Don’t go alone when you talk to the homeless. Don’t wear jewelry or carry a lot of money or credit cards. Dress down. While most of the homeless are harmless, there are a lot who are mentally ill, criminals, violent, paranoid etc. Too much to go into here, but call me if you want details. I learned a lot the year I was homeless.

If you want to help, contact a shelter. Talk to a case worker. Tell them what you want to do, that you want to document homelessness, get to know the real picture of what it is like – to spend a week etc. etc. Then, actually get to know a few homeless people over lunch. Spend some time getting to know them (They won’t tell you the truth – or it will be some truth, lotta lies. Most work the system and you’re part of the system). Then spend two nights and two days on the street “living” the lifestyle. You’ll learn A LOT!

If you skip the “get to know folks” stage and just hit the streets and pretend to be homeless, you’ll be fresh meat, so obvious and everyone will target you as a newbie and you’ll be at greater risk. At least if you learn a bit BEFORE you hit the street, you won’t be AS obvious and you’ll know a little bit about how to take care of yourself. If you want specific tips, email me. It will change the way you look at life if you really do it. So, be ready.

It’s change for the good. I count my year on the streets (even tho I was in a van) as the best time of my life. You go girl!