Suggestions for how to end Homelessness Part One

“So keep it real with me, how can we help to eradicate homelessness? Or at the very least help someone out of being homeless.”

This was a question sent to my In-box today. I did not want to respond in haste as I was busy multitasking for an event.

I thought that it would be a great topic to discuss here. My quick answer is that the needs of each person and family are very different.

The first part of the question that asks “How do we eradicate homelessness”, is a global question, one that can be addressed in a way that is inclusive of everyone. I believe that

1. An increase of compassion and patience is necessary.

2. People who are former clients of shelters that are not qualified should be taken out of position.

3. People who are college graduates with Master’s degrees should not be serving this population. Education and years of working with the population is not experience.

4. Former Clients compelled to work with the population that they came from who have proven that the system has worked for them should receive a free 2 year degree in Social Work, and/or Human Services from a Community College. Many of the degree requirements include working with alcohol/drug abuse group counseling, psychology and sociology classes. This empowers the former clients to create a line of professionalism, be effective but keep in touch with clients.

5. They need a “just because” budgeted program. For example, for an Entrepreneur who has not been a foster child, hasn’t been reported to Child Protective Services, hasn’t been physically beat (domestic violence victim) and who is not mentally unstable, can not get subsidized support in most places. If a business person loses everything and has no spouse, parent or friend to count on for a place to lay their head, they must overcome adversity without the supportive programs that are offered to others meeting the conditions above.

For a business person, especially if you have been a CEO actively, your resume could out-way the competition, and cause you to be overqualified. It will take longer for you to find something close to sustainable unless you’re connected. If Puff Daddy, and other CEO’s you know and love lost everything tomorrow, they would have a hard time getting a “corporate job”, without being a graduate of a Four-year or Six-year program..

These minor changes will increase the success of these programs, and decrease homelessness.

For the answer to the second question please look at the next blog.

http://www.facebook.com/ressurrectiongraves
http://www.ressurrection.wordpress.com

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