I have not always had the best experience working with others to college, however, I am experiencing positive effects with my work at the Anchorage Assembly. I did a feasibility report on homelessness with a couple of my classmates for my Technical Writing class; it wasn’t the best experience for me because I ended up doing most of the work. What I am experiencing now though, is well worth it, I believe. My internship with the Anchorage Assembly is helping me put my research and writing skills to work. I was recently asked by Forrest Dunbar and his aide to collaborate with other interns within the Anchorage Assembly to work on a project concerning homelessness. For this project we will be conducting research on homeless youth in Anchorage;
our main focus is going to be college youth. I have had several of my former classmates tell me that they are experiencing financial woes and are on the brink of becoming homeless. I believe that the issue of youth homelessness is more prevalent than some may realize when they think of homelessness and I am glad that I will be able to research and learn more about it. The project is just beginning to come to fruition so I don’t know all of the details as of yet. My project partners and I will be doing a lot of volunteer work around Anchorage to get others views on homeless youth. I am glad though that I will be working with others who are as passionate about finding solutions to homelessness as much as I am. Forrest Dunbar and his aide have been asking for my opinions a lot and want to hear what ideas I may have to tackle this issue. I have already suggested several ideas that I had incorporated into the group project that I had did at UAA which they really like. I am excited to see what the results of this project are going to produce. Forrest’s aide told me that getting an idea of ours into ordinance is highly unlikely, however, I am optimistic because, you never know.
Finkelstein, M. (2005). With no direction home: homeless youth on the road and in the streets. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Above all, this research study in homeless youth strives to improve the effectiveness of programs by asking for feedback to produce better quality interventions. Therefore, The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act took into consideration
When we think of homelessness, we often think of people middle aged and older. For many years now, the problem has become more real to the younger generation. Some are there by choice but still, many are there because of circumstances beyond their control. In the report written by Eleanor J. Bader, she uncovers some of the faces of homeless people that just happen to be college students. According to Mary Jean LeTendre, who was interviewed in the report, “no college has ever asked for help in reaching homeless students” (638).
The National Coalition for the Homeless (2006) is the most effective strategy as it seeks to address the problem of homelessness through various means, including volunteer work, advocacy efforts, and contributions. Firstly, the strategy requires people to volunteer their time to work directly with the victims of homelessness in the city to help them meet their immediate needs. People can volunteer their time to work with children in various programs, share hobbies, and help build houses and shelters among others (Miller, Hess, & Orthmann, 2011). This is extremely important and can help victims of homelessness to acquire some of the basic needs they lack.
This short memo is being sent out to inform your office about the issues of homelessness and how homelessness is tied into our society. The topics that will be covered in the memo are, the definition of homelessness, how it affects society, the different causes of homelessness, and how it is going to affect society in the future if something is not done about it now. A homeless person is characterized as someone who does not have a stable or permanent residence and frequently sleeps in public or private monitored places. There are many causes of homelessness but the main ones are lack of affordable housing, addictions and long term mental issues. Homelessness is not just a burden upon a few people but on the society as a whole, incarcerations, hospitalization, medical expenses and emergency shelters are some of the expenditures society pays for from taxes. If this problem isn’t taken care of, there will be more people in poverty, more uneducated people and the gap between the rich and poor will grow tremendously. Homelessness is an issue that needs a long term solution.
...on the homeless community. I previously held preconceived notions that the homeless consisted of people who were either unable to connect and form relationships with others or didn’t desire to do so. Yet, I observed most everyone greeting one another and reminiscing with those who have been absent from the community for a while, as well as, expressing concern for those missing. I recognized that the homeless may live in a non-traditional way, but they have established their own communities and are successful in forming and maintaining cohesive relationships.
Here in Tahoe, we are lucky enough to experience a great quality of life, and only a few have to face the horrible life of poverty and homelessness. However, nationwide, even right outside the basin, homelessness is a growing epidemic across the country. There are many ways one can become homeless; for the most part poverty. There are also different concentrations of homeless in different types of terrain, such as urban or suburban areas. Last, there is the ever- growing homeless population, and how much money it costs us for others to live in poverty. These are the questions we ask ourselves about homelessness, and the only way we can help is to know the facts about this lingering subject.
