Become The Solution: Spread Awareness of Those Affected by Homelessness!

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Photo Credit: Ana Ramirez

Homelessness in America is an extremely complex issue that has no end all be all solution, instead there are many small ways that you can help those in need and be a part of the solution. One of the best ways to help is by spreading awareness of the issues that homeless people currently face. However, before you can achieve this you must first understand their situation.

The perception people have for the homeless is often negative. The standard assumption most people have is that those who are homeless are in that position because of their own poor choices or out of sheer laziness, which is often not the case. What people need to understand is that there are a number of different reasons why people become homeless, many of which are out of their control. For instance, addiction and mental health issues are a huge problem for many of the people currently homeless. Because of their conditions they are often unable to seek out employment, let alone maintain employment. Combine that with the ever rising costs of housing and it’s just inevitable that they’d have to live on the streets.


If you understand their struggles you can use that information to change people’s negative perception of homelessness to a more supportive and empathetic one. With more support you can continue to use the information to research ways to help those affected as well as motivate more people and even your local government to help take action.


- Jake Thorsen


Source: Understanding homelessness


Additional links with useful tips on how to help out your local homeless community:

https://blanchethouse.org/5-ways-to-help-the-homeless/ 

https://nationalhomeless.org/get-involved/

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