CONNECTING WITH THE HOMELESS

My children used to ask about the homeless men and women who lived in the park near their inner-city school and the man who had a mattress and sleeping bag in the deserted doorway across the road from my office: “Why is he sleeping there?”.

It was an opportunity to explain how shameful it is that our rich society lets people live on the streets. I was proud that their school collected food and clothing for the homeless.

At around that time, I would buy The Big Issue from John, a vendor near my work. He had appeared in an ABC documentary on homelessness, so I felt as if I knew a bit about his life. John liked to chat. Sometimes my kids would be with me, and they would hear about his traumatic young life. It had an impact on them and as young adults they always buy The Big Issue as they know what it means to the vendor.

The Big Issue gives a hand up to people who can’t earn a meaningful income because of a wide range of circumstances such as homelessness, physical and intellectual disability or mental illness. It helps builds their confidence and connect them with the community.

Half the money they earn from selling The Big Issue magazine goes to the vendor, so that they are helping themselves.

Alan Attwood, editor of The Big Issue for more than nine years, has been presenting education workshops to help schoolkids understand homelessness and disadvantage.

During the workshops, he introduces a Big Issue vendor who has experienced homelessness first-hand.

Each Big Issue vendor tells their story about how they ended up living on the streets.

“It gives kids a different perspective than the one they may have had,” says Attwood. “It shows them that it may not be the person’s fault.”

Some vendors speak about their lives, which began like any other kid but then took a bad turn, ending in homelessness and poverty. The kids can ask questions.

“You could see it sinking in with some of the kids. I am impressed by kids showing a bit of empathy and sympathy,” says Attwood. “I love the fact that there is a connection.”

He hopes the kids will go home and educate their parents about homeless people. Perhaps it could also influence their career decisions later in life.