What is this invisible barrier that keeps us from making genuine connection with folks living on the street? For some it's fear, for others it's judgement, but when a person decides to overcome those instincts in the spirit of love, everything begins to change. Because things aren't always as they appear.

Some stereotypes that I don’t believe are: people who are homeless are lazy or stupid, are all drug addicts or crazy, just need to get a job, or are dangerous. The people I know who are homeless or have been homeless are strong, smart, resilient, compassionate, resourceful and help others out because they know what it’s like to have need. Most people have a great amount of empathy and seek to protect the people they trust and work harder than most people I know. If there are drug addictions, they are often connected to a great deal of trauma and self-medicating to lessen the hurt. Most of the time with love and compassion shown towards them, they experience healing and come to need substances less because they receive comfort in healthier ways.
‍_{- Rose}

Empathy and compassion begin as a choice. At first, that choice seems scary and unnatural, but we are all capable of making small changes that push our comfort zone to new and beautiful places.

Keeping our eyes and the eyes of our heart open to see the need around us will help in finding someone living outside. There is a lot of need, and it can be hard to navigate where to start and how to jump in. There is an excitement in the willingness. Maybe going for a walk around where you live or around the cities, or asking a friend who is involved in outreach where they have met someone living outside. It helps to have others with you, as I have James and Avia [my husband and daughter]; we work as a team.
‍_{- Mischa}

The power of genuine connection goes so far. Do you routinely see the same person on the same corner? Maybe they are on your way home from work everyday. Try introducing yourself to them, and building a relationship in small moments.

I am seeking to look them in the eyes with love and compassion, which neurologically brings healing and peace. My main goal is to build a safe space for them to know they are loved and seen. If it’s a situation where I know I’ll see the person regularly I try to build trust and a good relationship to see where God could lead that connection. Sometimes they will express a need, like money, food or water, and I’ll try to have something to offer, as I believe it is giving a drink or food to Jesus himself (Matthew 25:40) my heart in the connection is for them to know they have worth and value. We really all are the “last of these” in need of care from those around us. I pray interactions are healing.
_{‍- Rose}

We've all been at that stoplight, our heart goes out to the person, but we aren't sure how to act on it. Having a plan can help. You could keep some care packages in your car, so they are ready to give when the opportunity comes. Here’s a partial list of suggested items that you could assemble:

Wool socks, Candles, and Hand and food warmers (in the winter)
Hand sanitizer, Bus tokens, and Bottled water
Canned meals and meats, Fruit bars, Cliff bars, Gummy fruit snacks

‍

We can't think of a more inspiring message than these insights shared with us by Avia, a 12 year old Intentional Neighbor who goes on outreach walks with her parents. We hope her story inspires you.

We used to live in downtown Saint Paul, we saw many people wandering around with no home, many with tents, or no tents, some even lived in our house for a few weeks! When you look at them from afar you only see homelessness, but when you look in someone's eyes, you see more than homelessness — love, kindness, a past, and their soul. One time there was a homeless man yelling down the street and clapping. I got scared, but that was the outside appearance, when he came up to us, he wanted us to pray for his child, so I did, and he gave me a hug. When I saw he was kind, and not crazy, or mean at all, it was a changer for me. He had a past and he was not just a shrub walking around, he had a name, not a label (homeless) Don't look at them as lower, or homeless, look at them as you..... and then go deep in love for them. Bless their day even by a simple thing, smiling, waving, or handing food, love them like you care for yourself, see them as you, and look in their eyes and see their real selves, not their homelessness. They're human just like you and me.
_-Avia

If you’re in Minnesota and would like to try outreach, you can jump in the next one here.