I have been volunteering at YouthHope for about two months now on Thursdays. My main role is to supervise the computer lab and help anyone who may need help building a resume or job searching. However, yesterday was not like other Thursdays. I have been debating about posting on the blog and finally came to the conclusion that this is something people should be aware of. Hunger, homelessness, and poverty is a real issue that takes a lot of strength to overcome.

Our project consisted of chalking in various places around the University of Redlands campus in effort to promote public awareness around the issue of hunger and homelessness in America. The initial plan was to create a list of facts about poverty, hunger, and homelessness in America that would eventually be transcribed onto the concrete floors of the university for the public to read. Due to a similar interest in this type of project, we decided to split the project among some of our peers. The other group successfully got the project proposal approved, in order for the chalking to be possible. In the project proposal, the designated areas we desired to chalk were listed. Additionally, the list of facts we wished to chalk was reviewed.

The audience was not supposed to know who was behind writing these facts on the concrete. This was intended to minimize bias and conflict of interest. This activity was also not meant to come off as preaching. However, in the point in time when we decided to draw in front of the Hunsaker plaza, there was a rather large Greek life, recruiting event occurring simultaneously. As we chalked, individuals from the Geek life event were intrigued and wanted to know what we were chalking.

This activity was designed to be straight to the point and create the type of fear in individuals that makes them want to make change and get emotional about the reality of hunger, poverty, and homelessness. The point was not to change the hunger and homelessness, but to make our community aware that it is a major issue in our own city and country. We wanted people to read the chalk outside the commons and think about the people that do not have food, nonetheless a table. We wanted people to walk in their dorms they so often complain about and take for granted, and think about the people living in shelters. We wanted students to think about how privileged they are to be able to complain about the lack of air conditioning in their room that women, hired by the university, clean for them on a weekly basis.

According to the Huffington Post, a study reveals the number one cause of youth homelessness. Paula Braitstein is the researcher behind the study. Braitstein has affiliation with the University of Toronto and is based in Kenya. The data was collected from “49 studies with a total of 13,559 participants from 24 countries, including 21 developing countries. No one was older than 24.”

Of the data collected, poverty was reported to be the largest factor of homelessness. About thirty-nine percent of participants in the sample claimed poverty as their reasoning for being homeless. The runner up reason for homelessness was family conflict, at thirty-two percent. The third highest reasoning for homelessness was abuse, at twenty-six percent.

Now that a study has been conducted to highlight the factors associated with homelessness, the next step is setting forth solutions. While this study is useful in terms of numbers and statistics, it is not essential. Poverty, family conflict, and abuse are not surprising. When I first read the title of the article, I immediately thought I would be surprised by the “number one cause.” This post serves as a resource to those who may follow the Huffington Post and happen to come across this article. This article highlights the issue of youth homelessness briefly, but fails to offer a clear purpose or solution. The few solutions the post offers are underdeveloped. However, the article claims that because there are a lack of youth homelessness data reviews, this is its essential purpose.

Citation

Seaman, Andrew M. “Study Reveals No. 1 Cause Of Youth Homelessness.” Huffingtonpost.com. Huffington Post, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/study-reveals-no-1-cause-of-youth-homelessness_us_57057deee4b053766188a3a5>.

After interning at YouthHope Foundation for nearly two months, I understand the services the nonprofit strives to provide. Initially, I did not have specific expectations of what my experience at the organization would be like but I thought I had a general idea. I envisioned YouthHope have a greater sense of organization mostly. After having read books describing homeless shelters and organizations providing services, learning from my peers and professor, I expected to be reviewing paperwork and learning about policies through services. However, after “volunteering” week after week, I realized YouthHope resembled nothing we had discussed in class nor really learned about.

I was immediately put in charge of the computer lab. Here, I sit down for four hours hoping someone will walk in, needing any kind of assistance involving a computer. On a good day, about three people come in to use the computers while the rest socialize and play pool in the main room or smoke outside. Although not many people seek help in the computer lab, the few people that do, require an uninterrupted session. The main thing people seek assistance for in the computer lab, is building a resume and job searching. Each of these individuals needs focused attention.

Often, I am hesitant to offer my help. With little to no training, I felt out of place and under qualified to offer my limited knowledge. Managing the computer lab requires a lot of focus, knowledge, and commitment of the various roles available for volunteers to fulfill. If I fail to show on Thursdays from two until 4 in the afternoon, the computer lab will most likely remained closed or another volunteer will sit inside, only to supervise. As a temporary volunteer, I feel as though I am relied on more than I should be.

YouthHope is a great organization despite its flaws. In my limited experience, it is easy to see why Heidi’s kids appreciate her. I have had the opportunity to speak with individuals that have been with Heidi before YouthHope was established. Aside from the non-profit and services aspects of YouthHope, I have learned an incredible amount from the individuals that come regularly. There is an overall sense of community, love, and safety at YouthHope that cannot be taught.

