My My My how the tides have turned!!
Portions of our government have been so “gung-ho” on building a wall yet so reluctant in supplying funds to those in need, like the thousands who are poor and or homeless. Now the President has closed the government, turning his back on those who thought they were the most secure. These Federal workers are now facing the life the poor and are on the verge of homelessness. The emotion that everyone is expressing is disheartening, however where is this passion when we see people living out on the streets everyday? Are these calls for action being pressed for our fellow man dealing with homelessness? There are many organizations quickly coming to the aid of these federal workers, offering food and services, which is great, but this is needed year round. Doing for one another is how our society has grown into the nation it is today. Hand in Hand, Heart to Heart! Being broke is a temporary aspect of life. The government will reopen, checks will be delivered and many will go back to sleep in their warm bed relieved and unbothered. The homeless will still be on the street or fighting for a spot in a shelter. These people will still be in a dire need of love, care, and support. According to a study conducted by Johnetta Hardin & Diaane E. Wille, when asked what are the reasons many of those experiencing homelessness are in this situation the 3 top responses are the lack of income, addiction, and lack of family support. “On the night of January 23, 2018, 3,383 people were experiencing homelessness in Connecticut, this represents a 25% state wide decrease from 2007” (CCEH PIT, May 2018). In 2016 it was reported on January 23, 2016 that 549,928 individuals were experiencing homelessness. That number has remained relatively consistent today and is presumed to be far less than the actual number, is estimated to be over a million. There are 800,000 furloughed workers, all of which have been counted and are known to the masses. America, we have a problem! Being broke is temporary and for those furloughed Trump has a quick fix for it. On the other hand our chronically poor and homeless need services that must be developed to tackle the root causes of this dilemma. Funding for social services, not a wall. More jobs, less barriers!
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Being out on the streets is life or death and without shelter people die. There is amazing work transforming the lives of our people in need. A home is so crucial in making sure that one is protected from the elements that nature constantly exposes us to. New Story a charity that works to provide shelters in developing countries around the world, has teamed up with ICON to build sustainable homes with inexpensive materials. Technology has come so far, and 3D printing has becoming a new building block for architects . ICON has built a 3D printer called Vulcan that is able to build affordable home in 24 hours. The home has walls made with a concrete mixture for only $4,000 at 600 to 800 sq. feet.
At 7,500 people, the city of San Francisco has one of the largest homeless populations in America. There is a major need for affordable housing across the country and very few cities are tackling the issue head on. San Francisco’s Public transit (BART) Bay Area Rapid Transit is undergoing a major overhaul. With the transit system introducing hundreds of new train cars to improve the city’s transportation service, the agency will run out of room to store the old trains. This will give a great opportunity to utilize these old train cars as an alternative to constructed homes. Funds are needed for affordable housing communities. The skyrocketing home prices are driving up the homeless rate. A research study connected found that 8 out of 10 states with the highest homelessness rates also have the nation's highest median home prices. The homeless population is increasing and not enough is being done to decimate the issue. Other Housing Alternatives: *Bamboo House India *Transformed Bus *Shipping Container Complex Follow Us Author: Alfonso Holland Date: 1/14/2019 Everyone deals with life differently, therefore the way we manage circumstances attributes to our lives outcome. Poor mental and physical health are strong predictors of homelessness. Most often homeless individuals experience multiple risk factors and are unable to independently recover from these disparities. Suffering from a variety of mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorders becomes consuming and taxing on the psyche. These issues affect between 15% to 60% of the homeless population. Mental health may be a risk factor for homelessness, but homelessness is a risk factor for mental illness. Why do people choose to use drugs? Many would say the it's because they want to do it, when in-fact drugs are a coping mechanism for those dealing with physical or emotional pain. A lot of times it isn't that individuals want to use drugs, but they choose to do them as a way to substitute a substance-induced feeling of euphoria for the less mundane reality in which they live. The drugs are powerful chemical compounds that trigger a reward cascade within the brain of the user that is many times more powerful than regular reinforcers like food, water or sex. In short they make the user feel good. If something increases the individual's sense of pleasure or decreases his discomfort, then he/she is likely to repeat the behavior. How can we help? This is a complex question that has no definitive answer. There are many ways in which intervention can assist those dealing with substance abuse and addiction, but it takes a person centered approach to achieve it. Research has shown that those with an substance use disorder tend to live alone or lack interpersonal supports. Those that are dealing with substance abuse must be brought face-to-face with the reality of the disorder, be detoxified if necessary, and begin rehabilitation. (Sadock and Sadock, 2007) After an Intervention, the treatment process must begin rehabilitation to help address the substance abuse disorder. Treatment is not a fixed duration, it is a process by which the patient's progress and needs help to determine the duration and focus of the rehabilitation effort (lee-Lee & Gastfriend, 2008). The care of our loved ones will be ongoing as they are surviving the pain of life in the free world. #AMERICA Follow Us Our youth are our future, but without direction they become lost. It is imperative that we support those in need, especially our younger population. Research reports a lack of family support is a risk factor for homelessness. Giving guidance and mentorship is key during childhood and adolescence. This connection gives a sense of Belonging by building long term relationships. Fostering long term relationships allows for continuous encouragement to follow through with goals and achieve Mastery of both long and short term. Mentors allow for the youth to leave home and experience Independence in the outside environment. This allows for the youth to find and be themselves without strict parental influence. A mentor is caring and values their mentee. Showcasing the value of Generosity exemplifies a great persona to be mimicked.
