Supporting Homeless
Dedicated to helping those that want to stay homeless in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island NY. Our mission is to help homeless stay comfortable where you are, no questions asked until your ready to get off the streets.
Homeless Hacks
Stay Safe and Prepared
This tree fell on a homeless man's tent, during a windy rain storm. thank God he left the woods and hung out somewhere else till the storm passed.
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Stay Hydrated: Water is the best and safest drink. Make it your go-to choice to stay cool in summer and warm in winter.
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We Care & Want to Help: If you're struggling with homelessness and ready for a change, call us, or Click here.
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Know Your Resources: Review our available assistance and find out what support we have for you.
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Have a Backup Plan: Tent sites can be removed by towns or other individuals. Always have an alternative location in mind.
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Protect Your Valuables: Keep important items with you at all times.
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Secure Your Identification: Make copies of essential documents and store them online or with a trusted person. Carry only what you need daily.
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Need Supplies? If you need blankets, a tent, a bivy bag, space blanket, bible, back pack, or tarp call or text us.
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It’s important if camping in the woods to always check for dead branches above where you plan on setting camp. Also be aware not to set up your tent by dead trees.
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Walmart app has a flip trac phone refurbished for $10, and monthly service for as low as $15 a month
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Optimum has free wi-fi for emergency's, the connection is good for one hour, then you just reconnect . Optimum has millions of Wi-fi hotspots to see a map click here.
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Know where food pantries are in your area. Click here
How to make a tent with a 10x10 tarp
Real easy tent set up, if you have a tarp or a thick piece of plastic at least 10x10, you can put up a tent.
Cool Hacks That Help
How to make a hammock with a sheet or blanket and rope. Put a tarp over it for shelter.
How to make a poncho and or sleeping bag out of trash's bag.
Other Ways to Shelter
Warning don't sleep in the dumpster, you could die or get seriously injured.
If you find a dumpster with a lid and the owner of the store lets you sleep behind it, you can open the lid to protect yourself from the elements.
What this homeless person did was flip a discarded couch over, threw a tarp over it, and used the couch cushions as a mattress.
Rocket stove the fastest most low profile fire you can make, you only need small branches.
The rocket stove you can make with just about anything, here are a few proven ideas, as you can see the principle is the same, what we like about the rocket stove is no more hunting cutting and splitting firewood, all you need is small sticks easily broken by hand. this is also a low profile low smoke and low flame, heat source.
It’s important to be aware not all stones should be used to make a fire pit, they can crack and explode and send off particles.
A good way to stay warm is to heat up some stones in your fire, and bury them under where you will sleep.
Cook or heat using coffee can and toilet paper roll
This is a real easy and cheap stove-heater to make, all you need is a one pound empty coffee can or one quart paint can, a cheap roll of toilet paper, and rubbing alcohol. You can get these items in food pantries or dollar stores.
Proceed with caution, heating and or cooking with rubbing alcohol is dangerous.
Heating with candles
You can heat your enclosure using candles and an empty food or coffee can of any size. Candles can be purchased at any dollar store. To create a simple heater, take an empty food can and use a can opener or knife to poke holes in the sides for ventilation. Light a candle and place the can over it. For added warmth and humidity, take another can, fill it with water, and place it on top of the first can. The candle's heat will warm the water, creating moisture in the air. If you use drinkable water, you can enhance its use by collecting pine needles from a nearby pine tree to make tea.
For more information: Click here
Rodents, Racoons, Mosquitos, flying Roaches.
This is an encampment where the garbage and trash laying all around the tent
Garbage and trash attract all kinds of animals and rodents
Termite riddled wood is a great to burn to repel mosquito
This is an encampment where the garbage and trash laying all around the tent
You'll never completely stop these pests, but you can control them.
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Look at the pictures above—you’ll see exactly what not to do. This isn’t a tent city; one person lives here, but when his tent becomes uninhabitable, he just sets up another one. See in the slide show the picture of three cans that were opened by raccoons. Garbage attracts, raccoons, rats, mice, flying roaches and squirrels. Any item that holds water, even a bottle cap, becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The more trash, the more pests., and rodents, raccoons and mice will chew holes in your tent if food is stored in their. Keeping your campsite clean is the best way to protect yourself and reduce pesky intruders.
Smart Hacks to Keep Rodents, Raccoons, Mosquitoes, and Flying Roaches Away
Mosquito Control: Burn termite-ridden wood in your fire (see slide show to see pictures of what termite ravaged wood looks like)—the smoke from mosquito excrement acts as a natural repellent. Raccoon prevention: Never leave food in your tent—raccoons will chew through to get it. Keep your campsite clean, bag all trash properly, and dispose of it in a dumpster. The best way to store food is in a sealed five-gallon bucket, suspended from a tree branch with a rope. Mice Prevention: A clean campsite is key. Keep food sealed and remove trash. Flying Roaches: Yes, they’re real! Avoid setting up camp near food stores or dumpsters, and always keep your site tidy.
Tim was homeless for six years—listen to his advice on raccoons. This isn’t just thinking outside the box; it’s real experience. While his methods are helpful, you still need to take action to keep raccoons under control.
Wild Edibles for educational purposes only.
