As per Wikipedia: A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.
Let's break this down....
Selfless: (Dictionary.com), having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.
The rest is self explanatory!
In this particular blog I will be examining some global examples of random acts of kindness. They can be something as small as giving someone a pair of shoes or buying someone a cup of coffee. These things are small to us because we take them for granted. To someone who may feel like no one cares about them or that they are invisible in this big world, these "small" acts could mean the world!
One example of this was done buy a start-up company called Lava Mae. LavaMae founder, Doniece Sandoval, heard news of some old buses being put out of commission and she decided to acquire them and turn them into portable lavatory facilities for the homeless. This launch is occurring in San Francisco where there are over 3500 homeless people (on record) and 7 facilities throughout that city that provide hygiene maintenance facilities for the homeless. This woman drew up a plan and enlisted a plumbing company among other services and is working with a non-profit organization whose clientele is the homeless. She is breaking grounds and instituting a new form of community outreach. You can visit their site for feedback, location information,blog,general information and a chance to donate. Click here to go directly to the site. http://www.lavamae.org/
The first mobile shower bus hit the streets on June 28th and was a complete success! They will be providing hygiene service every Saturday, starting June 28, from 7 am to noon, at the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, 165 Capp St., San Francisco.
This is a great example of an act of kindness. Though the average joe may not be able to do something as large as this, there are things that you can do. Donate clothes to shelters, donate time to soup kitchens, donate monetary gifts to organizations or just simply greet a less fortunate person with dignity and respect. Remember that it could have been you and with one quick obstacle in life, it could be you in the future.
http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/what_you_can_do
Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/
These organizations are national organizations that help the homeless across America. Below I will give you an idea of the numbers in the homeless community specifically in San Francisco.
One night in 2013, someone a city official went around counting the homeless population that he could spot on the street here are his findings:
- He tallied up 6,346 homeless people
- Of that number, 914 of them were homeless children or young adults (w/o parents)
- In 2013 it was claimed that the San Francisco spent $165 million dollars on the homeless
- The city has approximately 350 beds for the 914 homeless youths every night
- From 2011 to 2013 L.A.'s homeless count has risen 15%
- In that same time frame NY's count has risen 13%
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