By: Micah Underwood, Grant Manager at CCWVa
Do you want to advocate for your neighbors in need, but you’re not sure how to start? Are you worried people are going to ask questions you can’t answer?
- What is homelessness?
- Are all homeless people on drugs?
- How do people end up homeless?
Are any or all of these questions swirling around in your brain? Do you kind of feel bad about it sometimes? It’s ok. You’re human. And here at Catholic Charities West Virginia, so are we.
That’s why we’ve created this guide: to help you be a good neighbor, whether you want to donate, volunteer, or connect someone with vital services like food programs or emergency financial assistance. When you choose to help, you’re making a difference.
What is homelessness?
Homelessness is the state of not having permanent shelter. You might also hear the term “unhoused” or the phrase “experiencing homelessness.” For some neighbors, this means staying in an emergency shelter or couch-surfing with friends. This is called sheltered homelessness. For other folks, it might mean living in cars, under bridges, or in abandoned buildings—all places that aren’t really meant for humans to live. This is called unsheltered homelessness.
The words we use matter, and they change over time and with context. You don’t need the perfect words for the moment, just an open mind and a willingness to listen and engage sincerely with the lived experiences of your neighbors.
Are all homeless people on drugs?
Not at all. Research shows that about one-third of people experiencing homelessness face challenges with alcohol or drugs.
Homelessness is stressful. Drug use may be a way to cope with that stress, whether or not the person was using drugs before becoming homeless. For some people, drug use may have been a contributing factor in their loss of housing. In any case, for folks experiencing both homelessness and drug addiction, the combination can make it especially difficult to emerge from either challenge.
Each person’s journey to a happy, healthy, fulfilling life is unique. Supportive services, compassionate care, and genuine human connection are key to helping our neighbors navigate their particular paths with respect and dignity.
How do people end up homeless?
A person’s ability to find and keep housing can depend on a wide variety of factors, including:
- Unaffordable housing, suppressed wages, inflation, and the cost of living
- Addiction, mental illness, and domestic violence
- A past eviction or criminal charge
- Falling behind on bills
- Injury, illness, or natural disaster
- Mistakes or poor choices
Systemic issues, personal challenges, and more can disrupt even the most stable household. In short, there is no single cause of homelessness. The experience looks different for everyone experiencing it. Understanding each unique situation helps social service workers identify those supports that might be most useful as the person works toward long-term stability, no matter the path that brought them to their time of need.
How can you help?
You’ve already begun, simply by asking these questions. Here are some ways you can help reduce poverty and stop homelessness before it starts.
Volunteer
Your community is full of agencies (and people!) working to improve the quality of life for all of your neighbors. You can help by volunteering with an organization whose work is meaningful to you.
At Catholic Charities West Virginia, volunteers make a lasting impact in the lives of people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Sign up here to volunteer. (We look forward to connecting with you!)
Donate
Charitable organizations often rely on the generosity of their neighbors to continue their important work. Your gift, in cash or in kind, strengthens your community and your neighbors.
At Catholic Charities West Virginia, your generosity supports programs that feed families, provide shelter, and support people in crisis. Give to Catholic Charities West Virginia online or mail your check to 2000 Main Street, Wheeling, WV 26003.
If you’re looking to donate items, contact the organization you want to support or check their website. Many agencies publish a wish list of frequently needed items that support their work, as well as when and where you can donate. Some even have an online wish list where you can order and ship directly to the nonprofit.
You might also host a donation drive in your office, church, social group, or neighborhood. Connect with your chosen organization to learn what the most-needed items are, put the word out, and gather your collective contribution. Together, we can accomplish far more than any one of us can alone.
Advocate
When something matters to you, speak up and amplify the voices of affected people and communities. Reach out to your local, state, and federal leaders about issues affecting your community. Phone, email, snail mail, and even in-person communication help your leaders understand what matters most to their constituents.
Not sure what to say? Borrow language from people or organizations you trust to help make your message clear. You can also reach out to folks with expertise and ask them to help. They may have sample emails, letters, or phone scripts that you can personalize.
You can also advocate within your social network. Share stories, resources, or sample messages to encourage people you know to join you.
Educate
Share what you’re learning. If it’s new to you, maybe it’s new to your friends, too. Bring a friend to a city council meeting or invite them to volunteer with you. When you read an article, post, or study that resonates with you, send it on or share it on social media.
Maybe you’ve learned about a service that would benefit a neighbor in need. Point them to the agency providing that service, sit with them while they make a call, or even go with them to the office if they find that helpful.
You can learn more here about how Catholic Charities West Virginia is working to reduce poverty in the Mountain State through food programs, emergency financial assistance, and more.
By sharing this knowledge, you are strengthening your community and raising awareness of the most pressing needs your neighbors face.
What now?
Are you moved to action? Now is the time! Whether you share this guide, volunteer, donate, or speak up for change, you are helping to build a stronger, more compassionate community. Every action you take is a step toward making here a better place to live, learn, work, and grow—together.
We’re sharing this guide in November. It’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month.
In West Virginia, more than a quarter of a million people face hunger. (That’s one in six people in the state!) At Catholic Charities West Virginia, our staff, volunteers, and community partners work year-round to make sure our neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious foods for themselves and their families. Last year, we distributed more than 730,000 pounds of food through our statewide food pantries and served tens of thousands of meals. What made that work possible? The generosity of our community. That’s you!
This November, we’ve launched our Here for Good campaign. It’s a reminder that when it comes to loving our neighbors, Catholic Charities West Virginia has been doing the good work for nearly 100 years—and we’re not going anywhere.
Learn more about how you can support the campaign.
