Reality Check: The Two Types of Charity
What do you do when someone asks you for money on the street? Most of the time, people ask for food, water, and money. Even though satisfying these needs will help provide comfort and relief, the growing crisis of homelessness continues to rise. The 2023 Los Angeles Homeless Count shows that a 9% rise in homelessness in LA is estimated to be about 75,518 people. Studies have shown that the leading cause of homelessness in LA is due to a loss or reduction of income. The question that arises is not merely how we can provide for those in need, but how we can do so with a depth of compassion and commitment that reaches beyond the surface. While many believe good service is giving a good or resource, good service actually means an emotional commitment to a specific area or people because this will help us make the long term change. WaterDrop LA embodies this dual function. It is a nonprofit dedicated to providing essential food and water resources to the homeless population on Skid Row. Organizations such as this one not only provide the necessities to the homeless on Skid Row, but also try to make an emotional connection with those in need.
Short-term relief addresses immediate needs, which is the traditional service model that focuses on delivering goods and resources. WaterDrop is an organization that focuses on exactly that; they exemplify this principle through its unwavering dedication to the homeless population of Skid Row. The volunteers go around to different stations distributing water and snacks to those living on the streets. As a result, outsiders may view the organization as “distributors” to the homeless.
For some individuals, the regular provision of essentials like water and food can inadvertently create a sense of reliance. This can be particularly evident in cases where there is a consistent expectation of aid, such as a weekly distribution in WaterDrop. Many become disappointed and let down if volunteers skip a Sunday afternoon. When the time comes, there are people waiting for their weekly water and food. If one time is missed, these people feel let down by their community. According to NIH, “continuity and reliability of services sometimes suffer,” which underscores how vital reliable assistance has become to their daily routines and sense of security.
Moreover, this dynamic highlights the delicate balance that service organizations like WaterDrop must navigate. On the one hand, there is an inherent responsibility to continue providing aid to those in need. On the other hand, there’s a growing need to empower individuals to regain a degree of self-sufficiency and resilience. Striking this balance requires thoughtful planning and the implementation of strategies that gradually transition from immediate relief towards sustainable, long-term solutions.
However, the organization’s volunteers and staff members are not mere dispensers of aid; they become invested in the lives and stories of the individuals they serve. At the heart of good service lies a deep-seated emotional commitment to a specific community or cause. The emotional connection is what leads to the transactional nature of traditional charity work, fostering a sense of trust, empathy, and dignity among both the service providers and recipients.
From my very first day of volunteering, we started off with a group meeting that instructed everyone to not only provide two gallons of water to each person but also to ask them about their day and how they were doing. We were told that if we had worked with certain people already, that we could request certain routes to be able to work with them again. I realized that our goal is not just to make sure these people have water, but also trying to form a connection with them to give them hope, encouragement, and a safe space to talk about anything that might be on their mind.
As I arrived to my assigned station that day, I watched as a shirtless man with a chain hopped onto the donation table and started asking about Dan’s, one of the station leaders, day. I could tell that they had been friends for a while now. Even though everyone else was busy grabbing food and water they needed for the week, the man with the chain stayed talking to all the volunteers till it was time to leave for the day. From this we can conclude that the act of giving food and water becomes a manifestation of genuine care and concern for the well-being of those struggling on Skid Row.
Effective service work extends beyond immediate relief efforts to encompass community engagement and empowerment. WaterDrop LA takes an approach that seeks to address not only the immediate needs of the homeless population but also to equip them with resources and tools for self-improvement. Next to the food donation table, there is another one with flyers of papers for those who want to seek help and assistance to have the opportunity to sign up and talk to volunteers. There is a sign-up list that allows people to have someone check in with them more often to see how they are doing, as well as zoom calls for those with phones.
By providing long term service, organizations like WaterDrop need to continue to improve on life changing service. Though WaterDrop does not yet offer services such as hygiene stations, mental health resources, and job placement assistance, that enable individuals to regain a sense of agency and autonomy over their lives, this is something they can work on for future Sundays. In order to provide long term service, they need to take a proactive stance that not only provides tangible assistance but also fosters a culture of empowerment and self-sufficiency among the Skid Row community.
The goal of good service work is its potential to bring about lasting, transformative change within a community. WaterDrop LA exemplifies this principle by providing temporary relief to the community while also forming a lasting emotional bond of hope and encouragement between the volunteers and the homeless. Moreover, Waterdrop LA actively collaborates with local agencies, businesses, and government entities to create a network of support that extends beyond their immediate efforts. The emphasis they put on sustainability ensures that the impact of their service work endures long after the initial aid is provided.
By addressing systemic issues that contribute to homelessness, such as mental health support, addiction recovery, and job training, the organization can continue to aim to break the cycle of homelessness and pave the way for individuals to reintegrate into society. WaterDrop LA’s dedication, community engagement strategies, and emphasis on long-term impact showcase the potential for service initiatives to not only address immediate needs but also empower individuals and communities to forge a brighter future. Through their approach and commitment, WaterDrop LA serves as a beacon of inspiration for all those dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Their work reminds us that true service is not a fleeting act, but a steadfast commitment to the well-being and prosperity of our fellow human beings.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218240/
https://drc-solutions.org/community-impacts-of-homelessness/