Google lenses will help you identify a plant. People that harvest wild edibles always sample a piece first to be sure they don't have an allergic reaction.
How to boiling water in any form of paper, as long as it can hold water you can boil it.
Safe wild mushrooms to cook and eat.
Stinging nettle, Plantain's, Dandelion, Wild Mint, Wood sorrel, Watercress, Brassica family, Wild onion, Brambleberries - raspberry, blackberry, Apples .
Dandelion, garlic mustard , violet
Chicken of the forest mushrooms, the tips are tender and delicious
Chamomile for digestion and sleep, steep the flowers in boiling water. be careful chamomile is a rag weed, some people are allergic to rag weeds
Weeping willow tree bark, is where they make aspirin from, boiler for ten minutes to make a aspirin tea, use in moderation for headaches
Mullein, great for chest congestion. Despite what your reseach tells you about this plant, DONOT USE IT IN REPLACE OF LEAVES OR TOILET PAPER
Oak tree bark, makes a tasty tea that is great as an anti inflammatory
Pine needle tea will take away hunger pains
Food Hacks
How to open up a can of food by rubbing the top of the can on a rock, side walk, or street.
How to open up a can of food with a spoon.
Free Pizza
Many pizza restaurants have leftover pizza at the end of the night. Try visiting a local pizza place about 15 minutes before closing and politely ask if they have any extra slices they can give you.
Dollar store best deals.
DOLLAR TREE, FAMILY DOLLAR, DOLLAR GENERAL.
The best deals at the dollar stores is when they throw away the expired non perishables, you'll be surprised how many people dumpster dive at the dollar stores.
Homeless in Your Car Hacks
"Stay Safe and Prepared":
Water is the best and safest drink—make it your go-to choice to stay cool in summer and warm in winter. However, many living in their cars avoid drinking water because they worry about needing a bathroom. A good tip is to park near fast food restaurants or public places with restrooms for easy access. Most food pantries provide bottled water, which you can store under your seat—not only for drinking but also in case your car radiator overheats and needs water.
We Care & Want to Help
If you're struggling with homelessness in your car and you're ready for a change, call us or click here for support.
Important Tips for Living in Your Car
Keep Insurance, Registration & Inspection Up to Date Make sure your auto insurance is paid and that your registration and inspection stickers are valid. Avoid fines or getting towed. Your Car Is Your Home—Keep It Clean Whether by choice or circumstance, your car is your living space. Keeping it clean helps avoid unwanted attention and stress. Avoid Clutter Don’t use your car as storage. Only keep items you’ll need for the week to maximize space and stay organized. Find a Reliable Mechanic Build a relationship with a trustworthy mechanic who understands your situation and can fix your car the same day if needed. Always Have Spare Keys Keep one or two spare keys. Give one to a trusted friend or family member if possible, to avoid lockouts. Get AAA or Roadside Assistance If you're living in your car and something goes wrong, AAA membership can save you. The top issues are: Dead battery (need a jump) Flat tire Locked keys inside Invest in a Jump Box A jump box is a smart investment. It can jump-start your car and also charge your phone or other electronics, which is essential for staying connected. Let me know if you want to add links to local resources or services for car-living support—I’m happy to help. Need Supplies? If you need blankets, a bivy bag, space blanket, bible, reach out to us. Know where food pantries and soup kitchens in your area.
"Secure your doors":
Safety Tip: This simple but effective hack can help you feel more secure while sleeping in your car—loop your seatbelt through the door handle to prevent it from being opened from the outside.
Where Can I Park While Living in My Car?
We get asked this question all the time—where can I safely park while living in my car? Many people experiencing homelessness have shared their go-to spots. Here are some common places they’ve told us about: Planet Fitness Parking Lots Open 24/7, and with a membership for about $10/month, you can use their facilities for showers, bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. Park and Ride Lots These commuter lots are often low-traffic at night and a popular choice for overnight parking. Dix Hills Welcome Center (Long Island, NY) Located on I-495 Eastbound between Exits 51-52. Open 24 hours, but note they have a 3-hour parking limit—be mindful to avoid tickets or issues. Additional Parking Tips: Avoid Parking Near Dumpsters or Woods in Summer In parking lots near wooded areas or restaurants, stay away from dumpsters and wooded edges, especially in summer. These areas can attract flying cockroaches and other pests. Stay Out of High-Crime Areas Always stay aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts—if it doesn’t feel safe, leave. Park in Packs for Safety When possible, connect with other people living in cars and park nearby. There’s safety in numbers.
Helpful Blogs
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Here's what you need to know about bed bugs. Click here
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Are you homeless? Here are some ideas to get rid of rodents in your sleeping area. Click here
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Homeless Individuals Living in the woods, and first time camping, hacks. Click here
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How to deal with Raccoon’s in your encampment. Click here
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Foraging for wild edibles on Long Island, NY, can be a rewarding experience, but it's essential to start carefully and with the right knowledge. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started: Click here
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The BIVY Bag, Understanding BIVY Bags: Uses, Benefits, and Disadvantages. Click here
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Pros and cons of using propane heaters in tents and vans and heating a tent in winter. Click here
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HOW TO STAY WARM! Are you homeless in the winter time? What fluids you should drink and what should you avoid? Click here