...Advocating for the Homeless Kathi Chambliss May 14, 2012 BSHS/442 Anita Payne The population I choose was the homeless. I have a lot of compassion for the homeless because of how people perceive them as being lazy, drug addicts, or alcoholics. Because of the economic state of the nation today there is a significant rise in middle class homelessness. (Caldwell, 2012). Even though a large portion of the homeless suffer from psychological issues, lack of food, no job training making most of the homeless unemployable, no housing, no medical care, and have criminal backgrounds, they are still considered human beings, should be offered rehabilitation programs, and easier ways to obtain medications for psychological issues. A large percentage of the homeless suffer from psychological problems. Another problem is in most cities the center that treats indigent psychological problems is usually located in the downtown sections and the homeless cannot get transportation to and from the centers. This makes it hard to get treated for the psychological problems and this causes the person to be unemployable. The homeless need an interested party to negotiate in his or her behalf on matters of conflict or legal matters. Since there are so many areas that the homeless need help dealing with it takes a person who knows the system, where the resources are, and how to use them to advocate in their behalf. Another alarming issue concerning this population is more than 40% of the current...
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...country today, there are thousands of people who are homeless. A homeless person is someone who doesn’t have a permanent home to live; this also means a person who is sleeping in a relative’s sofa or floor. Illness, violence, addictions, poor nutrition, and unemployment are some of the problems that come alone with homelessness. “The most proximate cause of homelessness in America is poverty” (St. Martin’s Hospitality Center, 2013). In this paper, I will briefly touch on issues of advocacy in human services. I will also examine and briefly discuss the homeless population; including my perspective on my ability to assist with the issues that the homeless face such as shelter, food, clothing, transportation, and job training as an advocate. Since the population of homelessness is on the rise, new programs have been formulated by experts in order to aid the homeless and try to prevent the homeless population from increasing. “Advocacy refers to influencing decisions that affect the welfare or interests of another individual or group” (Barsky, A.E, 2000). Helping clients set goals, educating them of the resources they have available, helping them find the available resources, and working towards changes in policies that limit their abilities would be a way of me advocating for the homeless. Empowering clients to change their situation is an important way for me to advocate. One of the best ways that I could advocate for the homeless would consist of me empowering them to put for effort...
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...specifically is the homeless people. Homeless people need assistance with food, clothing, shelter, job training, and transportation needs, specially homeless people are in need of someone to speak for them, or to lead them to the correct path way. Homeless People & Problems Today there are between one thousand four hundred homeless in the El Paso TX, imagine what the population is in the whole entire United States. It is said that: "The most proximate cause of homelessness in America is poverty" (University of Richmond, 2003), not only poverty but employment better yet to blame the economy. The definition of being homeless means that a person does not have a permanent place to live or stay. No only being homeless is a problem also being poor in nutrition, unemployment, illnesses, drug addictions, and violence. Homelessness is growing tremendously each year and studies have showed that new programs and aid must be given to homeless people; to find a way to maintain it and or to preventing it from growing. Meeting those challenges how to help a homeless person. Being an advocate myself, working with the State, Health and Human Services Commission, I have directed homeless people on how they can be eligible to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition program, and the basic needs to be eligible. Empowering the client or homeless person to change their situation for their own benefits, leading them to the correct program or facility where they can get help, helping the homeless people by taking...
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...discuss the homeless population. I add a personal perspective on how I can assist with the problems that the homeless face such as shelter, food, clothing, transportation, and job training as an advocate. The most proximate cause of homelessness in America is poverty (University of Richmond, 2003). In the United States today there is approximately between five to six thousand people who are homeless. A person who is homeless is a person who does not have a permanent place to live; this also means a person who is sleeping in a relative’s sofa or floor (McKinney-Vento). Illness, violence, addictions, poor nutrition, and unemployment are some of the problems that come alone with homelessness. Since the population of homelessness is on the rise, new programs have been formulated by experts in order to aid the homeless and try to prevent the homeless population from increasing. Advocacy refers to influencing decisions that affect the welfare or interests of another individual or group (Barsky, 2000, pg. 219). Helping clients set goals, educating them of the resource they have available, helping them locate the available resources, and working towards changes in policies that limit their abilities would be a way of my advocating for the homelessness. Empowering clients to change their situation is an important way for me to advocate. I feel that one of the best ways that I would be able to advocate for the homeless would be by...
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...Roughly five years ago, this particular learner had the excellent opportunity to complete a three-month internship at Calvary Refuge Center. Calvary Refuge Center serves the diverse population of Clayton County Georgia with the goal of transition and rehabilitation. They focus on taking people off the street and counseling them through career, housing and emotional areas of their lives. Calvary prides itself on the intervention of the homeless situation that is so common in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. Although the Center gets its funding from government and private grants, the mostly rely on the generosity of others and volunteers/interns. Overall Calvary Refuge Center advocates for those who don’t have much of a voice in the homeless community. Description of the organization. Calvary Refuge Center is a non-profit organization and, in its simplest form, a homeless shelter. Calvary Refuge Center began as an informal service to Clayton County residents who had no place to go providing food and overnight shelter at Calvary Baptist Church in Clayton County in 1985. The organization eventually moved to its current location 4265...
