Before I became a copywriter, I worked as a social worker, less than a mile from where the agency is now. Part of my job involved walking two blocks over to the Urban Ministries of Durham and talking with people hanging around outside, getting to know them and trying to convince them to come in for mental-health evaluations.
Sometimes they would agree to come in. More often they wouldn't. Sometimes it took people a while to open up, but once they realized I really wanted to know, the stories would come pouring out. I talked to a family of five who were all living in a tiny car. I talked to guys who had been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment, then dropped off in front of the shelter as soon as they were stabilized. I talked to women went without eating so their children would have clothes that didn't mark them as poor. I talked to people who had tried crack once and discovered that once was all it took.
More than anything else, the people I spoke to told me about feeling invisible, about feeling like the world didn't have space for them anymore. So, when we had the chance to develop a campaign for the Urban Ministries of Durham, that's where we started.
An increase in demand combined with a decrease in charitable giving means Urban Ministries is dealing with some tough realities. But it doesn't take much to turn that around. According to Executive Director Patrice Nelson, if everyone in Durham gave $5, Urban Ministries would fulfill their budget for the rest of the year.
You don't have to give money to the next person you see panhandling at an intersection. But you don't have to feel guilty and look away, either. Give money to Urban Ministries of Durham. Or volunteer your time.
Even if you don't do anything else, do this: Meet their eyes.
Say hello.
Be human.
Be kind.