Speak Up Invite Cards
Use Invite Cards to encourage anyone facing homelessness to discover opportunities with Speak Up for writing, empowerment, and community.
These can be used anywhere in the USA.
Keep them in a card wallet to hand out freely.
Or pair them with a bag of helpful homeless survival items (ideas below) to also offer practical support.
When Interacting: Be Real
Show respect, speak with kindness, and give something useful.
Take off your sunglasses. Ask their name. Tell them your name.
Treat them like a human going through hardship. Empathize. Say: “What you are facing must be really hard. Here are a few things to help.”
It’s not complicated. Just be yourself.
Useful Things to Put in a Ziploc Style Bag
Assemble any combination of the items below in a quart or gallon-sized zipper bag. Keep a couple handy in your vehicle.
Socks
Foot Powder (small container)
Water bottle(s)
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Non-perishable snacks like crackers, snack bars, nuts, gummy bears
Hand sanitizer (alcohol-free)
A hand-written note of encouragement
Also consider: Nail clippers, a comb or brush, soap, washcloth, shampoo, toilet paper
Don’t forget to include a Speak Up Invite Card