By Raylee Foster | Staff Writer

McLennan County’s homeless rates fluctuate over the years and many remain struggling to find housing constantly. There are many stigmas that exist regarding homelessness. The homeless community has a different message to Baylor students about the type of aid they need.

According to Data USA, out of McLennan County’s 254,000 residents, 18.3% are living with severe housing problems.

Virginia Beach, Virginia sophomore Emily Demieri said people’s behavior toward the homeless is often poorly shaped by assumptions they make about the community. These assumptions can be societal or personal, however, they are predominantly negative.

“People are definitely afraid, and they don’t like being near [the homeless population] in a sense,” Demieri said.

Antonio, a member of Waco’s homeless population, said people make assumptions about the homeless community and overlook the flaws in society that contribute to it.

“The problem is out there in society,” said Antonio. “It’s kind of like a reverse psychology thing — looking at us like we’re wrong and they’re right, but [society] suffers more than homeless people do.”

Antonio said people are quick to pity the homeless community, but there is more resistance to admitting there are bigger societal problems that need to be addressed.

Lubbock sophomore Bethany Watson said many stigmas she has heard about the homeless community seem to be taught to many from an early age.

“It’s what we all have grown up being taught, like, ‘don’t talk to strangers,’” Watson said.

Both Demieri and Watson said they believe most homeless people are harmless and are just asking for help because that’s “what they have to do.”

Antonio, however, said the homeless community needs a different kind of help than what most people expect.

“It’s not about passing money or giving out food, nothing like that,” Antonio said. “People don’t need that, they need love, they need that friendship. It’s scientifically proven.”

Antonio also said the posture people are approaching their service with is important.

“I can’t tell nobody what to do, but like I said, it’s in your heart,” Antonio said. “If you feel like you need to help someone out, do it from the heart — not to show off. Not for seeing or trying to get a reputation for it. Do it from the heart.”

Eric, also a member of Waco’s homeless community, agreed with Antonio’s belief there is a greater need for compassion than there is for supplies. He said offering time, talent and building relationships are more important than donations.

“Get a little bit more involved, you know,” Eric said. “Behind the scenes [students are] probably doing a lot but out in the open, not so much.”

Eric also said Baylor students — in their attempt to get more involved — could serve the homeless community with their talents. When asked what one thing he would ask from the Baylor community was, he said education.

“More outreach toward people learning to read. You know, there’s still people out there who don’t know how to read,” Eric said. “I don’t know if they need GED’s or anything, but some basic math skills, stuff like that. I think that would be helpful.”

Mission Waco is a local and global non-profit that offers opportunities to get involved in the community. For more information on serving the homeless community in McLennan County, visit their website.

Editor’s note: We have omitted last names of people in the homeless community for their safety.