Training Ground For Homelessness

Homelessness has been a prevalent and contentious topic since its public emergence in the 1980’s. In fact, according to the most recent estimates, on any given night in the United States, there are roughly 645,000 people residing in homeless shelters or unsheltered street locations (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2011). And based on a local study done by the Mental Health Unit at the Houston Police Department in 2011, Houston has the largest homeless population in Texas and the eighth largest in the United States. While many great efforts have been put forth to aid the homeless population in Houston, “the public health epidemiology task of quantifying and tracking child and family homelessness over time has been complicated…by increasing rates of…shortages [in] affordable housing” (Grant et al., 2013), and restrictions on temporary encampments (Loftus-Ferren, 2013). In order to successfully reduce, prevent and combat homelessness, more policies must be put in place to create sustainable, affordable housing for homeless families and to modify current laws that harm homeless individuals.

Disability has been a difficult topic of society for years. Many people find discomfort in the presence of the disabled and many feel pity for those who are disabled. Back in the 1800s, the disabled were perceived as unable to contribute to society, often forced to undergo sterilization, and forced into institutions and asylums (“A Brief History”). In fact, this treatment of the disabled and mentally ill has been persistent until somewhat recently, when the Civil Rights movement took place, and those with disabilities decided to take a stand for their rights. Although people with disabilities continue to face difficulties in finding jobs, legitimizing their opinion, having the right to vote, and choosing whether or not they receive or refuse

The amount of people who live with disabilities is a controversial number. Depending on what law and diagnostic tools used, a person may have a visible disability, or one that may lie beneath the surface of his or her appearance. Some people believe that the term “disability” is merely a label use to hold back, or prescribe helplessness. Meanwhile, individuals who have been properly diagnosed with disabilities struggle to maintain respect and acceptance every day. In plain language, there is a lot of misunderstanding between people with disabilities and those without. It is firstly important to get everyone on the same page regarding the definition of disability.

Imagine this, a family of four is trying to survive the night. They are lying on the ground in bitter temperatures with only a cardboard box and a blanket to shield themselves from the harsh nights that they are forced to endure. Men, women, and children wait for morning when the doors of the food shelter will finally open, providing many with their meal of the day. This is the setting for hundreds of families in the Phoenix area. It can happen to anyone, anytime. Sometimes it’s a result of circumstances beyond our control- job loss, eviction, domestic violence, mental illness, medical bills. Homelessness is a growing problem and I have a proposition to stop it. We must give homeless people permanent housing with no strings attached.

Attitudes toward the mentally ill started to change in the 60’s and 70’s from both the communities and professionals. The two began to recognize that the mentally ill had rights to live an independent life style like that of ordinary citizens. Before this, people with mental illness or developing disabilities had been institutionalized, giving strong medications, sedated and isolated from the rest of society. Living amongst the community, they receive their medication as well as interact with the general public. In addition, they also interact with security personnel and law enforcement officers, and all too frequently with unfortunate consequences. (Russell, 2012).

People who suffer from the difficulties of having a disability as well as being discriminated against may have complications managing. In daily life, individuals seek the approval, acceptance, and companionship of their peers; those with disabilities are no different in what they seek. Therefore, being out casted can have very disturbing conclusions. A woman and her daughter experienced severe brutality because of the daughter’s mental disabilities. In order to escape the cruelty the woman killed both her daughter and herself (Williams, Rachel). As if it isn’t wretched enough, others with disabilities also feel the discrimination against them, more so than other groups of society. In addition to discriminating, people do it

Christ house is an organization that empowers, heals spiritually, physically, and mentally, and providing clients with medical assistance in areas of their lives that needs stabilizing. Their demographics target the Washington, DC area, and clients are adult males who are predominately African–Americans. Their main goal is to provide health care to those who are sick and homeless, and addressing issues in order to break the cycle of homelessness. They also provide help with building resumes for those who wish to enter into the work force. This is one of their many ways of building and promoting community, and finding ways to eradicate negative behaviors that involve things such as the use of illicit drugs and involvement with the criminal justice

There are multiple organizations that offer help to the homeless, or give them the necessary materials to their survival. Food Banks, Soup Kitchens and Homeless Shelters give similar opportunities to the displaced. They tend to the individuals that are less fortunate in the community. There are rules that come along with attending to these places, for example, you have to be clean and not use substances and you are not allowed to carry any weapons of any sort. Although these places offer food and homes they don’t offer medical care. Well, luckily there is an organization that does offer medical care and incorporates faith within their work. This organization named Christ House, offers many opportunities to become a new, also to turn your life

Ableism and Disability oppression is a concept that is often ignored and underrepresented in social justice issues. The concept of ableism is the idea that society is disadvantageous towards people with disabilities and mental illnesses. When analyzing institutional, societal, and cultural structures through the view of ableism and disability oppression, one can concur that exclusionary practices allow for the despotism of people with disabilities and mental issues. Furthermore, the underlying issues of the institutional ableism allow for the perpetuation of mental illness and disability stigmas. For instance, in the reading Ableism it states, “The medicalization of disability fostered the belief that people with disabilities needed to be monitored

In America, we all try to ignore the biggest problem in our country, which is

If I was instead of Scott, I will do exactly the same, because Scott helps a lot of homeless people who are struggling on the streets without family or place to sleep. In addition, I will try to make lectures to shed the light on how important we should help homeless people. Helping homeless people will give them the hope to work again and develop this country. Moreover, some homeless people just need to fall back on someone, so they can work again. However, I will encourage homeless people to work after finding an apartment for them, so they can change their life to better situation. Being like Scott would be easy if we just stand and feel on homeless people

The alternative solutions to homelessness is Marriage Education, Further life Education, and also providing more homeless shelters. The solution Marriage Education will help decide whether they want to be married or not. This is a very good benefit for underage graduates, it will help them understand more about marriage in the future. They can gain more knowledge and use what they had learned when it comes to making reasonable decisions. The only bad thing is that even if they aren’t thinking about marriage, they just want to stay independent, they will still have to take the class because it’s required.

I took “ Home for the homeless” article from Fox News. Vijay Krishna editor of this article. In this he shares his view about homeless people and how they survive their lives. He shared that in India place called Bawana that build homes for homeless peoples and for slum who live nearby railway. Robin Raina Foundation lead in this program they already built houses for more than 6,000 people and they also provide free educations, labor and medical to these poor homeless people and they still are planning for more construction for schools, hospital and shelters. This program is only for homeless people, and for old citizens that provide them relief in their life and Delhi also participate in this program by donating money and land for building

Throughout the year, there seems to be more and more homeless people everywhere we go. There are many opportunities to help the people in need weather it be by giving them food, clothes or a place to stay. However, sometimes it could be dangerous to help those in need. Some obstacles that get in the way of helping is expenses.

My name is Shantice Clinton, I am a student at MATC and I am writing you to get more information on how to help the people in need with educational benefits. What type of programs are you using for the disadvantages in unapproved areas? I know that we have the HEP “homeless education program” but as a community what can we do to help others? I also was wondering what type of resources you would provide. I havr also did research on the policies the government have on hunger.