"A Season of Giving: Embracing Empathy and Respect for All"
As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded that while many celebrate with joy and warmth, there are countless individuals facing significant struggles—whether its homelessness, mental health challenges, substance abuse, or the scars of domestic violence. For these individuals, the holiday season can bring a heightened sense of isolation and despair. In our communities, people are often fighting battles we may never see, and too often, these struggles are misunderstood or met with judgment. It’s important, especially during this time of year, to remember that everyone deserves compassion and respect, regardless of their circumstances. Homelessness and hardship don’t have simple solutions, but what each person truly needs is to be treated with dignity, supported without assumption, and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives, with kindness as the foundation.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of making assumptions about why people are homeless or struggling. Some may think it's a choice, or that those without a roof over their heads or facing addiction or mental health crises aren’t trying hard enough. The reality is far more complicated. Many factors—economic hardship, physical or mental illness, family breakdown, addiction, or domestic violence—can contribute to someone’s circumstances. What remains true is that no matter the cause, every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have access to the basic human rights of shelter, food, and safety.
Recently, I had a personal experience that deepened my understanding of how we can respond to those in need, not with judgment, but with empathy. I was at Starbucks on a chilly morning when I noticed a man outside in a short-sleeve shirt, visibly cold. He approached me and asked for money. For a moment, I hesitated—like many of us might. What is the right thing to do? I wondered. Would the money truly help him? How would he spend it? These are the questions that often come to mind when we face moments like this. But there were other questions too: Is this man really homeless? Does he really need help? These doubts are natural—we all want to make sure our help is truly going to those in need.
Instead of handing him money, I asked him if he wanted a coffee. He smiled and asked for a muffin instead. I went inside, bought the muffin, and made sure to have it warmed up before I handed it to him. Was this the perfect solution? In that moment, it was a choice made with care, addressing his immediate need for food. I began to reflect on the deeper questions: Did it really matter whether I gave him money or food? We may never fully know how someone will use the resources we offer. Maybe money would have helped him, but maybe it wouldn’t have. We can’t always control how others will use what we give them, and maybe sometimes that’s not for us to decide.
When I returned with the muffin, I took a moment to talk with him. I asked a few questions about his situation ready to share with him information about local shelters should he need one. For many who are struggling, simply knowing where to turn for help can be a turning point. Sometimes, people just need to be reminded that there is help available, and that they are not alone in their challenges. We can’t always solve someone's problems, but we can guide them toward support, even if that just means offering a bit of information or lending a listening ear.
In that interaction, I was reminded that there is no “perfect” choice when it comes to helping others. Some might have chosen to give him money, others might have offered food or clothing. We all help in different ways, and that’s okay. What truly matters is that we choose to act and we do so with kindness, empathy, and without hesitation.
This holiday season, let's challenge ourselves to approach those in need with open hearts and minds. When we extend our help, we don't just meet immediate needs; we restore dignity, and we remind people that they are seen, valued, and worthy of support. Let’s choose empathy over judgment, respect over assumptions. The person standing before us may be facing struggles we don’t fully understand, but that doesn’t diminish their right to a warm meal, a safe place, or even just a moment of human connection.
The power of philanthropy brings us together—because nothing of real value is ever accomplished through division or judgment. When we come together to help others, we affirm the value of our shared humanity. It’s not about how much we give, but the intent behind it—the empathy, the respect, and the care that we extend. What a wonderful blessing it would be to address the needs of all our fellow neighbors, and in doing so, build a more compassionate, connected, and united community.
By Paula Yevincy
President and CEO
United Way of the Ohio Valley
November 2024
For Messenger-Inquirer