‘You can’t help someone if they won’t help themselves.‘ It’s a saying as old as time, one we’ve all heard repeatedly throughout our lives. Sadly, it often rings true. No matter how hard you try, it’s challenging to lend a helping hand and make a meaningful difference in someone’s life when they’re not fully committed to improving their situation. Ryan Bray, a compassionate resident of Florida, learned this lesson firsthand while commuting home from work, passing by beggars on the street along the way. However, one Sunday, he encountered a panhandler with a particularly disheartening story that moved him to intervene in the most meaningful way he knew how.1
Instead of offering the man some spare change – a temporary fix that wouldn’t address the root of his problems – Ryan Bray decided to think bigger and more grandiosely. He extended an offer of employment to the homeless man, proposing a wage of $15 per hour. Ryan explains, “He reached his arms inside my vehicle, resting them, and said, ‘Hey do you have any money?’ I said, ‘No, I have one better for you.'”
The position would involve working for Ryan’s family business, an opportunity that could potentially lift the panhandler off the streets permanently. It was a chance for a fresh start and a brighter future, a gesture that demonstrated genuine compassion.
The Panhandler’s Surprising Response
To his astonishment, the beggar had no intentions of accepting a genuine job offer, replying to his proposutuin with a firm “absolutely not!”2 He informed Ryan that he was content with his current situation, sitting on the street corner and begging for money, believing it was more lucrative than the employment opportunity Ryan presented. This response left Ryan utterly perplexed and dismayed. He had extended a hand to change the man’s life for the better, only to have the gesture thrown back in his face.
Frustrated by this discouraging encounter, Ryan Bray decided to take matters into his own hands. He returned home, crafted a sign, and returned to the same street corner where he initially met the panhandler. His sign was meant to serve as a stark warning to the public, urging them not to give money to panhandlers. The sign detailed the employment offer made to the homeless man, emphasizing the rejection it had received. It highlighted the notion that withholding handouts might encourage panhandlers to leave the neighborhood, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
A Community United
During his three-hour vigil with the sign, Ryan once again encountered the same panhandler who had kicked his car earlier. His presence was a powerful statement to passing motorists, underscoring the panhandler’s preference for soliciting money over earning it through honest employment. Ryan’s act urged community members to rethink their approach to panhandling. He encouraged them to ignore beggars and refrain from handing out cash, focusing on long-term solutions rather than short-term relief.
Ryan Bray is now taking his campaign a step further by calling on the local council to address the issue of aggressive panhandling in Bradenton. He understands the challenges faced by homeless individuals and sympathizes with their plight. However, he firmly believes that aggressive panhandlers can earn more money on street corners than through honest employment.
“Every time anyone comes down 75th they are there. None of us want them in our neighborhood. They get irate and curse at you if you don’t give them any money.”
Brian perceives panhandlers as an issue in the community, especially when they resort to aggressive and offensive behavior. His story highlights the difficulties faced by individuals seeking to help the homeless and the pressing need for comprehensive solutions to tackle aggressive panhandling in the community.
This story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities surrounding those who experience homelessness and the challenges faced by those attempting to make a difference. It begs a fundamental question: How can we extend our help and support to those who may not be willing to help themselves? Homelessness is a multifaceted issue that demands thoughtful solutions, community involvement, and compassionate efforts to lift individuals off the streets and onto a path of recovery and self-sufficiency.
Keep Reading: Dad thinks homeless man is a beggar – his heart stops when his child reveals the truth
Sources
- “Man rejected by panhandler after offering honest work – so he makes brilliant sign of his own.” Newsner. Michael Panter. October 9, 2023.
- “‘I offered him $15 an hour to do yard work for me and he refused’: Business owner who says he offered a Florida panhandler a job but was told ‘absolutely not!’ joins him on intersection with his OWN sign.” Daily Mail. Luke Kenton. July 16, 2019.