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Sociological approach to ending homelessness
Sociological approach to ending homelessness
Sociological approach to ending homelessness
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I am currently involved with an organization called Lost-N-Found (LNF) which serves the homeless LGBT youth population in Atlanta. As a volunteer for LNF I routinely work with other volunteers doing street outreach. We canvass known hangouts for homeless youth in Atlanta actively networking with the community to identify and find homeless youth. Statistics indicate that the first 24 hours of homelessness among LGBT youth is the most vital in terms of reaching them before they either break the law in some form or prostitute themselves as a means to get by. While canvassing the streets we provide immediate sanitary supplies and food items to homeless people around the city. We also make an effort to drive all eligible homeless to the LNF center
where they can get additional assistance. LNF also provides longer term assistance to LGBT youth with the end goal of making sure they have permanent long term stable housing and a positive outlook. I also volunteer as a mentor to youth that are enrolled in the organization's long term assistance program. I take an active role in any other opportunities that present themselves with LNF including serving as a volunteer bar tender during their annual fund raiser. I am also an active supporter of The Children's Tumor Foundation and their Neurofibromatosis type 2 fund raising activities.
Most individuals would suggest creating a homeless shelter, but that solution is unrealistic due to budgets, and the lack of funds from the community and Calvary Chapel. The cost of these solutions is reasonable and within reach. The solution will provide jobs and offer a sense of self-esteem most homeless have lost. The homeless as well as the community will thrive from this program and lives will be changed. Individuals, who were stuck on the street cold and alone, will be given the opportunity to go out and make a change in their lives. Although, many might suggest that many homeless are ex drug addicts or alcoholics, there are many who do not have the financial stability to survive and live a life of normality but will do what it takes to change their situation. Hess suggests that, “What many people need is an opportunity to get back on their feet and develop their own income” (Feuer, 2012, para.15). My solution offers this opportunity and by implementing it, homeless will have the power to change their
While they may not be somebody you immediately know, they are still humans that deserve respect and compassion from others. The homeless problem present in Anaheim is something that simply can not be ignored any longer and demands the attention of the higher ups. Firstly, a proper branch of our main city government should be allocated to the cause. This branch will focus on all homeless related incidents and stirrups in the community with certain agents and correspondents to help sort out dangerous situations. They with have a moderate budget at their disposal, which can be raised mainly through donations and fundraisers, but hopefully with some generous donations from our esteemed members of Anaheim. The budget provided to the branch can be used whenever seen fit to benefit the homeless the most such as different types of food drives or medical resources. These will be open to the homeless 24/7 because emergency has no dedicated time and can strike at any moment. Once a project like this is completed we believe more advertisement displaying all the different forms of aid available to the homeless can be extremely useful as many simply do not know where and how to find theses types of help. These can range from pamphlets to billboard placements or different types
Youth homelessness is a global social issue that is rapidly increasing. Shelton & Bond (2017) divulged how accurate data on the prevalence of youth homelessness in the United States are significantly lacking. It could be due to the challenges of collecting data and variance in definitions of what constitutes homelessness for youth. Often times there are multiple levels of oppression evident amongst vulnerable individuals. Homeless transgendered youth are susceptible to intersectionality. As stated in Competency 6, it is imperative for the ethical profession of Social Work, to be engaged and understanding of the multitude of social issues that impact individuals. Thus, Social Workers are expected to be agents of change, and it is an professional responsibility to challenge unjust policies, systems, and ideologies on the behalf of marginalized, oppressed, and vulnerable populations.
Even with the daily struggle faced by youth in obtaining shelter and homelessness becoming a reality for a growing number of Canadians, Canada, with its high quality of life is one country that has always had a global long-standing reputation. This paper will be working towards giving the reader a better understanding with regards to homeless youth. It will be focusing on the reasons why they leave home, their lives on the street and steps they are trying to take to be able to leave the streets. An important finding from this research suggests, “the street youth population is diverse, complex, and heterogeneous”. According to Karabanow, made up of a number of subcultures including hardcore street-entrenched young people, squatters, group home kids, child welfare kids, soft-core twinkles, runaways, throwaways, refugees and immigrants is the generic term ‘street youth’.
If you wanted to examine young people's experiences of homelessness, would you use qualitative methods, or quantitative methods, or a mixed methods approach, and why?
