The Road (Trip) Home

why it's important:

I know what it feels like to be all alone, to feel like I might as well just crawl in a sewer and live there for the rest of my life, to see people pass me by trying to avoid eye contact. I'm doing well now and I want someone else to do well too. The only person who ever gave me something was a homeless man. See the story here: http://theroadtriphome.blogspot.com/2009/11/do-something-good-with-it.html

the plan of action:

So far this charity is only in it's conception stage, but I am hoping to really kick it off starting the first week of this December. My ideas for it are a little sparatic right now but I am confident that it will work out and improve as I proceed. I also depend on my supporters to give more ideas and advice on those that I already have.

The main concept is to help out homless people in any way that I can for now and hopefully open a homeless-home, as opposed to just a shelter, where people really feel welcome and loved. I will make a seperate post later to further explain all the dimensions of this home.

For now, what I want to do is go out on the road to different cities, focusing on those that do not have a lot of, if any at all, resources for people in need. Large cities have shelters and outreach programs but a majority of smaller cities and towns do not.

One idea that I have had for a very long time is to collect memoribilia and souveniers as well as going to yard sells and then put them up for auction online, probably e-bay. I would then use those funds and the funds from my donators to help out the people in need that I look for.

Some of the things I would do is:

Make up bags of small items like a rain poncho, toothpaste, tooth brush, deoderant, disposable razors, socks, underwear, etc.
Bag meals and hand them out
Help them out for a few days with transportation and help filling out paperwork so they can get government assistance
Get them necessary documents like state id renewal, social security card if they do not have one, etc. Many have lost these items over the years, so it is impossible to get a head start on even the possibility of any job without help.
Just spend time with them getting to know them and their individual needs, letting them know that they are cared for.
Find people who are on the verge of becoming homeless and get them out of that downward spiral.

how you can get involved:

By gathering homeless resources for me, letting me know who needs/wants help, giving me more ideas on what I can do or how I can do what I am doing better, donating, spreading the word about my blog so that more people see it. Anything.