What You Can Do to Help the NYC Homeless This Thanksgiving

Homelessness.

No on ever expects it. No one ever deserves it. Often times we shove it to the back of our growing list of problems. There are other things we want to worry about. During the winter here in Manhattan, we are constantly reminded of it. It doesn't take that much to do something about it, so here are some ideas of things that you can do to ensure that once they are off the street for the night, they can stay off the street for a long time.

Lesson One: Volunteerism

The greatest benefit of volunteering is the benefit that you garner from actually making a difference. Five hours a week goes a long, long way, too. There are literally hundreds of agencies and non-profits that could use a volunteer in New York County alone. Any of the agencies would be more than happy to have some help. You might need to fill out some paperwork so they can check you out in some instances, but most don't put you through the hassle. The best way to get started is to contact the head of the agency field office directly and ask how you can help. If you aren't sure who that might be, then drop by. That will actually give you a chance to check the place out and see for yourself how it works and maybe even figure out where your skills could come in handy.

Volunteering has additional benefits you might not know about or might not have considered. The ancillary benefits including meeting new people. More importantly, you'd be meeting people of substance who are also volunteers or work in these agencies as a career, not to mention getting to know the folks you'd be there to help. The people might be potential employers, potential buddies for other activities, and, daresay, even life mates.