Across social media platforms such as Facebook and X, there are videos of individuals being unkind to or taking advantage of homeless individuals.

I viewed one recently, however, where a well-dressed woman walking in the rain with an umbrella stopped and was kind to a young homeless woman sitting on a sidewalk in the rain.

The video titled, “This restored my faith in humanity,” opens with several individuals walking past the young woman.

Then the well-dressed woman starts to walk past the homeless woman before stopping, turning around, and sitting down next to her.

The passerby pulls out her cellphone and a food order soon arrives which she shares with the other woman.

The video ends with the well-to-do woman giving the other woman the coat she was wearing before leaving in an expensive car that has pulled up nearby.

Last summer, I watched from my window as a young couple, whom I will call Bill and Jane, and their dog lived out of their vehicle while it was parked in the lot at my apartment complex.

I recently spoke with Bill and learned that last summer he and Jane and their dog became homeless.

I realize now, looking back, I should have offered the young couple some food or whatever help I could have.

I also know what it is like to be homeless because several years ago, I too, was homeless, living out of my car with three cats during the winter for about two months.

Homelessness can affect anyone, including children, veterans, seniors and pets.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website, “On any given day, over 15,000 Pennsylvanians are known to be homeless and in the balance of state areas, the more rural regions over 8,000 individuals, including children, were experiencing homelessness either being on the streets, doubled up with family or friends or in shelters.”

In Lehigh County, there are several agencies that can help individuals or families facing homelessness including:

·Family Promise of Lehigh Valley, 1346 Hamilton St., Allentown; phone 610-351-1368.

·Sixth Street Shelter, 219 N. Sixth St., No. 4111, Allentown; phone 610-435-1490.

·Operation Address the Homeless, 221 N. Seventh St., Allentown; phone 610-351-0760.

·Allentown Rescue Mission (for men only), 355 Hamilton St., Allentown; phone 610-740-5500.

·Lehigh County Conference of Churches, 457 W. Allen St., Allentown; phone 610-439-8653.

According to Hebrews 13:1-2, King James Version, “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

We as loving, caring, compassionate human beings can do as the woman in the video and show kindness to someone who looks or dresses differently; it could make a difference to the person you are helping or to someone watching.

Susan Bryant

editorial assistant

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press