Sometimes giving to the homeless is life changing. (Homelessness and street begging)

Member Name: Numb3rsgal47

Product:	Homelessness and street begging
Date:	15/06/09 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Doesn't cost a great deal.

Disadvantages: Could be a scam.

Touchy subject this!
We all believe we know best about such situations. Reckon I did too until an occurrence that changed my mind.
I live in a well heeled town in the Midlands.
Very little homelessness or if there is someone seems to keep them out of the public gaze. Seriously.
We used to have one or two, one, a young man always in the same spot.
My elder daughter who was about 18 at the time and with very little money used to talk to this guy.
One day she asked him how he was and it turned out he had the opportunity of changing his circumstances. He had been invited to a job interview up North. The problem was he was short on the train fare.
Yep, you know what's coming.
My daughter asked him how much he needed. The sum was about £10.
So she gave it to him. He asked if she would be willing to give him her address so if he got the job he could send her the money back. Again she said yes (I know, makes you shudder at the thought).
The outcome?
He did actually have an interview, he went, he got the job and yep, he sent her back the ten pounds with a note of thanks.
So I try not to lump everyone into the category these days when I see a homeless person, cos you never really know do you? Dooyoo? Hah.

Summary: Always keep an open mind.