A child needs constant and consistent guidance. This will in turn foster a lasting relationship that the youth will come to cherish, but also expect. Once expectations are made, we as adults are responsible for meeting and executing upon those expectations. Promises must be kept, or the youth will begin to resent you because promises are rarely forgotten. Lies cause a mental pain that resembles a physical injury to the brain. Remember emotional health is key in raising a confident, well mannered young man or woman. Click On Mentorship For Shawn Blanchard's Ted Talks Click On Trauma Affects Health for Nadine Burke Harris Ted Talks When you are at point where you can't manage your pain, who can you turn to?
From 1999 to 2017, the drug overdose death rate among women 30 to 64 years old climbed more than 260%, according to the report published Thursday. Among women between the ages of 30 to 64, the drug overdose death rate increased from 6.7 deaths per 100,000 people, or 4,314 deaths total, in 1999 to 24.3 per 100,000, or 18,110 deaths total, in 2017. (NVSS, 2019) The comfort of family support, which is a building block of structure for many is missing by those plagued by addiction. According to a study, women were more likely to report that addiction was a cause of their homelessness. (Edens et al, 2011) We as a people need to be less judgmental and more helpful in eradicating this epidemic. These drugs harm our families and shatter our minds creating issues that no-one really wants. Drug addiction counseling is a needed service in order for those who are affected to be contributing members of society and to be comfortable with themselves. Shelters across America are holding predominately women and children. Many of those utilizing these temporary homes are there due to domestic abuse. It is hard raising children alone when income is low is the cost of living is so high. Our men need to step up and be father's to their children and supportive of the mothers who raise them. Men dealing with issues of their own also need support and it is important that they seek it. Projecting your anger on to someone else isn't fair or necessary. When mental issues and addiction are at play it is time to get counseling or join a support group. Abuse is unnecessary whether it would be "patriarchal terrorism" or "common couple violence". Both of which create an unhealthy environment for both parties including children most of all. A child shouldn't grow to bear a Woman's Pain. Click on ADDICTION to read the Full Article. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that New York City will be implementing a new program that will grant health care to all of its residents. That means those 600,000 residents who are currently without health insurance will be able to see physician's and receive needed medical treatment. "Healthcare is a RIGHT not a Privilege!" New York is setting the bar and leading the way our great nation should be headed, it is time that everyone follows-suit. Regardless of immigration status or ability to pay every New Yorker will have comprehensive access to care.
It comes a time that we must think outside the box and really understand the viewpoint from the individual. It has become a custom to place individuals whom are homeless in shelters and then maybe into transitional homes, which are basically "group homes". These are not apartments where people have their own space, which we all deserve. Individuals who have been homeless are resilient and are very adaptable, but we want to build people who are independent and thriving in the community, not feeling as if they are burdens. Mental health and addiction services come after a home has been secured, then other needs can be met. We need to build a community and this initiative to build tiny homes for veterans is a great idea. This needs to be expanded and utilized for not only those people, but all who can't afford the high rent costs and needs affordable housing.
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