The Importance Of Being A Civitan

Her ray of love has even brought six kids to this gorgeous state. She had four of them in a life span of six years from the age eighteen to twenty-four. Seven years later she had my sister Chrissy and nine years after that she had me. She would do anything to make this family shine brighter and has shown me to do the same. Her love and affection

I offer my services to the community in a way that many people wouldn’t expect. Due to financial issues I wasn’t able to volunteer the way that I wanted to but that didn’t change anything. In my area and amongst peers I have become someone they can come to in times of needs, whether it’s for a place to sleep, a hot meal, or an outlet for their emotional and mental distress. I have done extensive research on how to handle certain mental illnesses and emotional outburst so I can be prepared to give everyone the care they need. I am also very active in educating other members of my family and community about mental illness, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse in the black community. I found that there are many ways to give back to the community.

People often think that homelessness only affects men and women but in reality homelessness also affects families “It is estimated that 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness every year. Among this group, 17 percent are single women and 30 percent are families with children” (Finfgeld-Connet, 2010, p.1). It is said that women along with their children are among the fastest growing homeless population and not only does it impact women but it also impacts their children significantly.

These homeless families face many adversities and issues when seeking permanent housing like possible separation from their family members due to many

The work that I chose to write about is “The Homeless and Their Children” taken from Jonathan Kozol’s book, “Rachel and Her Children”. This is a story of a woman whom Kozol calls Laura and her four children that lived in a run-down hotel room in 1985.

Although homeless families are decreasing slightly in the United States, it is still a high-risk area. A large proportion of these families are made up of single mothers with at least one child. The

Ms. Sparklyn has no family support residing in Michigan. When she lost her job her and the children were homeless living at Genesis House and then Cass Community Social Services waiting on housing. She is a very kind person and fell on hard times. She is very excited about moving into her new apartment after living in the shelter for so

Her whole world was crashing down. It what seemed like only a split second, her best friend’s father had been condemned to death. Someone who she considered to be like a father was going to be taken away, ripped away from her.

Grant, Roy, M.A., et al. "Twenty-Five Years of Child and Family Homelessness: Where are we

We generally think of the homeless as people who made bad choices and are doing nothing to help themselves. We rarely think of the parents who have to decide on either feeding their children or paying rent. On how one event leads to a series of events that change the course of history for these families. A family with only one provider who dies unexpectedly, leaving the family with no means of providing for itself. A mother who has to choose the safety of her children over the comfort her abuser provides. Against popular belief that most homeless are mentally ill or lazy people who do not want to work, there are many causes of homelessness (Top Causes of Homelessness in America, 2015).

Through my past experience with this problem, I was interested to learn more information about the issues surrounding homelessness. Recently, I volunteered at the Vinnies Fitzroy Soup Van and was completely shocked seeing how people can live in situations where food may not be an option that week. Being able to voluntarily help a person suffering was such an amazing and heart-warming feeling. After many visits, I was fortunate enough to hear a story from a young woman named Louise. She had discussed that she ran away from her home after her father had repeatedly assaulted her, which concluded to her being homeless. To hear this personal story it made me realise the many upsetting factors that contribute to people being forced to become homeless.

Over time they turned their lives around and were able to obtain a small yet comfortable apartment where she lived with her mother. When my cousin told me all that she went through I felt sorry for what had happened, but she said “It was an experience that I do not wish upon anyone, but it also made me appreciate all the little things that I did not have when I was in the shelter”, (Machado, 2005). This goes to show you that it can happen to anyone, but it becomes an individual’s choice whether to get out of it or simply stay homeless. For the most part I believe that children are most at risk of becoming homeless. An adult man or woman can manage being homeless out in the streets. This would not be the case if it were a child, because a child can not make decisions or have any notion of survival skills.

Throughout the years I have demonstrated my commitment to public service by giving back to the community as a volunteer. I have volunteered with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club as a mentor, various local high schools as a panelist during their senior students Culminating Exhibition, and at a local museum in guest services and

Companies closing or laying-off workers has left many un- and under-employed. Once a family begins operating at a deficit, recovery becomes more difficult. Without significant savings or familial support, circumstances may conspire to render families homeless through foreclosure or eviction. Once a family has lost stable housing and employment, regaining it may prove to be an insurmountable hurdle that may only be scaled with the assistance of the community.

I am- is a concept and thought and feeling and outfit. I am me and I am myself.. I am this and I am that. I am everything and I am nothing. I am my own worst critic. I am going to