14/Feb/2022
HOPE Board Member, Debbie Smith, LOVES the people of our community. Here, Debbie shares her experiences that led her to serving both the hungry and homeless in Calloway County.
26/Aug/2021
If you knew of a tool that could bring your mind, family, and finances into harmony, dramatically reduce stress, and make the challenges of life much more manageable, would you take advantage of this tool?
Such a tool does exist. A budget allows you to take control of your finances, instead of your finances controlling you.
You can create a budget that supports your family and making sure the necessities are taken care of.
Simply follow these steps to experience peace of mind and excitement about your future:
- Find the starting line. The first crucial step in creating a household budget that works is to list all your income and keep track of every dime you spend for a month. Before you can know where you’re going, you must know your starting point.
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- You’ll be surprised to learn where your money goes each month. This awareness alone may change your spending habits for the better.
- Use credit wisely and sparingly. Using credit cards or payday loans can seem like no big deal. Credit card issuers often give special deals and incentives to lure people into applying for credit they don’t need. With large spending limits and small incomes, credit cards tempted you to live a lifestyle you can’t afford.
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- The national average annual percentage rate (APR) for a payday loan is almost 400 percent. That’s over 20 times the average credit card interest rate. And often, borrowers can’t pay back the loan right away. What seems like an easy way to fix your financial problem causes overwhelming debt that hurts you even more in the long run.
- Keep your accounts balanced. One of the simplest and most productive habits you can incorporate into your personal financial success plan is to maintain a balanced ledger. Keep track of everything that goes in and out of your account by writing it down or logging it in an app. At the end of the month, compare your ledger to your bank statement.
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- When you’re keeping track of what you spend, you may feel less tempted to waste money on impulse purchases. You’ll always know when the money is almost out. This can save you a lot of money on overdraft fees and a lot of headaches.
- Reduce expenses. There’s no secret to a successful budget. It’s as simple as keeping track of your income and expenses, increasing your income, or lowering your expenses until you spend less than you earn.
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- Once you have a good grasp on what you’re spending and where, find places to cut back. Clip coupons and look for grocery sales. Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Turn the air conditioner off when you leave the house. And cook ahead of time to save on the expense of eating out.
Financial pressures can make all of life seem overwhelming at times. If you implement these simple steps and commit to maintaining a rock-solid budget for your family, you’ll experience financial peace. Beyond that, however, every area of your life will improve as you’re more relaxed and at ease with the peace of mind you’ve achieved.
25/Feb/2021
“If a panhandler asks me for money, what should I do?”
This question is asked almost every time I give a talk about homelessness, or when people find out I work for HOPE Calloway. Here is my advice based upon my knowledge of homelessness and talking with panhandlers.
1. Give or don’t give. It is really your choice. But always look the person in the eye who is asking and say “Hi.” If you are not going to give then add, “Sorry I can’t help today.” If you are going to give add, “Hope this helps.” Either way, always treat the person with respect. They are human beings, made in the image of God.
2. If you do give to a panhandler, remember it is a gift, and the person is free to do with it whatever he or she wants to do. “Give to everyone who asks and don’t ask people to return what they have taken from you.” Luke 6:30 CEV
3. If you do not give that is okay too. Panhandlers know most people will not give. One said to me, “I expect to get turned down most of the time, and it doesn’t bother me. Just treat me with respect.” (See Tip #1 above).
4. If you feel unsafe or the person panhandling is being aggressive or threatening, leave the area and don’t give. As one panhandler said to me, “There are jerks in every line of life. Don’t reward them.” Contact local authorities if you are concerned that the person panhandling may be a danger to themselves or others.
5. Sometimes give more than you are being asked for. If someone asks for a dollar, give them five! Both you and the panhandler can share in the joy of that unexpected gift.
6. Set a limit or a boundary to your giving. Once you have reached that limit, respond to anyone who asks, “I’ve given out already what I give each day.”
7. There are people who panhandle who are not homeless. They are simply poor. It is near impossible to tell the difference between a homeless panhandler and one who is not. So, again, give if you want, or do not give if you do not want to, but treat everyone with respect. (See Tip #1 above).
8. Feeling awkward or uncomfortable when you see a panhandler or are asked for money is okay. It means you have a conscience and some compassion.
9. If you have time, and are so inclined, volunteer with an organization that works with people on the streets offering food, or shelter, or medical care etc. You will get to know some really interesting people and they will get to know you. You might see them on the streets from time to time and you can wave and yell “Hi!”
10. If you really want to help people who panhandle, support organizations in your area that provide services and resources to homeless or hungry people. Also resist all efforts to dehumanize, disrespect, and criminalize people who are on the streets with laws like “No panhandling” or myths like “Panhandlers make a lot of money panhandling.”
There will always be those among us who look to take advantage of your generosity. Do not let that stop you from giving. Reach out to our office if your have concerns about someone you meet on the street. Chances are, we’ve already met them.
17/Nov/2020
As part of our discussion panel series for Hunger & Homelessness Awareness 2020, I was joined by three ladies who have all experienced homelessness first-hand. The conversation was eye-opening and inspiring.
31/Oct/2020
One in every thirty American children experience homelessness every year! The sad truth is, it doesn’t get easier as they get older. A staggering ten percent of young adults between the ages of 18-24 will be homeless at some point this year. That’s more than 3 million homeless children, teens, and young adults!
20/Oct/2020
One amazing thing that we have seen during this pandemic is how our community has come together to help each other. Many people who were homeless, or facing homelessness, have been able to secure or maintain housing as a direct result of the “come-togetherness” of our community. However, this does not mean all their problems have been solved. We must ensure that during times of crisis, such as the current pandemic, we support the wellbeing of the individuals we serve as best we can. One of the priorities should be avoiding the possibility of re-traumatization.
So how can we ensure that we are not causing more unnecessary trauma, while also not putting individuals who have previously experienced trauma in potentially triggering situations?
It comes down to the Four C’s of Support: Calm, Choice, Control and Connect.
24/Sep/2020
If you are struggling to pay your rent, you are not alone. According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, 31% of American renters did not pay rent for the month of April. This is just one example of how the coronavirus pandemic has affected our country. If you turn on any news station right now you will be overwhelmed with statistics, graphs, and diagrams of the effects of the coronovirus. However, it becomes very real, and very personal, when you are the one missing paychecks and struggling to make ends meet.
10/Sep/2020
“Homelessness is basically invisible in our community. How do we get the message out that it really does exist even though we don’t see people sleeping on park benches?” – Ruth
Thanks for the question Ruth! First, I want to acknowledge that our community isn’t out of the ordinary. Most people experiencing homelessness fall under the “provisionally accommodated” category of homelessness and are what most people call the “hidden homeless.”
01/Sep/2020
When most people think about homelessness, their minds often jump to the image of someone sleeping and living on the streets. In reality, homelessness takes many forms and isn’t always obvious, even from up close. Homelessness can essentially be broken down into four categories: chronic, episodic, transitional, and hidden. We’ll go into detail about each of these groups and explore how we can make a difference together.
17/Aug/2020
Transitional housing is best described as a home environment that is dedicated to helping people in their transition from homelessness back to an independent lifestyle. Transitional housing plays an essential role in fighting the cycle of homelessness here at home and nationwide.