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...definition of homeless. ¨Homelessness is the condition of people without a permanent dwelling¨(Hidden). Most homeless people have to sleep on the streets and under bridges. They usually carry around all of their belongings. Atlanta Missions is an organization that can help end homelessness and there are many ways a person can help out. Homelessness happens because an individual or a family can no longer afford housing. Imagine sleeping in abandoned buildings and under bridges, separated from your family. In the article ¨The Hidden Homeless: what you are seeing in the statistics¨ it stated, ¨More than half a million people currently meet the definition of homeless in our country, and of those-7,000 live in Atlanta¨ (Hidden). This quote shows how many people are struggling in Atlanta and probably need help. Homelessness is a growing issue that needs to end. Atlanta Missions is an organization that can help end homelessness. They have 5 homeless shelters throughout Atlanta. One of the best things the organization does is feed and house the homeless. In the article “The Hidden Homeless: what you are seeing in the statistics¨’ it stated, ¨Together we can clothe, feed, and house America´s hidden homeless¨”(Hidden). They also have 5ks that raise money, it is one of the biggest 5ks in...
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...like to see more advocacies work done for. There are many causes in which are in need of more advocacy work, many of these causes this writer agrees with such as the cause of the “Elderly”, the “Homeless” and the “Veterans” are all worthy causes. However this writer’s passion is for the “youth be it that they are troubles and or abused, and disability. However this paper will address the concern of the assigned advocacy in the human services area and examine the explicit population who has particular needs; and the author of this paper will be examining population of the homeless. As an advocate the author will assist with issues that this particular group client’s face on a daily bases things like: food, raiment, shelter, medical training, and transportation. Specific Population: Homeless "The most immediate cause of homelessness in America is deficiency in income better known as “poverty " (University of Richmond, 2003). It is reported that there are somewhere between 5000-6000 people that are believed to be homeless in the United States; that is that a person does not have a undeviating place to live. Homelessness is a problem that brings along other issues like unemployment, poor nutrition, illnesses, violence and drug addictions. Experts are predicting that the number of homeless people will continue to rise if addition aid and innovative programs aren’t developed. Assisting the Client "Advocacy refers to influencing decisions that affect the welfare or interests of...
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...Advocacy for the Homeless Amy Albertus August 17, 2011 BSHS 441 Barbra Czinger Advocacy for the Homeless What is advocacy? The classic definition from Webster’s Dictionary is simply “active support; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something “(Webster’s Dictionary, 2011). To make this definition more specific to advocacy in the Human Services field just a few details need to be added. A more specific, to this field, definition of advocacy would be: to help a particular population by assisting or speaking for them to obtain the services that they need. The number of homeless people in America is alarming. There is an extremely high need for advocacy for the homeless population. “It's estimated that approximately 3.5 million people in the United States, 1.35 million of them children (nearly 40%), are likely to experience homelessness this year” (Murphy, 2009). About 23% of the homeless population is veterans. The first thing an advocate would need to do is to educate themselves on the issues and facts of the population. They need to know things like how and why people have become homeless to get a better understanding. It is also a good idea to spend some firsthand time with the population, maybe in shelters or soup kitchens. They need to also talk with other advocates and service providers for the homeless to understand the needs and what has worked in the past. This is to get advice from others who have helped before you so that you have a better sense of...
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...improving the quality of life of homeless teens and their families and the ethical obligation of earning the community’s trust. Royalty House is a non-profit organization that is staffed and governed by an experienced, professional, diverse group of volunteers whose target population are homeless youth ranging in age between twelve and eighteen; with the exception of some clients which continue in the program until the age of twenty-one. The exception is made either when particular clients require further mentoring to provide them with the skills required by law to live independently and also for the aging out of foster care population. The services Royalty House provides to the homeless youth population are 24 hour emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential substance abuse treatment for clients and their families, parenting classes, shelter for teen parents and their children, anger management classes, educational programs to obtain a GED, workshops to learn a trade, classes to earn a degree, basic behavioral health services, and referral services for assistance not provided by this organization. Services and referrals are extended to those in the community who call in for help. Royalty House Mission Statement: To improve the quality of life of homeless teens and their families by providing services, community education and involvement, advocating the needs and rights of the homeless teen population and coalescing with other advocating...
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...Seeing homeless people on the street makes ask myself, “What if I was in their shoes? What if I am the one sitting in that corner holding the sign Will work for food”? Though I may appear tough on the outside, I am very weak when it comes to poverty and homelessness. Maybe because I grew up poor and I am somewhat able to relate the struggles of not having any money to meet daily needs. Homelessness is a global issue. Many people from many different countries face the same tribulation. While it’s common, homelessness continues to exist and solutions have not completely solved the problem. I came to this class very hesitant, nervous, and didn’t really know what to expect. However, all that changed. I’ve been a volunteer in a couple of organizations and met many homeless people in my life but I never thought I would have the chance to really dig deep in the issue of homelessness. This class allowed me to not only see the surface of the problem of homelessness in the U.S. but also study the root cause, find and discuss solutions. By talking in groups and formulating ideas and solutions, I learned to open up and widen my perspective. Sometimes, solutions tend to work better when you are looking at things from a different...