I recently came across a film as I was browsing Netflix. The title sounded interesting and it was rated high on the list of movies that I, as a consumer, might like. Shelter is a film centered around two characters, Hannah and Tahir (Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie), two homeless individuals struggling to survive in New York. Tahir is a Nigerian immigrant, left with no choice but to wander the streets when his Visa expires. Hannah is a middle-aged, white woman fighting a heroine addiction. The two quickly become joint, and find they need each other to survive.

As the movie progresses and we learn more about the characters, their hidden pasts. One day, as  Tahir is making music with plastic buckets and drumsticks, are Hannah’s father comes searching for his daughter and asks Tahir if he has ever seen her. Tahir denies. Hannah’s father shows Tahir a photograph of Hannah’s son and confronts her that evening. We learn that Hannah is a widow and left her son motherless because of her addiction. Tahir is enraged because his wife was raped and killed as he and his son watched. Tahir’s son was also killed and claims he would do anything to be able to see him again and shames Hannah for choosing her addiction over her son.

This film gives us a closer look at the daily obstacles homeless people encounter. Throughout the film, Hannah repeatedly relapses until she starts attending AA meetings and is able to get Tahir and herself in a hotel. When Hannah and Tahir can no longer afford the room, they are forced return to the streets in the Winter.

There is a flaw in the system. Despite Hannah sobering up, finding housing, she and Tahir have too many odds against the.When Tahir becomes extremely ill, Hannah desperately sells her body for a place to stay and to purchase the prescribed medication for Tahir. In the case of Hannah and Tahir, there is no happy ending. This is often the case with the majority of those who are underprivileged in society.

NBC News does a story on homelessness through the story of Marvin Bolton, a 61-year-old homeless man in New York. In the article, “Marvin’s World: Nine Lessons From Homeless Man’s Winter in NYC” Marvin gives us his own survival guide.

1. There is a day things finally catch up with you

2. You never sleep soundly

3. People will feed and clothe you

4. Still, you need to be charming

5. You can make money from other people’s garbage

6. You can get stuck in one place, even when you don’t have one

7. You can be locked up without walls

8. There is only so much your family can do

9. Here’s what you hold on to, even without a bedroom:

-Pride, a sense of Propriety & Hope

For Marvin, homelessness is a result of a character flaw. Marvin believes that it all it all began with drugs. He believes that his continued addiction has made it more difficult for him to be relieved of his homelessness. Marvin blames himself, rather than the societal obstacles that have made homeless to many, inevitable. While Marvin’s personal blame can be perceived as somewhat respectable to many, it is also not completely accurate. Other factors such as being born into poverty, being abandoned by his father, and unaffordable housing amongst other things are also responsible for Marvin’s homelessness. Homelessness is not a personal issue, but a societal, economic, and political problem.

Jarrett, Tracy. “Marvin’s World: Nine Lessons From Homeless Man’s Winter in NYC.” NBC News. N.p., 20 Mar. 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/marvin-s-world-nine-lessons-homeless-man-s-winter-nyc-n537901>.

Sean Cononie is a known advocate for the homeless community. According to the article, Cononie was paid $4.8 million dollars by the city of Hollywood to not only relocate, but leave the city. The deal between Cononie and Hollywood consisted of the exchange of the homeless shelter, along with his other properties in the city for the money.

However, for Cononie, leaving the city not only means finding a new home for himself but a new home for his 112 “clients” whom consist of the homeless community. In 2015, Cononie purchased a former 125-room hotel in Polk County for $2.1 million, where he was able to house 112 clients who were formerly staying in a Hollywood homeless shelter.

However, the article reports that Cononie recently decided to sell the hotel building for $2.8 million dollars on Friday, the 11th. It is suspected that Cononie wants to return to Hollywood, despite not being allowed back.

This article highlights the relevant concern, in regard to a growing homeless population. Hollywood Commissioner, Linda Sherwood, voices her opinion on the matter: “We gave him the extra money in order for him to stay out of our city for 30 years. I would be very unhappy if his clients come back to Hollywood, whether it’s under a bridge or on the beach.”

Displacing the homeless community will worsen the issue at hand. However, Sherwood insists that eliminating resources, such as the ones previously being offered by Cononie, will alleviate the issue. Sherwood’s issue is not with homelessness but with the homeless community.

Citation:

“Paid $4.8 Million to Leave, Homeless Advocate Sean Cononie Ready to Return to South Florida.” Sun-Sentinel.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/hollywood/fl-cononie-coming-back-hollywood-20160314-story.html>.

