I am a homeless activist. I see potential in both the currency and the community. Here is how:
The activists I work with work at a grassroots level. While we do not eschew public help entirely, our primary focus is on networking to provide immediate assistance and skip the normal bureaucratic channels. A perfect example is recently when a generator failed for a camp that is being maintained, a plea was put out, and the generator was replaced in a matter of hours, most importantly before darkness hit and the need is greater.
As we learn and grow in understanding how to utilize these channels, we will be able to provide both the networking to get the word out, and the financial resources to meet the needs where they are, and compassion can work directly, which is where it is generally most efficient.