Vulnerable People and Places Blog

 Youth Homelessness is no joke.  Each year there is about 4.2 million youth and young adults have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives ranging from ages 13 all the way up to 25. The main causes of homelessness in teens are physical, emotional, or sexual abuse from their parents or guardians.  Some shocking numbers  - 46% physically abused - 38% emotionally abused - 17% unwanted sexual activity Main Causes: Family instability: Most homeless youth come from families that are fully unstable and have dangerous environments that involve abuse issues. Family Rejection: Some youth feel rejected by their own family and that could have to do with religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, beliefs, or conflicts with their personal choices. Aging out of foster care: some youth who are becoming too old for foster care aren't able to support themselves and often find themselves at a higher risk of being homeless. Substance abuse: Alcohol or drug use is a big problem among t

  Homelessness is a challenge faced by over 582,000 Americans all across the U.S. This is one of the biggest problems that we face in our world today. But what about feminine products? This is a problem that not a lot of people are talking about let alone doing anything about and here are some facts about this devastating issue  Here are 8 facts that you might not know!  1. Broad Impact: The issue of access to feminine hygiene products for homeless individuals is not limited to women; it affects both men and women, as well as everyone in the homeless person's life who lacks access to these products. 2. Health Hazards: The lack of access to proper feminine hygiene products leads to health hazards such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and other general infections. The use of makeshift products, often unsanitary, exacerbates these health risks. 3. Birth Control Challenges: Homeless mothers face challenges in birth control, with only 29% planning the birth of their first

 Homelessness: Breaking Stereotypes and Cultivating Empathy Homelessness is a widespread challenge impacting people from various backgrounds. Effectively tackling this issue involves questioning misconceptions and fostering understanding in society. By going beyond stereotypes and grasping the underlying causes, we can pave the way for meaningful solutions and support for those facing difficulties. To begin, aiming to dispel stereotypes about homelessness involves debunking the misconception that homelessness stems solely from personal choices or laziness. In truth, numerous factors, such as job loss, mental health challenges, domestic violence, and unaffordable housing, contribute to someone becoming homeless. It's not about laziness, instead, it's a systemic issue demanding comprehensive approaches for resolution. Moreover, it's vital to acknowledge that a person's worth is not defined by homelessness. Frequently, those facing homelessness encounter unfair stigmatizat

  Domestic Violence within the Homeless Community Source: Unsplash The Facts                                                                                          According to  Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 233,832 are people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the United States. Of the 233,832, 50,767 are families with children.  Currently, 30% of homeless people are adult women.  (portlandoregon.gov)   Bradley Angle , which works to support survivors of  domestic violence , reported that 70% of domestic violence reports are from homeless women. ( www.kgw.com)  Homeless women are 1/3 of the fastest growing populations HUD homeless populations. ( portlandoregon.gov)   Specifically, in Portland, Multnomah County has experienced a 20% rise in homelessness in 2023, the total amount of people homeless in Portland is currently  6,297 . (w illametteweek.com)                                                                     Source: Unsplash   The Problem        

       Age is an inevitability and there are some mental disabilities that will stick with people for their entire lives, creating challenges out of everyday tasks that the majority of Americans wouldn’t have a problem in the slightest, like cleaning themselves up after defecating. That is the reality for some people in America. As such, they need help going about their day to day lives in order to function.      So what are assisted living homes or known in some places as Residential Care Facilities (RCF)? They are places in which the government or some other organization provides aid to those who are disabled in some fashion by having workers help them in certain tasks, have food prepared for them and other similar acts. As such there are issues with these kinds of facilities as with any sort of shelter like services. The following are some issues that exist in the current government systems from people I personally know who are actively living in these group homes run by the state.