How Can We Help? Student Perspectives on the Homeless Community

Snowy mountains from the top of Appalachian Ski Mountain in February of 2024. Boone, NC estimates an average of 37 inches of snow per year. That’s a lot of snow to endure, especially for those who don’t have somewhere warm to stay. Photo by: Chloe Greer

Chloe Greer, Photo Essay Desk Lead

In the United States, those who are homeless or unhoused are constantly struggling. While there are many different perspectives on these people and their situations, many around the country have a desire to help them. Students at Watauga High School have goals and opinions to help the lives of these people in any way they can, whether that be a small or large act of kindness.

Delilah Wurth, a senior at Watauga, has concerns about the way that members of the homeless community are painted out to be. She believes that the general public may look at these community members in a negative and unnecessary light.

“I think that the homeless community has been very stigmatized. I’ve met a lot of homeless people, and they’re some of the nicest people I have had interactions with. I think a lot of people don’t see that,” said Wurth. “They just see the stereotypes that we have created. I also think that we have set up a system that makes it very hard for them to get out of the situations that they have been put in.”

Senior Kylie Eldreth has lived in Boone her whole life and has always strived to help the unhoused in any way she can, even if it is a simple conversation. Eldreth finds it important to offer any support, even if it is just emotional.

“I have connected with many homeless people over the years, and I have never regretted offering encouragement and support. I feel deeply blessed to have a place to call home, and I think many people, myself included, take simple luxuries for granted,” said Eldreth. 

Eldreth finds it important to offer support before judgment, simply because you never know the full story of why someone may be in that situation. 

 “We all should intentionally take time to appreciate what we have and help others who are struggling,” said Eldreth. “I believe that everyone deserves kindness and, as a society, it’s our job to care for them and do as much as we can to improve their situation, no matter how they got there.”

Buying a meal, warm clothes, blankets, or umbrellas are all simple yet effective and doable ways to help out the homeless community. These small acts make all the difference, but there are also people who have even bigger goals for how to help. 

Senior Lilly Hampton thinks that the unhoused community would greatly benefit from bigger rehabilitation programs to ensure they have what they need to get back to their goal place in life.

“I think we could build more shelters and programs for them to get back up on their feet and help them with rehabilitation,” explained Hampton. “This is so they can start going back into society and get a job, and do normal things. I think more programs would help them.”

Helping the homeless community is a goal that weighs heavily on many people’s hearts. Whether you want to offer them encouragement or believe in bigger programs to bring them rehabilitation, this community is one that always needs support, no matter the circumstance.