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Researched by Darian B. |
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Dedication
I
would like to dedicate my project to my interviewee, Dave Hanson,
because he was part of the reason I got all of my community service
done (he found little jobs around the Vineyard Christian Fellowship
shelter for me,) and he is a wonderful person and a great help to those
in need.
Why I Chose This Topic
There are several reasons I
decided to take this opportunity to study all about homelessness and
homeless shelters. One reason is that I thought it would be a great way
to help those in need, because for me personally, I think that
homelessness is probably one of the worst things that could happen to a
person. Another reason is that my church (Vineyard Christian
Fellowship) has a homeless shelter and I thought that it would be a
great place to do my community service.
Introduction
According
to nationalhomeless.org, 193,183 people used transitional housing or
emergency shelters in 2008. Although the true number of homeless people
is unknown, in 2005 and estimated 38,231,521 people were poor (not
homeless) in the United States. Homelessness is where a person doesn’t
have a place to live. Homelessness is all around the world and all ages
of people are homeless.
Why are People Homeless?
There are
many causes of homelessness. Some experts believe the main reason is
unaffordable housing, but some other major reasons are substance abuse
or alcoholism, and the loss of jobs. Some people choose to be
homeless. Some other reasons people are homeless are because of being
mentally ill or having medical problems. Also, some people have
nowhere to go when they’re let out of jail, have a family break up, or
are a domestic violence victim.
Homeless Children
Being homeless
affects children in myriad ways. For a lot of homeless children,
homelessness starts as a baby living without diapers, clothes, sleep,
and even attention. Many homeless children are in foster care or live
with friends or family. Homeless toddlers can’t be potty-trained
because they have no toilet. Some homeless preschoolers even sleep with
their shoes on, in fear of them getting stolen. Homeless children are
usually very quiet and serious, and try to be invisible in school due
to embarrassment.
Yakima’s Homeless Children
A 2005 Yakima Valley
survey of the homeless showed that there were about 1,190 homeless in
the valley, but it is estimated that there is more. The survey provided
detailed data about Yakima’s homeless, but the information that popped
out the most was how there were about 350 homeless children. For
children under the age of five, there were 132. For children between
the ages of six and twelve, there were 109, and for children between 13
and 17 there were 114.
Homeless People’s Money
You may think that
because homeless people are homeless, they don’t have any money, but
that is not always true. Homeless people can get up to $337 a month
from the state. Also, many homeless have jobs, but still can’t make
enough money to support themselves. Another way for homeless to get
money is by collecting pop or beer cans to take to recycling
centers.
You’ve probably seen homeless people standing
outside of a store with a sign reading something like, “Will work for
food,” but they are usually just looking for a handout. Handouts are
money. If someone sees a homeless person sitting there with a sign,
they are more likely to pay him or her than find them a job. In one
day, a homeless person can get more money with handouts than they would
working minimum wage for eight hours.
Homeless Shelters
Homeless
shelters are places where the homeless can go (for free) to sleep,
bathe, eat, etc. People will line up for a room or bed in a shelter
hours before the shelter opens. In some shelters there is mesh wire
around the beds that are in open rooms giving everyone their own
personal space. Many shelters also have rules that the guests have to
follow. Some rules are: no one under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
all residents are in doors by 9:00 p.m., and residents sometimes have
to help with shelter chores.
Day Shelters
Day shelters are
homeless shelters open during the day. Day shelters usually have
showers and clean clothes for those who stay at them. Many day shelters
will even have computers and phones out for use. Programs for
drug-addicts and the mentally ill will be at a day shelter too.
Shelter Other than at Shelters
Homeless
people can find places other than shelters to stay. One way for someone
who’s homeless to find shelter during the day is by keeping up his or
her looks. If they look like someone who isn’t homeless than they can
spend their day riding subways or wandering a store because the
employees will think they’re customers. Some homeless people even go to
detoxification places so they can have a room, bed, and food, but will
usually continue drinking when they get out. Homeless people will
sometimes commit crimes in front of police so they will be put into
jail, where it’s warm and there’s food.
Why won’t some Homeless People go to Shelters?
One
reason people won’t stay at shelters is because they don’t feel safe in
them; there are thieves and residents who abuse others. Another
reason people don’t want to go to shelters is because if they are with
their family, they are worried that if they go to a shelter, the
authorities will find out about their situation and their family will
be split up. Some homeless believe that shelter workers think
they’re “higher” than the homeless. If a homeless person becomes
ill, they usually can’t heal very easily, so because of fear of getting
sick, some people will not go to a shelter. Finally, some people
won’t go to shelters because they don’t want to follow shelter rules.
Social Workers of the Homeless
Social
workers are a big part of helping the homeless. They have worked
with the homeless for about thirty years. The workers help create
outreaches, day shelters, employment programs, and transitional or
permanent housing for the homeless. They also try to help their
clients find jobs, medical care, drug treatments, and indoor
shelter. Social workers are currently trying to help shelters
meet specific needs of the homeless.
Conclusion
Many people are
homeless, and often misunderstood. Homelessness is a “disease”
that is all over the world and affects everyone. Homelessness won’t
just go away. We need to help make it stop.
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