Poverty

In this season where gratitude is of focus, reflect on a time you encountered homelessness or a homeless person. Is this an issue of concern for you? Why or why not?

When I went to Mexico I encountered my first homeless experience. I mean, I obviously knew about homeless people and saw them on TV. It truly is sad. Whether the person has a mental disability, or they are so sick and tired of life that they just want to spend all their money on alcohol. I do not like seeing people in pain, and I am one of those people who would try to help someone no matter what. Unfortunately you can only help those who are ready to change. I was about 11 or 12 when I went to Mexico on vacation, and I happened to take a bus with my family. Well, we arrived in the city of Monteray (not sure how it really is spelled) and had to take a taxi to the place we were staying. On our way from the station to the taxis there were so many homeless people. There was one woman in particular who looked so sad and helpless and I begged my mom to give her some money. My mom told me to never give out money to a homeless person with others around because than all the others will fallow you and beg.

Another time I ran into a homeless person was in Baltimore. I was with my family at the inner harbor and a man was sitting on the sidewalk. We gave him a decent amount of money to try and help him out, and we later saw that he spent it on alcohol. Of course we were upset, but in a way I was more disappoined than anything. I just think it is so sad to be stuck in a situation like that. Even if the person wants to live that way, I feel people who make a living off of begging for money and choose to live on the street are ill and just happened to travel down the wrong path.
I think America needs more facilities to help these people. Not just to feed them, clothe them, and bathe them, but a rehabilitation center that provides them counseling and classes to teach them how to use their full potential.