During this holiday season, we’re encouraging you to take steps to help people who are currently experiencing homelessness. We hope you will "be the change you want to see in this world." Each of our KNO challenges lasts for one week and we hope you will share your experience with us on Twitter and Facebook.
Did you participate in the challenge last week? If not, don’t worry. You can go ahead and join us in this week’s challenge.By now, we hope you have started to recognize the “invisible” people around you. By "invisible" people, we mean those who, on the streets of our cities, survive everyday with little access to food, shelter and proper clothing. It's so easy to feel helpless when you see them, but have you ever considered helping them in a small way?
Here's our second challenge: offer to buy a meal for someone who is currently experiencing homelessness. Your offer may be gratefully accepted or it may be dismissed--but don't be discouraged. If you can, go ahead and ask someone else. Don’t forget to share your experience with us.
Good luck completing this week’s challenge. Once you're done, be sure to share your experience with us on Twitter and Facebook by using the hashtag #KNOvember.
Comments
Since participating in a Don’t Walk By volunteer event last year, I have wanted to make conversations with homeless people, but my bashfulness and cowardice always prevented me from doing so. Late Friday night last week, again I walked by a homeless guy sitting on the street, again with that unsettling feeling. This time, however, I turned back, possibly emboldened by a few drinks I had earlier, and asked the guy if he had eaten anything, and invited him to a McDonald’s restaurant nearby. To my surprise, the conversation with him was very easy, and Joe shared with me how he ended up on the street and some of the challenges he faces each day. Through our conversation I realized that there is not much difference between homeless people and myself, just a few unfortunate events and support groups through those times. It also made me recognize my own prejudice. I will continue to pray for the courage I need to reach out to those that are often overlooked.