West Side Homeless Outreach, Inc.

HANDS-ON HELP

There’s Nothing Like the First Time

By Que Jacobs

I commend West Side Homeless Outreach for its compassion and efforts in aiding the homeless. To go consistently onto the streets of L.A. to help these people by giving them things they need is such an honorable act of kindness.

I read on your Web site what you do, so I was more than anxious to volunteer. I’ve gone to shelters and served food to the homeless during the holidays but have never gone out on the streets to assist them. That’s what really sets West Side Homeless Outreach apart!

As the time drew near for me to meet with you and go onto the streets, I became a bit apprehensive. As you know, homeless people have a negative stigma that says they’re all violent, drug addicts, lazy, don’t deserve help, etc. My mind began to wonder about how to approach them. Will they think I’m looking down on them? Will they become mean or violent? We’ll be on the streets, not in the safety of a center or shelter.

But my heart and compassion to help and make a difference exceeded any negative feelings I had. Just the thought of people, especially women and children, sleeping out on the dark and dangerous streets is heartbreaking. If there was anything I could do, I was up for the challenge. I’m so glad I did and discovered that the homeless are regular people like any of us. For whatever reason, life brought them some misfortune from which they couldn’t bounce back.

My recent experience with West Side Homeless Outreach was a good one. The homeless people I encountered were very grateful, and I especially enjoyed talking with “Pops,” an elderly West L.A. homeless man. I was glad to put a smile on his face, and he in turn did the same for me. When our supplies ran out that day, I must admit I was a bit sad because I wanted to stay and do more. Shortly afterward, I contacted family, friends and others to tell them about my day and to spread the word about West Side Homeless Outreach.

I didn’t encounter violence from any of them, just gratitude. It’s amazing how things we take for granted can make a huge difference in somebody’s life. Just as our visits may have been a good thing for the homeless people I met that day, it was just as good for me. I’m forever a volunteer and donor to West Side Homeless Outreach.

Que Jacobs is a successful Los Angeles-based playwright.

The downturned economy has hit homeless people hard. You can help us help them. Money is our greatest need. Your donated dollars buy food, clothing and other vital provisions, which we deliver to unsheltered homeless people who need them most. You can also contribute these items to us. All donations to West Side Homeless Outreach, an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) charity, are tax deductible. Please click on donate; or mail checks and money orders to West Side Homeless Outreach, Inc., PO Box 5761, Playa del Rey, CA 90296-5761.

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Making a Difference

In my opinion, you’re not truly living if you’re not making a difference in someone’s life. It doesn’t take much—just a little time and effort. You’d be surprised how little things can help the homeless. When volunteering for West Side Homeless Outreach, I saw them as people. They have names and personalities. We held conversations, and some of them talked about their process of looking for jobs and finding apartments. It was refreshing to hear homeless people talk about taking steps to get off the streets. All of them aren’t lazy, and some are really trying to make a difference in their lives. They just need a little assistance.

—Que Jacobs

Homelessness Firsthand

What’s it like to be homeless? Find out in Voice From the Streets. Written by homeless people and updated frequently, it tells it like

it is.