Tunstall, L. (2009). Homelessness: an overview. EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. Retrieved February 5, 2011, from http://web.ebscohost.com/pov/detail?hid=119&sid=d5f751fa-0d0d-4ed1-8deb-483e701af50c%40sessionmgr111&vid=3&bdata=Jmxhbmc9ZW4tY2Emc2l0ZT1wb3YtY2Fu#db=p3h&AN=28674966
McNamara, Robert Hartmann. "Homelessness." Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues. Ed. Michael Shally-Jensen. Vol. 3: Family and Society. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011. 1024-1031. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 2 May 2014. .
Although most people know what homelessness is and it occurs in most societies, it is important to define because the forces of displacement vary greatly, along with the arrangement and meaning of the resulting transient state. The Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 defined a homeless person as “an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence or a person who resides in a shelter, welfare hotel, transitional program or place not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation, such as streets, cars, movie theaters, abandoned buildings, etc.” Resent surveys conducted in the U.S. have confirmed that the homeless population in America is extremely diverse and includes representatives from all segments of society, including: the old and young, men and women, single people and families, city dwellers and rural residents, whites and people of color, employed and unemployed, able workers and people with serious health problems. The diversity among people that are homeless reflects how difficult it is to generalize the causes of homelessness and the needs of homeless people. Robert Rosenheck M.D., the author of Special Populations of Homeless Americans, explains the importance of studying homelessness based on subgroups, “each subgroup [of homeless people] has unique service needs and identifying these needs is critical for program planning and design.” Despite these diversities, homelessness is a devastating situation for all that experience it. Not only have homeless people lost their dwelling, but they have also lost their safety, privacy, control, and domestic comfort.
Homelessness is a social issue that has been overlooked for too long. It can be observed in many states worldwide. The rising population of homeless people affects those characterized as homeless, their families subjected to the lifestyle, and the communities where homelessness exists. There are many solutions but only a few will be discussed. Improving existing shelters and building new shelters are general solutions. More in depth solutions within the shelters include programs that assist the homeless with opportunities for re-entry into the community. I would first like to discuss reasons why this issue should be looked into and conclude with recommendations.
...is to understand the factors that lead people into homelessness, that keep them homeless, and how they can recover from homelessness. Advocates for the homeless have proposed policies range from taking preventative measures, such as making housing and health care affordable, to policies that deal with individuals that are already homeless, such as rapid rehousing and redefining what it means to be homeless. Although many of the experts disagree on how the homeless epidemic should be handled, many acknowledge that the federal government plays an inexpendable role in helping the homeless. Homelessness is, obviously, a complex issue, but like all difficult issues it must be undertaken. It has become clear that homelessness is not something that will eradicate itself given time, homelessness will continue to grow and evolve unless an outside force stops it in its tracks.
The understanding and respect I have gained from the interview with John Doe will be everlasting. I have a refreshing faith in humanity and I will continue to do my part for the good of society. I know now that it is my responsibility and moral obligation to bring awareness to those who may be left behind by society. I must continue to give a voice to the voiceless, and aide to those in need. I wish to separate the homeless people who want stability from those who do not. I will help those who wish to become better and make it so that they have a fighting chance. “While circumstance may vary, the main reason people experience homelessness is because they cannot find housing they can afford” (National Alliance to End Homelessness). I will fight to make all resources available to those in need and increase awareness. “564,708 people are homeless on any given night in America” (National Alliance to End Homelessness). And these numbers are only growing. There is no reason why that number should not decrease in the United States of America. While feeding the homeless and temporary shelter is only a short-term fix, I believe we can implement more permanent solutions. Funding to build homeless programs and help mainstream them back to stability is something I aim to work towards as a Social Worker. After my experience interviewing John Doe, I know that there is a massive amount of deserving individuals who could use our help. I wish to bring awareness to those
(Transition: Know you understand how big the problem of homelessness is and how you can help)
This great nation of awesome power and abundant resources is losing the battle against homelessness. The casualties can be seen on the street corners of every city in American holding an ?I will work for food? sign. Homeless shelters and rescue missions are at full capacity. There is no room at the inn for the nation?s indigent. Anyone who has studied this issue understands that homelessness is a complex problem. Communities continue to struggle with this socio-economic problem while attempting to understand its causes and implement solutions. The public and private sectors of this country are making a difference in the lives of the homeless by addressing the issues of housing, poverty and education.