{"id":390,"date":"2018-11-09T15:38:58","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T14:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.berliner-obdachlosenhilfe.de\/?page_id=390"},"modified":"2022-07-23T12:14:14","modified_gmt":"2022-07-23T10:14:14","slug":"was-tun-wenn","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.berliner-obdachlosenhilfe.de\/en\/was-tun-wenn\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do when\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We frequently receive questions from people that would like to help a homeless person but do not know how to do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We, as a homeless charity, provide homeless people and people in need with warm meals, hot tea and coffee, clothing and sleeping bags during our three tours a week. However,\u00a0looking after persons individually goes beyond our limited possibilities as volunteers.<\/strong> You can find more organisations for helping homeless people on\u00a0kaeltehilfe-berlin.de<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we have prepared a\u00a0brief guide on how to behave with homeless people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Address<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you see a homeless person you care about, approach them directly. Ask them if they need help or anything else. This may take a little effort, but it\u2019s really quite simple. If the person doesn\u2019t want to accept help, then you should accept their wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the way: Just like you, homeless people are also happy about a little \u201eHello, how are you?\u201c or a friendly smile and your honest attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food or Money?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people ask us whether it is okay to give money to a homeless person or whether donations in kind would not be more appropriate. We as an association say quite clearly: Of course it is okay to give money to a homeless person. Even at the \u201erisk\u201c that the person buys alcohol, tobacco or other drugs with this money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because: Homelessness often goes hand in hand with addiction. By donating money, you spare these people an involuntary cold turkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides, who doesn\u2019t like to decide for themselves what they do with their money?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you decide against giving money to a homeless person but still want to help, just ask them, \u201eI don\u2019t have any money, but is there anything else I can help you with?\u201c and give them a listen or buy them something to eat or drink that they feel like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you can also help by getting involved with us and preparing food on our premises, distributing it on our tours, or donating money to our association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reacting in an Emergency <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are worried about a person but they are still responsive, ask them if you can help them. You can offer food and drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also offer to get help for her (e.g., a doctor or ambulance). However, make sure she really wants it and waits with you until it gets there.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the person is unresponsive and in a dangerous situation, do not hesitate to call the emergency services on 112.<\/p>\n\n

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