I don't dispute America is a great country.

We have freedoms many other countries do not have. And, despite the flaws and follies of our political system, it's my belief our system of government trumps many others elsewhere.

However, is America a nation of opportunity? Do we care for the least of these?

Last Saturday I attended an event at St. John's United Church of Christ, Fullerton, where 100 or so teenagers slept in cardboard boxes outside the church to raise awareness and money for teen homelessness.

I was moved and inspired by the event which brought home to me and the young people the seriousness of homelessness.

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, in 2013 there were more than 600,000 persons homeless in America on any given night.

The website National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates roughly 57,000 military veterans are homeless across the nation.

During last Saturday's event, Shane Burroughs, street outreach coordinator for Valley Youth House and the Synergy Project, shared with the teens and adults some sobering statistics relating to teen homelessness. For instance, in 2013 alone, there were between 1.6 and 2.6 million children homeless in America. Burroughs said the number is closer to 3 million.

In such a wealthy and technologically advanced nation, how can there still be American citizens living on our streets?

Trying to accurately describe a homeless person can be difficult.

While similarities exist, each person's path to homelessness is different. In many cases, the homeless person has a history of job instability, mental disease, physical problems and a lack of a family and social network. More often than not, the homeless person does not choose to become homeless; a hybrid of variables play into bringing that individual to the streets.

Fall is here and soon the warm weather will turn cold, with temperatures dropping considerably. I believe it's important to think about and consider our duty as a nation and our responsibility as citizens.

Federal, state and local governments need to budget a certain percentage of their funding to help combat homelessness. While homeless shelters exist in the Lehigh Valley, often there are waiting lists. There simply is not enough room in these facilities to accommodate everyone.

Funding at greater levels should be used to strengthen employment and drug and alcohol abuse programs, with the ultimate aim of turning that person on the street or in a shelter into a self sufficient, productive member of society. Money should also be devoted to ensure our nation's military veterans – who served this country – are pulled off the street and into appropriate rehabilitative programs.

As citizens, we can also do our part. Many of us have canned goods and nonperishable food items that are sitting around, along with shoes, clothing and blankets we no longer need or use. These items could be donated to a local shelter and be put to great use.

A question was posed during the St. John's UCC event. A woman asked Burroughs what we should do if a homeless person approaches us on the street, asking for money. I know many people who will not give a penny to a homeless person because they think he or she is either too lazy to work or will use the money for drugs and alcohol.

Burroughs' response is one each of us should take to heart. He said we should make an effort to give something to that person.

"Our job is to help those in need and show them some respect," he said. "The majority of the time they are collecting money for something legitimate."

Based on my experiences working in a few homeless shelters in the Lehigh Valley in the past, I can say I agree with Burroughs.

Homeless people have interesting stories to share and are often grateful for what you give to them, whether it's money, food or clothing.

They are not people who spend a lifetime taking advantage of the social service system because of a disinterest in working or fully integrating themselves back into society.

I look at it this way, that person on the street asking for money – even change – could be me. It only takes one slip and one careless mistake to bring us to our knees and out on the street.

And for those Christians reading this, as Burroughs' said: "We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus."

Mark Reccek

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press