Visiting a Homeless Shelter Essay

The homeless are the epitome of vulnerable. Alone, defenseless, and exposed. A person being alone and on the streets can begin to develop mental issues. They have no friends/family to talk to and confide in. A person who is already weak from the homeless lifestyle can be attacked by anyone; other homeless people fighting for their life or the unjust people of this world. This could leave them injured without aid. The world can be a harsh place, and being exposed to the weather can be the worst factor. The summers can be boiling hot and the winters cold as

This research project studied the broad subject of homelessness from a distinctive perspective. Homeless individuals have different needs, and different human services organizations offer many homeless service programs to individuals, from temporary shelter to transitional housing, and training and health programs among others. Nonetheless, the most important service needed for homeless individuals should be the one that leads to permanent housing solutions. However, findings from this research study suggested that not all homeless service programs are as effective in alleviating homelessness in the community, as most have been led to believe in the past. Therefore, the required question had to be, how effective are homeless service programs in alleviating homelessness in the City of Springfield MA? Finding an answer to that question was the primary reason for this research. This research study sought to know more about the effectiveness of two distinctive service programs, which although similar in services offered, both operate with completely different funding and visions on how to solve the

Always, I was told from parents and elders that anyone can achieve their dreams through arduous work and dedication. Surprisingly, I hadn’t pondered this until I observed a shivering homeless person standing at the corner asking for help on one snowy, frosty winter day. This affected my life greatly. On the way, I just started thinking about the life of homeless people and how they are not fortunate enough to get their own place to live, their choice of delicious food to eat and several other amenities that we all enjoy in our everyday lives. An incident, like this, sparked an enthusiastic sense of compassion and empathy in me. Along with my family, I started thinking deeply and my thoughts to help the homeless expanded to other areas and I wanted to start helping the community around me as much as possible.

I see myself, and want others to see me, as a compassionate individual. During high school, I tutored incoming freshmen in history and biology. I was once in their shoes, so I knew how important it was to have someone to help me out with what I was struggling with. In my junior and senior years of high school, I volunteered with the Bloodcenter of Wisconsin and the Red Cross, assisting donors when they felt uncomfortable, and donating blood myself. I also knitted scarves for the homeless with my church. Doing things for others comforts me because I know it makes them breathe a little easier. When I was a senior in high school, I talked a close friend out of committing suicide. I have never been homeless, but I have been a struggling

Going on the end of the year service trip to Denver really opened my eyes to how many people are affected by homelessness. Homelessness can have many causes and can happen to anyone. In our societal system today once someone has reached poverty and become homeless it is very hard to recover from this cycle of poverty.

Homelessness exists as a prominent issue that plagues society in various ways. It brings about hardship and controversy as individuals struggle to survive on a daily basis. Additionally, this complication tears families apart and ostracizes individuals from a society where they once belonged. A specific problem regarding homelessness consists of lack of interest from bystanders; some of these spectators refuse to even acknowledge homeless individuals sitting at their feet. As homeless people live their lives on street-corners, the more fortunate members of society choose to engulf themselves in their personal problems alone. Displayed by their clothing and accessories, most of these individuals possess the ability to help in some way;

Think back last week; how many homeless people did you come across? When you see these people, what comes to mind? Sympathy? Compassion? Or do you judge them right away? Most people are in this position not because they chose to, but because of a situation that happened in their life that put them there.

I remember living in the city of Atlanta and seeing homeless people on the street. I was often told not to give them money because they would just spend it on drugs. I could give them food, but not let them get close to you or they will snatch your purse. For years I followed this advice until one day I decided to work for the Golden Harvest in Augusta, Georgia.

Although people tend to pass homeless people on street corners every day without batting an eye, it must be realized that the homeless are our neighbors and deserve someone who will show them compassion to ease the suffering they face on a daily basis. It seems as though we have become desensitized to what it really means to be homeless. Although it is common to see multiple homeless people in Denver on any given day, the general public doesn’t often think about what it would feel like to be cold and hungry, with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Many

Before I read “A Brother Lost” by Ashley Womble I viewed homeless people as greedy and lazy. I believe I only saw one real homeless person and to turn out he was a sex offender and all you seen was people giving him free food and giving him money, only if they knew… I didn’t know who to believe, if I should help anyone out. Actually one time I gave this guy $10 because I believed he needed more than me but to turn out as soon as I walked into Wawa everyone was like why’d you give him money? He’s using it for drugs, he just lies to make people feel bad for him. I also viewed so called homeless people lazy. Go help yourself, everyone has tough times push through it apply for jobs, don’t feel bad for yourself, provide for yourself. After reading

When you first hear the word homelessness what are your feelings or thoughts? Are they positive or negative? When some people hear that word they instantly feel pity or sadness. Some people even feel fear, shame, and disgust. What are the right feelings to have towards someone who is homeless? Are there any right or wrong feeling or thoughts to have? “Around the world, homeless people are referred to in derogatory terms – vermin, cockroaches, pigeons – things to be exterminated”(2). “They are seen as dirty, lacking morals, and burdens on society”(2). “The current outbreak of homelessness has been a major social issue for well over three decades” (Burt et al, 2001; Donley & Wright, 2008;

Many homeless people periodically starve with no shelter or clothing to keep them warm. Ranging from elderly, middle aged, and young aged. While fortunate families have everything they need to survive. As human beings we can not control our future. As individuals with our own problems to solve, we should extend our hand and give those in need resources to attain their needs. We should not just walk past a homeless person and give them a hostile attitude because they are less than us. Most of the times this is what most people do when they run into a

My participation in Project Homeless Connect was a learning experience. Before my participation, I had assumed homelessness meant as living on the streets or in shelters without basic needs like food and clothing. These assumptions changed when I volunteered at PHC here in Rochester. There is a stigma of mental illness and drug use associated with homelessness and I have been guilty of looking the other way because I thought the same. What I realized that day is I had more in common with the people I encountered than I thought. I was familiar with many of the services offered that day. I personally know how hard it is to get those basic needs met and could have easily been in the same situation myself. I know what a difference having your basic needs met can do for you as an individual; I know how it feels to need and not have anywhere to turn.

Homelessness is an epidemic that affects millions of people all over the world. These people have no place to live, are rarely able to bathe, and they have little to no food to eat. There are many reasons why people become homeless, but they can be broken down into three categories; Structural factors, systematic failures, and individual and relational factors.

The homeless stand down was an eye-opener experience for me. I had the opportunity to interact with several individuals, and one family. Initially I conducted some interviews with them to help complete the questionnaire; and the remainder of the time, I escorted the individuals and helped them choose items that were necessary for them. As I talked to each of them, I realized that the present state of these individuals were a product of the current economic situations. According to the National Homeless Coalition (2009), work factors are one of the many reasons why individuals are homeless. One of the individuals that I spoke to informed me that he was working a regular nine to five job at a construction site, but now due to the