At the risk of this being unpopular, I want to put my money where my mouth is, that government backed social programs aren't necessary in place of individual charities and voluntary contributions to help the needy.

The problem is I don't really know what the best use of my personal money is to help with issues of homelessness around King County and WA state. I was wondering if this forum had any ideas.

Having tried to help on an individual basis, through national organizations, and through my church, I can tell you that I prefer to contribute to local shelters. I feel the huge overhead (salaries) and admin fees do not play such a diluting effect on my contribution.

Perhaps naive, but that is where I am currently.

Volunteer, at least once, somewhere near you.

If you’re in King County, within 10 miles of you, there are a myriad of places that help the homeless.

The challenge, as most of the spokespeople for such issues say, is that 70-80% of homeless people have mental issues, drug issues, or both. Combine that with a high percentage of sexual assaults and thefts in some of the shelters, and there’s a lot of reluctance for what most of us would deem real help. As odd as it may seem to us, they’d rather be outside and left alone.

But you can help.

If you volunteer with a service, church, or food program, you can see firsthand what works, and talk to people who can help in your research on how to, and then you can decide how best to use your resources of time and/or money

Many will take a meal, coat, clothing, etc., but they don’t want to be herded or forced into a shelter, and many shelters won’t let them bring everything in their cart, or their violent, best-friend, fellow homeless person, girlfriend, etc., ...

And a good number have been in shelters, but wouldn’t follow the rules, so are no longer welcome.

But volunteering, say, for Northwest Harvest, Union Gospel Mission, or your local church, you can see firsthand what works, and what doesn’t.

If you just want to write a check, your local church, Northwest Harvest, or Union Gospel Mission are good places to start.

This is significantly more helpful than I expected. Thank you,

.......

A Seattle Group has in the last 6 months/year actually helped the homeless.

I think it was Seattle Homeless Outreach...run by a lady.

Last week or the week before The City Of Seattle served her with a Cease and Desist order...in effect making it against the law for that group to help people or clean encampments.

This organization of volunteers went above and beyond...cleaning tons of trash, and re-homing the actual people.

The Lady has been on the Dori Monson Show.





Be ready for the Seattle City crushing any effort you produce .......

,....


Nope it was 'We Heart Seattle'....

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/volunt ... eir%20work.

After dealing with homeless people, drug addicts and other underworld people on a daily basis for the last 7 years. I haven’t had to many positive interactions. I would guess 95% of them are there by their own bad decisions. Most won’t accept any real help, but gladly take handouts. There are quite a few that have more disposable money than I have! I have seen firsthand several whip out a roll of cash big enough to choke a mule. They are in their place in life by choice. F**k ‘em.

My GF and some of her friends cook up meals and visit homeless camps.
Serve over 100 meals on the days they do this.
Said they are very thankful.

Want to help them?
Stop helping them.
As soon as they will run out of all given food and money, they will start taking care of themselves.
Seriously, the last time I have checked, there were 10.4 million job vacancies in the US.

Professional panhandlers maybe, but something like half of the chronically homeless have mental health problems and more than a third have drug addictions.
That doesn't get resolved by doing nothing.

Yawn.
Sorry, I’m not buying it.

I have to agree with this one. My hunting partner is a (former) Mental Health / Homeless Counselor. He found that over 70% don't want any help.
He also have seen some pack some serious cash.

Giving cash to beggars is a bad thing to do, most use the funds to get high.

If you feel the need to do something, volunteer at a kitchen or shelter. They always need manpower or funds. They won't waste your time or money. Most shelters are not flush with either.

Shelters or Counselors have resources that are available for those that really want help. But they have to make the effort. Most don't.

Yep.

Ya, I'd guess that 95% of the people on the streets have a home to go to.
Some don't because they can't shoot up drugs there, and they steal peoples shit.
There are the professional panhandlers who just see it as performance art.
There are organized panhandlers with a route, dropped off at their spot in a van with their props. A kid, sign, dog, and a phone that takes credit cards.
If you give them cash, it just prolongs their miserable existence.
Although some of them can make $400/day tax free.
Notice that there aren't many panhandlers out at night?
They all went home.
Yep, help is available for those that want it, especially the single moms.

King County's disastrous 15 years of making more homeless.
Back in the day they used to take them into detox, or throw them in a van and drop them off in Tacoma. Which promptly brought them back.
https://weheartseattle.org/2020/12/20/h ... d-seattle/