Changing the Conversation

Right before my eyes, I have seen the numbers of people asking for money increase in New Bedford, MA. Seven years ago, you might have seen two or three people a month. Now, there are four at a single intersection every day.

You may ask, how do I interact with these individuals? Do I give money, or will they just spend it on drugs and alcohol? Do I provide food? Do I put my head down and pretend I don’t see them at all? Are they even homeless? Am I being played? Depending on whom you ask, you will most likely get a different answer. The Center for Social Innovation and t3 have a wealth of knowledge about homelessness. So, I asked my colleagues, what do they do when someone asking for money approaches them? There were many different opinions, but five patterns arose.

At t3, we strongly believe that homelessness is not a November to January issue. It persists throughout our country in frightening and staggering numbers all year round.

It is 2014, not 1980. We know more about HIV and AIDS than ever before. We know what causes it, we know how to prevent it, and we know how to help those living with this illness lead longer, fuller, more meaningful lives.

Education is one of the strategies for breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness in our country. I grew up near Baltimore, MD, moved to Worcester, MA for college, and have since made a life for myself in New Bedford, MA. All three of these cities struggle with poverty, homelessness, and failing public school systems. With graduation rates below and poverty rates above the national average, the connection between a good education and ending the cycle of poverty became clear to me.