Experiences
We all have experiences with homeless people. Some of us, because we are homeless.
Recently I had an interesting experience. An older lady approached me at the entrance of a store, "Can I trouble you for some help mister?" She asked. I thought she was going to ask for money. I didn't judge, I just listened, "My back is hurting me and I need help crossing the street." Ok, not a problem, I enjoy helping someone who has a genuine need. She stopped halfway down the block, "I hate to say it, but there is something else." I was expecting her to now ask me for money after she established the relationship of helping. "I was shopping and I have three bags of groceries that I couldn't carry, because my back is hurting." I am now thinking she wants me to go back and buy the groceries. "Let's get across the street and get you home and then we will figure out the groceries." I tell her.
She agrees and I discover that across the street is an retirement home. We find a nurse that can check in with her and I go back to the grocery store and find the groceries under an old parked van where she said she had left them.
Don't judged, listen.