women take the audience on a casual trip through a local 99 Store. At times, many of their suggestions are obvious such as toilet paper, but as they explain the need to give individual rolls as opposed to a 4-Pack, or to give individual sized toiletries, etc. the tips they provide in an easy to follow manner become less intuitive such as providing soft fresh fruit like a banana instead of apples or pears, because of the lack of dental care the homeless suffer from. Providing foot powder because of the grueling demand on their feet in ill fitting shoes, placing masking tape on clothes such as jeans with sizes for easy distribution and sorting, including plastic raincoats or parkas, comforters, and even chap-stick because of the exposure to the elements all ensure that the homeless will receive goods that are necessary for survival, rather than items that do not meet their particular needs. All the goods are collected into sturdy, weather resistant knapsacks or book bags for them to carry as many must live a nomadic life on the streets and cannot be burdened with scattered goods.
Again, this may seem logical, and arguably this trip to the store is a bit overdone, but it does shed light on what is vital as opposed to superfluous. Adding other items such as makeup for women, cologne for men and other small but thoughtful items can bring a much needed smile to one who has lost so much but the necessary must always trump the incidentals.
Sorting it Out
After collecting the goods, the women show how to sort and arrange, color code and tag the bags so that distribution can be efficient and personal. Many charities simply do not have the time or the manpower to offer this kind of human touch. The women of Crossroads work diligently to ensure that the homeless are treated like individuals and not a mass, giving bags based on gender and age when possible. Although more men tend to end up homeless than women, nevertheless there are a rising number of women and children living on the streets. It is vital to provide all needs to all people as this documentary points out, and the differences may seem too subtle to address, but when the distribution of these bags are shown and the otherwise "invisibles" are suddenly brought to light by the gratitude of this kind of care, the extra time seems more than well worth it and supports the mission statement of Crossroads, underlying all that they do, namely to provide respect and dignity to all those who are in need.
Distribution
The distribution of goods is done at a set time and must be consistent. Extra volunteers may be required to organize lines and offer any supplemental goods if available. Whatever the ability of volunteers may be, they must be consistent as this aid will be relied on in time. Trust and caution are two of the biggest obstacles many people face when trying to help, but being reliable and firm establishes a foundation from which both the volunteers and the needy can build on.
"Otis"
In the documentary, an interview with "Otis" a homeless man that counts on the efforts of Crossroads reveals not only the gratitude, but the need to rely on this effort when it is provided. He admits that there is little else available, and certainly nothing that treats him like an individual. He brings with him a recently homeless man, and the women discover his shoe size and provide him clean jeans to the surprise and gratitude of one who has slipped through the cracks of the system.
Personal Safety
Precaution and personal safety is once again dealt in a frank but crucial manner. The stereotype and misnomer that many of the homeless are mentally challenged, violent, criminal or addicts can often stop many people from offering assistance. This is perhaps the most pervasive and ugliest aspect of how the homeless are viewed by society and it is simply untrue. But common sense must also be applied, and the women do not turn a blind eye to a rather sensitive subject, rather they reveal their ability to give aid without risk to themselves while dispelling this troubling assumption. Many of the people who received aid have recently become homeless, and many are educated, hard working people such as a culinary chef who through a stroke of bad incidents now struggles on the streets of Houston. The homeless are not to be feared, and in the documentary it is the homeless who are often suspicious and wary because they have been let down by an unfeeling system and are the castaways of a self-centered attitude prevailing in our country.
Connecting
This video does not attempt to tackle the why, which makes this instructional documentary so unique and necessary for those who wish to help. This is a useful tool for church organizations, women’s groups such as the Red Hat Society, and other network outreach programs. This is not a video meant for entertainment and it does not leave an audience with a warm, cuddly feeling but rather challenges each of us to gather up resources and people and to give back to an invisible community that needs more than food, clothes and toiletries, but a connection with those who have a willing spirit and an endless drive to make the "invisible" visible once again.
If you would like to learn more about Crossroads at Park Place please visit www.crossroadsatparkplace.org
To find out more about the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival visit www.nyfilmvideo.com
I am extremely grateful that someone took the time to review this film by Louell Crowley. Homelessness in the U.S. is widely prevalent and I was touched and inspired by Acquiring a Connection With the American Homeless. It might not be a masterpiece in terms of production value but at least the plight of the homeless is powerfully highlighted and the doc also contains clear and useful instructions on how we can effectively help them. Keep up the good work.