YOUR FRIEND JUST MADE A DESPERATE CALL TO YOU -SHE MAY BECOME HOMELESS - HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

You've known your friend for some time, a few or many many years,
and have seen each other through ups and downs.
Somehow you always pulled through.
But now you get the call, a desperate call. Your friend is reaching
out, in need of help, on the way down to homeless, or calling to say she just
became homeless. She may be your next door neighbor with an eviction taped on her door, someone you knew since high school who has been self supporting for years, the person who babysat your children, the person who has visited you at your senior living center... anyone...

She may be calling on a cell phone that she won't be able afford
too much longer, from a shelter or program (some are cult-like and have black out
periods when a new resident is not allowed to communicate with the outside
world). She may be at a pay phone with her last quarter or at a friend's house where she can stay only a few days.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY OR DO?

Even if you're dead broke and can't take your friend in, PLEASE DO
NOT DESERT YOUR FRIEND. Let her know she still has your friendship even if
honestly you are in no position to take her in.

Encourage her to call, be willing to take her collect calls, be
willing to e-mail with her. YOUR CONTACT WITH HER IS VITAL TO HER SURVIVAL AND HER SUCCESS in making it out of homelessness.

Even being willing to accept her mail is a big help. Being willing
to store some of her precious possessions is a big help. So many homeless have
lost their family photos, their college diplomas, and their clothes. Why do you think there are so many homeless in libraries around this country checking e-mail when they don't have the clothes to interview for a decent job?

Here are some small things you can do: Even if she's staying at a
shelter. Take her out for coffee or have her over for a meal or let her stay for a
weekend once in a while. Offer to let her recieve mail at your address.

Make phone calls to programs to get basic information for her or
with her.

Or simply LISTEN!

The stories of homeless making the last call to the best friend they (thought they) had are endless. One of our friends was told by her best friend of 16 years "I don't want to be involved with your ilk." What ilk did she mean as our friend personally has no criminal background or substance abuse problems. She simply was over 50 and couldn't find a job. As a few homeless witches say "A pox on you!"