I appreciated this short interview in the e-newsletter Epicenter NYC. (You can sign up for the newsletter here:
https://epicenter-nyc.com/subscribe). The idea to carry a card of community resources seems good.
Dear Neighbor,
Are you noticing more homeless people in your community? Among reasons for this: Warmer weather draws people out of shelters and onto the streets where there are fewer rules and no curfew. And because of Covid-19, the NYC Department of Homeless Services has been moving thousands out of shelters, where social distancing is impossible, into hotel rooms — often in some of the city’s more pricey ZIP codes.
It’s become a showdown in certain neighborhoods. We spoke to Cari Feingold, a clinical social worker who has counseled homeless populations, on how to try to diffuse the tension. Her advice:
What to give. Whether to give money is always a question people have. Feingold advises against it. Instead, she suggests providing personal hygiene products like deodorant, cleansing wipes and tampons and sanitary pads, which can be especially hard to come by. The travel section at stores like Target and CVS are good for stocking up.
Resources. Consider creating a card listing local food kitchens, community fridges, mental health and detox clinics, and Covid testing locations. Keep several with you and hand them out. “You can only want for someone as much as they want for themselves. It’s all about being empowered,” Feingold told us. “Giving somebody a McDonald’s sandwich is not empowering. Giving someone a list of resources they can call? That’s empowering.”
Who is that, Mama? How to explain the new neighbors to children? Come from a place of empathy. Explain that being homeless doesn’t make you a bad person, and it’s not a choice. If you come across somebody using drugs, Feingold suggests being honest: The person is sick, and what they are doing is bad for their body and illegal.
Consider carrying Narcan. There are nearly 80,000 homeless people in New York City. The vast majority also suffer from issues such as mental illness and substance abuse. Fentanyl, a powerful and deadly synthetic opiate often lacing cocaine and heroin, is responsible for many overdose deaths in New York City. Naloxone, more commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a nasal spray that helps reverse an opioid overdose. New Yorkers can secure Naloxone free of charge from community organizations and participating pharmacies, and several organizations offer free training on how to effectively use it.
What if you feel threatened? If you see someone who appears to be a danger to themselves or others, Feingold recommends contacting the police and letting them know you are calling in regards to an emotionally disturbed person (EDP). That way, she said, they will send an ambulance and bring the individual to the hospital to be assessed.
And most importantly, be sympathetic.
