Putting a Face on Homelessness

Putting a Face on Homelessness

Homelessness in America is not merely an issue of vital importance. It has escalated to the point of being a potential epidemic and is a problem that needs to be addressed on every level. According to the 1996 National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients, there are anywhere from 1.58 million to 3.49 million homeless individuals in the United States, annually. Yet, in order to serve these people fully and in accordance to their needs, we must first perceive and treat them as individuals.

Bring to mind a stereotypical image of a homeless person. What do we see portrayed in media, on television, and from generation to generation? What we usually see is a dirty, unkempt, stinking alcoholic, either living in a cardboard box or hanging out on a street corner spare changing for booze money. Yet, in reality, the homeless come from all walks of life. There are those residing in shelters who have substance abuse problems, yes, but actually they represent the minority. What we also see in shelters and missions today are single mothers with children, persons with college degrees, families, and even teenagers in need of both immediate and long-term assistance. In fact, because of the present financial crunch affecting the middle class of America today, it has been stated that perhaps as many as half of all families living from week to week are only one paycheck away from being homeless.