New York City is filled with a varied assortment of homeless, from the obviously drug addict/alcoholic types to the under thirties to mothers with and without children to the disabled and everything in between. That said, when one encounters a pan handler sitting or standing with a sign detailing their hard luck story, I like most New Yorkers just keep walking,
And we don’t just keep walking because we are heartless to the homeless but cynical of their plight.
How do I know that person is going spend the money on drugs or alcohol or just trying to scam us with their “I have three kids but no place to live story.”
I have experienced too many instances of supposedly sad looking pregnant women walking the neighborhood looking neither pregnant nor downtrodden.
That all said, I don’t want to impart my cynicism or social commentary on my daughter, She has plenty of time to figure it out.
As we pass by homeless people all the time, you just never know how kids will react when they do see them but this past week, my daughter insisted on giving a homeless man at the park her leftover bag of Pirate Booty puffs. I tried to discourage her thinking puffs doesn’t seem substantial but she was determined to give to him.
As she handed it to him, he said “God Bless You.”
She just looked at me with the biggest smile and sense of achievement, “I really want to help the homeless.”
I thought to myself, I really do hope she never loses her empathy for those less fortunate than her and becomes just another thoughtless and selfish teenager.
Ever the capitalist, I offhandedly mention ” you may want to think about making a lot of money so you can help more people.”
“Good idea, ” she responded.
But don’t worry, I plan on finding a volunteer organization we can both support.
Any suggestions on non-profits that help the homeless especially homeless kids would be fantastic.
