Every homeless man has a past. We do not know why and how a person would become homeless. That is why we never looked down on anyone when the person is down.

I once walked by a young homeless man who had a dog with him. I was going to the mall to have lunch during my lunch hour from work. I gave the man $5.00 and asked him to get himself something to eat and also buy something for his dog. I gave him $5.00 everyday whenever I see him on my way to the mall at my lunch hour. There was one day the weather was extremely hot and humid and he and his dog were sitting at a spot where the sun could directly shine on them. I suggested to him to move to another area to cool down, but he got defensive and was mad at me. He told me he didn't need my money anymore. I was shocked at his reaction to my suggestion. I was only concerned about his and the dog's safety. I went home and then after giving it some thoughts I find I was overstepping another person's freedom. Even though I may have given him money to help him, I had no right to tell him what to do.

The following day I saw him again, and I approached him and gave him $5.00 and I apologized to him as well. He was surprised that I would still want to give him money and talked with him. Then, I did not see him for a few days, and he reappeared again on the same spot where he usually sits. I went again to give him $5.00, he was happy to see me. He told me the government was going to help him, and he was now enrolled in some kind of a training course (I cannot remember what course he was about to take but I was genuinely happy for him). He said he and his dog will also find a place to stay and he will be going to school for the training. I congratulated him and told him I was happy for him that he could turn his life around and didn't have to beg on the street anymore.

I think everyone has a past and we don't know what has happened, and instead of looking down on the person, we need to give the person the help that he/she needs. - This is just my opinion.

Sandie