Have you ever noticed that while you’re driving around Austin that the homeless have become a common casualty to exhibit. I know the first thing that comes to mind is, “How ridiculous, why don’t they just get a job!”It perfectly acceptable to wonder, whether your money would go towards feeding a starving stomach or a drug addiction, therefore your generosity would be put to better use through a charity foundation or simply by offering a meal. The reality is that the majority of people who are homeless are unable to work due to certain disabilities. In other words, the best response is compassion. There is only so far we can do as a community, the major change has to come from a superior source, which is why I propose that the City of Austin
I have heard stories from my friends that are horrible, especially considering they were all under 18 during these events within their lives. Therefore, I believe the homeless youth in our community need more attention due to their age and lack of confidence. For example, my boyfriend Alex was homeless when we started dating. All of his siblings were taken away separately from child services due to abuse, addiction and neglect within his family. He lived in a shelter where teens were using drugs, stealing and some were even into prostitution. I do understand that not all shelters are this way, but in his experience, he has lived in three different ones and all of them had some of these factors within them. I used to believe there were many options for the homeless, especially teenagers, but from my own second-hand experiences there are really not that many alternatives. “Sometimes it is safer to sleep on the street than some homeless shelters we came across”, suggests Alex Black, a former homeless youth. These shelters can be horrifying to the point that many teens, including Alex, run away. Society looks down on the homeless, creating a barrier surrounding our social structure, placing them at the bottom. Many people in our community believe it is not their place to help, some just are selfish or look the other way and keep on walking.“Whoever closes
Homelessness is a real serious health issue all over the world that must be addressed. A lot of people in a public frequently misunderstand the cause of homelessness. Remarks regarding homeless people such as “they need to just get a job” or “go to school” are normally used liberally by members of society because they neglect to look at the complete issue. Homelessness does not discriminate. Individuals that have previously experience or may experience being homeless can be from different regions, have different cultural backgrounds, ages, and could be of any gender. Minorities seem to be mostly affected by homelessness. A study done in 2012 found that the homeless population is consisted of 39% non-Hispanic Whites, 42% African-Americans, 13% Hispanic, 4% Native-American, and 2% Asian (Now on PBS, 2012). The End Homelessness website provides the following statistics:
This essay will discuss the health problems and health service issues that are associated with homelessness. Homelessness is an increasing concern as a public health issue in many western countries. This is mainly influenced by social factors which affects 100 million worldwide. (Badiaga, 2008). The legal definition of homelessness is associated with the right to a home, irrespective of the home condition and includes sleeping rough and sofa-surfing (Wilson and Mabhala, 2013). The 2002 Homelessness Act recommend the importance for housing authorities to assess and structure strategy for the homeless with different agencies involved to tackle problems such as employment, health, educational achievements and opportunities, also
A current social justice issue that is faced in our world today is people experiencing homelessness; this issue is a main focus in the Catholic Church.
‘Homelessness’ is when an individual or family cannot afford permanent housing. Homelessness is a common problem in human history. There are many reasons why people reached the state of homelessness such as; physical, economic, social and political. These problems continue to interfere with people’s lives. In the early stages of the American colonial settlement, homelessness became a huge problem in America. Most recently homelessness has been caused by the high cost of housing, alcoholism and drug addictions, mental health issues, joblessness and military veterans coming home. Many people who have jobs here in America still cannot afford permanent housing because the minimum wage which is $7.25 is not enough money to make a good living. The people who gets pay $7.25 an hour struggles because by the time they’re done paying all their bills they have very little to buy groceries, so most of the times people buy food for them and their family which means eventually they’re going to owe a lot of money for rent, which is going to lead to eviction. The United States needs a comprehensive plan to end homelessness in the richest country in the world once and for all.
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.
Countless throughout the streets of Jackson, MS there are homeless people asking for food, money, etc. and some people aid them and others walk away. However, does anyone ever see the other side of the equation? Driving down Gallatin St. one night I saw firsthand the “other side”. Because of this, the issue that my research will cover is homelessness. Homelessness is defined as a state in which individuals lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence. Poverty, lack of affordable housing, declining wages, lost jobs, the economy, foreclosure, decreased assistance programs, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, single parenthood, etc. are some of the causes of homelessness in America. Some of the proposed solutions are: affordable housing and homeless prevention programs. However, there needs to be less energy focused on providing temporary housing for those who are homeless, and more focus on providing permanent, affordable housing. Homelessness is an issue that should concern all of us. With a decrease in this situation it would clear up the amount of people walking around on the streets and everyone would feel more comfortable traveling at night. If someone is homeless, it is a common belief that they are more inclined to criminal activity; therefore less homelessness could equal less crime. Homelessness is not discriminatory and can happen to anyone at any time.
An old man was curled up, sleeping on a grate on the side walk. Hisclothes were layered and dirty. His face looked weathered and was covered with dirt. He used a piece of cardboard for a blanket. Lying beside him was a plastic grocery bag which contained his belongings. I will never forget this sight. This was the first homeless person I had ever seen. I felt scared and helpless at the same time. I had never been in his world and he was probably dreaming about being in mine. I left Washington D.C. a few days later to return home to a warm house and a loving family. Meanwhile, he was probably searching for a way to find what I have.
In my fieldwork/work it is sad to see the situations that children are placed in because bad behaviors and the situation that has caused homelessness. Some parents do not take their current condition serious, when they come into the shelter/program rules, goals, and follow-up with coaches/family advocate must be followed. It sad and frustrating when parents care more about themselves than their children; it's the children who suffer. The helping profession is caring about others and trying to assist them in improving their lifestyle for the future. The tools and guidance is there for the asking the motivation comes from withing to pursue it. Take a step back and stay calm by going for a break/walk and come back and release the stress that was