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...Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons Margaret A. Stewart BSHS 302 July 18, 2011 Karen Miner Abstract Most Americans have heard the term hobo, which is defined as a vagrant or transient among other definitions. The term is well known because a large number of Americans have been named such who lived on the streets, or “skid rows” of this country. Homeless individuals have existed throughout history; however, more recently, a larger number and many categories of homeless individuals occur. In this paper the subject to examine is the history of homeless persons in America, the nature of the social problems and issues experienced by the homeless, demography of the homeless, common clinical issues and intervention strategies, and a discussion of future interventions. Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons Homelessness has been a phenomenon in America beginning in the late 1700s according to author Kenneth Kusmer. “Kusmer begins with an examination of homelessness from the late seventeenth century through the early nineteenth century. Although the number of homeless fluctuated somewhat in this period (rising in the late eighteenth century and in the 1820s), concern about the homeless was not widespread. The homeless were also largely an urban phenomenon; rural residents rarely encountered homeless persons. The Civil War introduced soldiers to railroad travel and to foraging, and after the war, some veterans continued...
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...unbalanced by low wages. The lack of competitive pay poses strain on citizens who face an increase in the cost of living. Cost of living increases make it harder for citizens to afford the cost of rent, mortgage, utilities and other basic needs. Without a means to afford all the essentials in life, many Asheville citizens find it too difficult to get by and may end up homeless. In another interview in the Mountain Xpress published this past August, Heather Dilashaw, the program director for the Homeless Initiative Coalition in Asheville stated, “It does seem to be tied to continued depressed economic opportunity, with rents in the Asheville area [continuing] to be above fair-market value [and] difficult to attain. “Ten years ago, a younger adult who didn't have other family support or resources could get a job, even if it was a fairly low-wage job, and still figure out how to make housing work. That's becoming more and more difficult to do,” (Forbes, 2013). There are many reasons one could fall victim to homelessness; job loss, addiction, and/or mental illness, among others. According to the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Initiative (ABHI), the population of homelessness has seen a steady increase, with the 18- to...
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...Over the years there have been many programs that have been focused on making a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need. One program in particular that serves the needs of runaways, who end up homeless, is the Family of Woodstock, Inc. The Family of Woodstock Inc. provides services to adolescents and young adults who are escaping the confines of the world they are living in such as; domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual assault, and some who couldn’t be taken care of by their family. The Family of Woodstock, Inc. is not only a gateway for adolescents and young adults, it’s an organization that helps provide the materials for individuals in need to find their own strengths and self-sufficiency. As an interviewee, learning the history of this organization and what it stands for, I would love to work for this company. I believe with my passion to help others, especially the young people of our country, I would be an excellent candidate to work with the Family of Woodstock Inc. who recognize that between dream and reality stands obstacles and challenges that have to be overcome. The Family of Woodstock Inc. was created after the Woodstock Festival in 1969. The festival attracted teens and young adults from all over the country to experience the three day concert that was filled with drugs, sex, and music. Once the festival was over, many of the “concert-goers” were still seen around the town living in tents, sleeping...
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...BSHS/305 Deeneice Goodson Client Paper In today society there are many osbastels and problems that affected the clients in human services environment which continue to grow daily, because of the lack of funding, advocating, resources and education. There also issues/problems in the human services world that effected clients because of culture stigma, homelessness, poverty and the fear of asking for help which effects thousands of immigrants in the United States today. One of main issues that cause issues/problems in the human services environment is individuals living in denial of needing help or not knowing how to find help or being concern about being judge by others. There are various individuals/people who are affected by the human services who are lost in a world of not understanding how to seek assistance or help. The elderly is a population of people who may have difficulties living alone, and mayn’t have financial resources to afford the cost for a nursing home or residential ca4e facilities. The homeless populations also face their difficulties of be homeless and not being able to get their basic needs being meet, not being able find affordable housing, no income, no job skills and a lack of education. Some homeless clients might need help finding treatment to address their under lying cause of homelessness. The immigrant clients are dealing with getting help to adjusting their life’s in a new country. They encounter issues/problems with finding...
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...(Ferrell & Hirt, 2009, p.352) The founder has strong feelings and beliefs about his business venture and spends his time testing the quality of his products and advocating for the environmental preservation movement. Most of the people who work for Patagonia have the same enthusiasm. Since the business is located near the beach, in the beginning management would temporarily suspend business operations and allow the employees to go surfing. Nowadays it is anticipated of the employers to use their lunch time to engage in the activities associated with the company’s motto. With this convenience the employees are allowed to choose the hours for starting and leaving work each day, because the owners believe in every employee to make up their work time. The corporate social responsibility recognizes and values family. Benefits offered to the working parents is child care which is conveniently located at their...
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