See how the overwhelming homeless issue in Los Angeles provided an opportunity for one person to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people.

1. Don’t give cash to a homeless person.
If a person is hungry, give food, coupons, and gift certificates. Or refer them to an agency that can provide food and shelter.

2. Talk to them with respect.
Taking time to talk with a homeless person in a friendly, respectful manner can give them a wonderful sense of dignity.

3. Recognize that homeless people (and their problems) are not all the same.
The person you meet may be a battered woman, an addicted veteran, or someone who is lacking job skills. The list goes on. Encourage them to get help through a mission. Rescue missions offer immediate food and shelter, and many offer long-term rehabilitation programs that deal with the root causes of homelessness.

4. Support local homeless ministries your donations.
Most missions receive little or no government funding. They are supported by caring individuals, churches, businesses, and civic groups. Donations of food, clothing, personal items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, combs), diapers, toys, etc. are very needed.

5. Volunteer your time. This supports the work of homeless shelters/missions, and it allow you to get to know and love those people in need.

6. Pray for the poor and homeless in your community, as well as the residents and staff at rescue missions.

Other Views
Links to articles outside CP

To the Parks
Relevant Magazine
A congregation that takes church to the homeless.
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life_article.php?id=7217

The Government’s Strategy
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants
Review of the implementation of the government’s integrative and preventative homeless strategies.
http://www.homelessagency.ie/downloads/publications/115.pdf

The Criminalization of Homelessness in US Cities
The National Coalition for the Homeless
How some communities are trying to make homelessness a crime. Includes a list of the worst offenders.
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/crimreport/report.pdf

Don’t Feed the Homeless
Tompaine.com
Another view on feeding homeless people.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/08/30/dont_feed_the_homeless.php

Other Resources
On the topic

Union Rescue Mission: www.urm.org
Los Angeles Youth Network: www.layn.org
Housing and Urban Development: http://www.hud.gov/homeless/index.cfm
National Coalition for the Homeless: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

See how one African pastor is combating the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in his own community. (A short film by Chronicle Project.)

1. Get Educated and know the facts about HIV/AIDS. Most people have fears, stigmas, and misinformation about HIV/AIDS. Spend a few minutes and learn the truth about HIV/AIDS so you can help educate others.

2. Support a local HIV/AIDS organization or ministry. Find an organization in your community and find out how you can help support them financially or with your time.

3. Host a Screening of Dear Francis at your school, church, or other organization. Go to the website dearfrancis.org and click on the screening info tab for information on hosting a screening. Yes this is one of our films, but we really think it’s a great way to educate people on this complex pandemic and to start a discussion on what you can do.

4. Donate to organizations that are making a difference in the fight. Some starting points are in the resource section below, but there are literally hundreds of groups working to end AIDS be it through education, prevention, medication, or poverty relief.

5. Pray for those who are infected or affected with HIV/AIDS as well as those who are devoting their lives to help find a cure, provide care, and offer compassion and hope to those who are suffering.

Other Views
Links to articles outside CP

Purpose Driven AIDS Plan
World Magazine
An article about the Saddleback HIV/AIDS conference for which the above video was created by CP.
Read

The Other Disaster
Sojourners
Overcoming the mythology of AIDS.
Read

Bush’s Failed Global AIDS Plan
AlterNet
An opinion article on gender considerations and US AIDS initiatives.
Read

Gap Goes RED
Relevant Magazine
Gap’s (RED) campaign. Helping fight AIDS or a business model?
Read article 1
Read article 2

Other Resources
On the topic

UNAIDS: www.unaids.org
Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/default.htm
AIDS.org: www.aids.org
Saddleback HIV/AIDS ministry: www.purposedriven.com/hiv
The ONE Campaign: www.one.org