Action Guide - Homeless Survival Guide

Homeless Survival Guide

Surviving The Streets - Action Guide

If you are new to the city, pick up a homeless resource map from Friendship House. Also don’t be afraid to ask for directions. Most of the people who come to Friendship House would be happy to show you where things are. If you are trying to move on to another place, know that there is no Traveler's Aid in Wilmington anymore. Your best bet is to get a ride to Philadelphia and contact the Traveler's Aid office there.
When looking for assistance, it is very important to tell the people whether you are alone or with your family. Many of the available services are reserved for one group or the other. If you are looking for assistance for your family as well, you will probably be required either to have them present or to present their I.D.
In case of medical emergency where you are unconscious, it is very important to have an emergency contact who is a family member and able to supply the doctors with necessary medical information about you. If you are not speaking to your family, you should still have a close friend or agency who the hospital could contact.
If you do not have a safe place to stay, you need to consider getting into one of the city’s shelters. Many people say that they would rather walk the streets all night than stay in a homeless shelter. At least shelters are reasonably safe and you will be able to get a meal, a hot shower and some sleep. Many shelters also have counselors on site who can help refer you to other agencies that help the homeless.
If you lack the funds and the place to prepare meals, you need to start eating at the various feeding programs in the city. Friendship House can provide you with a list of locations where you can get a free breakfast, lunch and supper each day. If you have no regular source of income, you may also be entitled to food stamps which you can use as a supplement or substitute for the feeding programs. If you have a place to store and prepare food, you may be able to get referral to a local food closet which will provide you with a bag of groceries. Since the demands on food closets are very great, most of their services go to families with children.
If you need clothing, the Friendship House Day Center can assist you with specific needs through a referral to the Clothing Bank of Delaware. There are several clothing closets open several days a week where you can get free clothing . During the winter there are also special distributions of winter coats, hats, gloves, etc. See Friendship House for a list of the clothing closets. If you have a specific need or an unusual size, there are also several thrift stores where clothing can be purchased for a minimal price.
If you need a place to store your most important possessions, Friendship House does provide limited storage. Other options are family and friends. The less that you have to store, the more willing people will be to help you. Most people who try to hide their belongings where they hope that they will not be found end up losing everything.
If you need a place to shower and do laundry, you will find it easier to keep yourself clean than your clothes. All of the shelters provide showers, but only some also allow you to do your laundry. People not staying in the shelters can get a free shower at several places. People needing to do laundry generally have to get it done at the local Laundromats. See Friendship House for the location, operating hours and cost.
If you lack personal I.D. Friendship House can assist you with getting a new birth certificate and social security card. If you are not a convicted felon, you may also register to vote and use your voter registration card as proof of residence. To get a State I.D. (Which is a requirement of many employers), you need your social security card, proof of birth and proof of residence. Friendship House is able to help with any financial charges.
If you need a local mailing address, Friendship House can provide you with one through its Home Base Program. See a staff member for details.
If you need to use a phone from which you can make and receive calls and messages, Friendship House can provide you with that as well through its Home Base Program. See a staff member for details.
If you have a medical condition that needs attention, you can not ignore it in the hope that it will go away. Medical services are available from the St. Claire Mobile Medical Van, a number of local doctors and health clinics. See Friendship House for locations and times. If you need financial assistance for either a doctor’s visit or a prescription, ask a Friendship House staff person for help.
If you lack reliable transportation, you will probably need to walk to most of the places where you need to go. Fortunately, most of the emergency homeless services are located in the downtown area and are within walking distance of one another. Friendship House has a limited supply of bus tickets for verifiable job interviews, business appointments and doctors' visits.
If you are able to work, you might consider trying to get some day work to earn some immediate cash. Early each morning local contractors, looking for day laborers, pick up able-bodied men to work boots at the Men's Day Center. They don’t ask for I.D. or references, and they usually pay in cash on the same day. If you are relying on a shelter for a bed and meals, make sure that the job will end in time for you to get into the shelter. Day work for women is much harder to come by. There is also a wide variety of Temp Services in the city, but most require I.D., flexible hours and reliable transportation. Friendship House also sponsors its own Job Readiness Program with online computer labs, job coaches, employment opportunities for both motivated men and women.
If you have some regular source of income, you need to figure out how long you have until you receive it. Since you are no longer living at your old address, you also need to inform the source of the income of your new location. If your do not have a bank account or direct deposit, you may have your checks come to the Friendship House P.O. Box. Friendship House will also hold money for clients through its escrow savings account. In order to avoid having your money run out on you again, you also want to discuss budgeting with a Friendship House staff person.
If you use alcohol, drugs or tobacco on a regular basis be aware that many of the shelter will not admit you if you are intoxicated and Delaware law restricts smoking inside public buildings like shelters.
If you need someone with whom to talk, the Friendship House staff is always there for you. You don’t need a specific request to talk to them. There is also a wide variety of support groups in the city where you could meet people with common experiences.

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