The first rule when mentoring the poor is to give time not money. A handbook on Charitable Organization, written in 1882, lays this out nicely. They described the mentor as a “volunteer visitor,” and here is the number one rule [i]:
I. In accordance with the fundamental principles of the scheme the visitor is required strictly to abstain from giving relief or being the almoner of the charity of others.
A Charity Saying No To Money
Can you imagine that? Here is a charity that recommends that people work with the poor but spend no money on the endeavor. The book makes the postulate that for individuals to be good mentors to the poor, giving money, food, or benefits is counter-productive. Instead, a good mentor needs to give their time and talents. They need to provide the alms of good advice, not the alms themselves. Those alms can come from government, charity, family, or friends, but not the mentor.
The Success of Giving Time Not Money
If all goes well, they can achieve what is described in the Handbook of Charity Organization [ii]:
“The Buffalo Society today has the confidence of the entire community, and even the poor now see that we are their true friends; so much so, that our Agents are often stopped as they are on their way to investigate cases, with the request, ‘do just stop in, and see how nicely I’m getting along’.”
Across America today, many people have this relationship with the poor. They are the front-line fighters giving the most valuable resource – their thoughts, care, and friendship. They give their time, not money.
This blog supports the Ultimate Guide on How to Help the Poor – Change the Approach
[i] Stephen Humphreys Gurteen. A Handbook on Charity Organization. Published by the author, 1882. Republished by Bibliolife, LLC. Page 176
[ii] Ibid. Page 129.