The actual process of becoming a volunteer was most stressful. First, I was asked general questions about myself and about my interest in the foundation. They were eager to learn my intentions of volunteering my time. After filling out the 8 page document cautioning me of various possibilities, I understood the reasoning for trust issues in regard to volunteers. For many of the youth, having had personal experiences of loss, whether it be a relationship or a roof over their head, has made them vulnerable. For that reason, volunteers are encouraged to stay for a minimum of six months. While it is not currently a requirement for volunteers to make the half-year commitment, it is being looked into to be potentially implemented in the future.

I was also walked through a long list of “do’s” and “don’ts” for “[my] own safety.” Most of these guidelines were to ensure that the volunteer and the youth maintain a level of personal privacy. I am to refrain from answering questions about myself. This, I found to be one of the most difficult guidelines to follow. I am to always talk to the youth at eye-level. This means that if one of the youth comes to talk to me and they decide to sit down, I should also sit down. If they decide to stand up while they continue to talk to me, I am also to stand. This is a rule for the volunteers to prevent any possibility of a power struggle.

The final step to becoming an official volunteer required me get in contact with the police department. This particular organization requires the individual who wishes to volunteer to be fingerprinted and background checked. After leaving numerous voicemails, I was never returned a call about setting up an appointment for the screening. After a week and a half, I decided to physically go to the Redlands Police Department. I was told the screening would take several weeks to process, but happened to process the following day for a reason I am unaware of. This served as an true life example of how difficult becoming a volunteer can be which can explain the lack of help available at organizations.

On the first day, I had to manage the flow of high school students that would come looking to renew their bus passes while helping others create resumes with little to no experience. I assisted a young man create a resume. The young man was in his early twenties, fresh out of jail, illiterate, and in poverty. It was his first time at the organization, and it was my responsibility after we finished building his resume to do his intake.

In my time being at the organization, I have only heard the word homelessness once. That particular time was to explain that the youth that drop by either do not consider themselves to be homeless or don’t want others to know. Many of these children have cars, homes, are in school, etc. However, many lack the support that the organization offers. It is only a support system for these individuals.

On Sunday, February 21, a newborn was found dead inside an east Portland apartment complex in Oregon. According to OregonLive, the mother of the baby was homeless. David Hernandez reported that he had taken the woman in to his home to live with him and his boyfriend. The man claimed to have previously been homeless himself and wanted to help the pregnant woman.

Hernandez claims that he woke up early Sunday morning to have breakfast and discovered blood all over the hands and feet of the woman. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital in an ambulance. When the woman was gone, one of the two men was reported to have found a lifeless baby.

This article describes an example of a desperate woman who was forced to make the decision she made. For homeless mothers, this particular situation is one route that is taken by woman who fail to meet the social expectations of mothers. When a mother fails to provide for herself, it is unlikely that she will be able to provide for a child. Women’s ability to bear children complicates their situation when homeless. In society, every decision made by a homeless mother is frowned upon. Deciding to have an abortion can bring negative attitudes toward a person, while it can also relieve them of another life they are responsible of. Deciding to keep the child could mean not being to provide the appropriate support in rough conditions. Adopting may cause the child to face certain difficulties coping with the idea of lacking parents. A foster home could mean result in further abuse by other children or the foster parents.

For a homeless mothers, pregnancy means having to make difficult decisions. In this case, it is difficult to say what the mother’s intentions were. However, every situation is different and calls for difficult decisions due to certain circumstances that only the individual making them can rationalize.

Oregonian/OregonLive, Brad Schmidt | The. “Newborn Death: Witness Says Homeless Woman Was Pregnant.” OregonLive. N.p., 21 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.

<http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/02 newborn_death_witness_says_hom.html>.

How helpful is the help that is being offered?

This is the question that I tried to answer as I stood outside of a boba shop in San Bernardino County. A young man approached me, who will remain anonymous throughout this post. He asked me and everybody else going in and out of the establishment for financial help. The young man was hoping to accumulate enough money to be able to put himself up in a motel room for the night. However, I recall when I was being trained to volunteer, to refrain from giving money to the homeless. They suggested I point them in the right direction for them to be able to get the help they needed. This meant letting them know of certain shelters and organizations that have the potential to offer them help.

Stuck between giving him the money that I didn’t have and walking away, I offered that man a cigarette. He denied. He thought, “if people saw me standing out here with a cigarette in my mouth, they would think twice. They would wonder how I would spend it.”

Before I could ask him, he told about the fear he had about going to the nearest shelter not too far from where we were. Instead of feeling used by some of the people at the shelter for drugs, he was willing to spend $82 for one sheltered night in a motel.

This particular experience reveals the presence of flaws in the help that is being offered to those in need of help and are homeless. If individuals are being steered away from one of the only hands available to help due to fear, where do they have left to turn for help?