Alex+S+&+Carlin+M

= = =Homelessness/Housing issues =

** What? ** // Literal // // homelessness // is lacking permanent housing of one's own. It is a condition that has been present throughout human history. It has always been dangerous as well, given the necessity of shelter for survival.

** Who? ** __Homeless families fall into three general types:__
 * Degrees of homelessness . **
 * permanent wanderers, such as gypsies and carnival performers
 * wanderers with a fixed base, especially migratory farm workers
 * refugees, for whom homelessness is an accident and not a way of life.

__ Homelessness in the United States __:
 * ====** 30 percent of the homeless population is families with children **====
 * ==== 51 percent are single men  ====
 * ==== 17 percent are single women  ====
 * ==== 2 percent are unaccompanied minors  ====
 * ==== 71 percent of homeless families are headed by a single parent  ====
 * ==== 13 percent are employed  ====
 * ==== 9 percent are veterans  ====
 * 26 percent have drug and alcohol addictions
 * 16 percent suffer from mental illness
 * 37 percent of adults requesting emergency food assistance are employed
 * People remain homeless an average of 8 months
 * Requests for assisted housing by low-income families and individuals increased by 86 percent in 1 year

** Why? ** **__ Some of the main causes of homelessness are: __**
 * low-paying job
 * unemployment
 * lack of needed services
 * domestic violence
 * drug and alcohol addiction
 * insufficient education
 * poverty
 * family breakup
 * physical and mental illness
 * catastrophic illness disasters (i.e. fires/storms)
 * death of a family member

** Catholic Social Teaching **  //Catholic Social Teaching encourages us to put emphasis on the homeless. Option for the poor means you put those who are less fortunate before you, and that is exactly what the following quotes from Catholic Social Teaching say.//

"A consistent theme of Catholic social teaching is the option or love of preference for the poor. Today, this preference has to be expressed in worldwide dimensions, embracing the immense numbers of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care, and those without hope." -On Social Concern

 "In teaching us charity, the Gospel instructs us in the preferential respect due to the poor and the special situation they have in society: the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others." - A Call To Action "Love for others, and especially for the poor, is made concrete by promoting justice." -Hundredth Year

** An Expert's Opinion: ** For our interview, we interviewed Benjamin Ogden, who is in charge of the "Open Door " process at the Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit, MI. Every Thursday the church opens their doors to serve a hearty meal to over 400 people who are homeless or cannot afford food. Each person leaves with sandwiches for later in the day. During the last year, 21,000 meals were served to homeless and poor people. In addition, clothing, showers, medical services, and haircuts are available. A social worker provides counseling for assistance benefits. Job postings are made available in the local area. We asked Mr. Ogden about what he has witnessed and experienced with the time he has volunteered with Open Door. Here is a summary of what he had to say:
 * Every homeless person has a different story to share. They have all gone through so much in their life. Many people assume that drugs or alcohol are the reasons many homeless people have gotten to this point. While this is sadly true for many of the people, that is not the sole reason. With Michigan's economy in the situation it is in, this is not helping the people that were already struggling. Many of the people we serve food to have had their homes forclosed. Many were born into a poor family. You can not be too quick to judge the homeless. They are people just like everybody else, they just are not as blessed with roofs over our heads like we are.

** Organizations That Help With the Homeless: **

 [|The National Coalition for the Homeless] is a nonprofit organization is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to a single mission. That mission is to end homelessness. They are committed to creating the systemic and attitudinal changes necessary to prevent and end homelessness.

[|The Covenant House in Michigan] is a sanctuary for young people who have nowhere to go. Kids who come to our doors have been abused and neglected, have slept on friends' couches or in abandoned buildings. These kids have been forgotten by those who are supposed to care about them the most. Their staff, volunteers and donors carry out their mission based on faith and the belief that all of God's children deserve unconditional love, respect and hope. You can help by donating on their website!

** What can you do to help? **

You can help by volunteering for a day at your local homeless shelter! Here are some organizations that you could get involved with near you :)

[|Peanut Butter and Jelly Outreach] is a program where you can go down and pass out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the homeless and also pass out clothing.

[|The N.O.A.H Project] is a program where you can go down and pass out bagged lunches to the homeless and hungry. This is the project that the guest speakers spoke to us about. It is very easy to get involved with!